Sarah


    My expression darkened as the vehicle passed the woman outside Serenity Pines, my mind preupied with the urge to splurge. It had been too long since I treated myself, and with uing business engagements and travel ns, I knew I needed to indulge. Before long, we reached Eternal Elegance’s boutique.


    In the grand lobby, we were met with a scene straight out of a magazine. Socialites filled the space, lounging on luxurious couches and carefully flipping through glossy brochures. The air was rich with the scent of pricey perfumes and the soft murmurs of the well-to-do. Amidst them, I spotted Reba with Megan.


    “Goodness gracious!” Jane muttered as she caught sight of the evil duo. “Four o’clock…” she murmured.


    As the two approached us, Reba’s disdain was palpable. “Well, well… Can you believe it, Megan? They let trash in here now,” she sneered, a smirk ying on her lips.


    “Really? Funny you mention that, considering you’re the one I see,” Jane retorted.


    Reba gritted her teeth.


    “What?” Jane’s petite frame straightened, ring at her cousin.


    “Listen up, Jane,” Reba spat, her tone dripping with malice. “Your dad cut you off. You’re broke. You can’t even afford a tissue here, let alone anything else!”


    “Oh, is that so?” Jane scoffed, brandishing her ck card from Chanel purse. “It looks like you’re misinformed, dear cousin. My brother lent me his ck card. So, I can buy whatever I want!”


    Reba’s eyes narrowed.


    “And aren’t your family facing financial ruin?” Megan chimed in, “And yet, you’re here splurging while Luminary Productions is facing a lot of things. How… irresponsible!”


    “That’s none of your concern, Megan,” I interjected, drawing her attention.


    She turned to me; her tone usatory. “And you, just because you’re warming Mr. Benner’s bed doesn’t mean you can afford even a single piece in this ce!”


    Jane bristled, ready to correct her misconception about my rtionship with Amir, but I held her back.


    “I suppose it’s a unique experience when a scum won’t stop chattering,” I remarked casually, noting the hushed murmurs that encircled us.


    “What?!” Megan snapped. My words hit her hard, and for a moment, I thought she might attack me, forgetting all about manners.


    “Megan, let’s not forget, you reside in Serenity Pines Estate-my private vi. So, I suppose it’s worth pondering who the true scum and squatter might be, isn’t it?”


    “You, absolute bitch!” she spat, her lips twisted in a fake smile, but her teeth ground together.


    “Come on, Megan. Let’s not waste another moment with these ssless women,” Reba dered, ushering her friend away from us.


    Jane continued her attempts to intimidate her cousin, but I shook my head in response.


    Emerging from the most secure area of the boutique, the staff delivered an announcement: “Good afternoon, esteemeddies! I’m pleased to announce that Miss Azure is now ready to wee her most exclusive clients. If you’re lucky enough to have a tinum ticket, pleasee forward.”


    The jeweler, situated on the second floor, boasted tighter security measures.


    “Let’s go!” I urged Jane, making our way towards the assistant.


    I sensed stares from the otherdies, filled with envy, resentment, and reluctant admiration. They knew Jane well as a member of the Cornell Family. To them, Jane’s presence was expected, as if it were her natural ce.


    Reba intercepted us, followed closely by Megan. “And just where do you think you’re going?” she demanded.


    Ignoring their intrusion, I handed the assistant the long, thick, tinum ticket. “Here.”


    Megan’s eyes grew wide, but it was Reba who lost it.


    “T-this… it can’t be!” she stammered, her face twisting in an unattractive way. “That woman! She… she must have taken that ticket from me! It’s mine, I tell you!” Reba used vehemently.


    I stared at her, momentarily stunned by the sheer audacity of her usation. This woman was ultimately out of control.


    Themotion drew the attention of every woman in the boutique and shifted their attention towards us.


    “Is it true, Miss?” the staff inquired, nked by two security guards. “Miss Azure said only two tinum tickets were distributed here at Hignd Hills.”


    “See!” Reba dered, her chin sticking out boldly. “I’m one of them! Azure herself gave me a tinum ticket, and now it’s missing!”


    The assistant turned to me, seeking rification. “Tell me your name, miss?”


    “I’m Sarah Mitchell.”


    “That’s right! She’s an orphan and doesn’t even have the means to buy your cheapest jewelry here. Having a tinum ticket is impossible for her, don’t you think?” Megan interjected.


    “That’s right! If she could steal a ticket, who’s to say she won’t take the jewelry upstairs? She’s crazy! Give me back that ticket now, you lunatic!” Reba eximed, causing a stir among the onlookers, who began murmuring amongst themselves.


    Megan stepped forward to support her friend Reba and addressed the assistant. “We’re not backing down! Do you know what you’re doing? Letting in a thief, stealing a tinum ticket? Is that how little you care about your job at Eternal Elegance?”


    The assistant whispered to the guard beside her, who promptly went inside.


    My lips twitch upward in amusement.


    Jane scoffed, “Miss Assistant, you can’t seriously believe these two? They’ve been annoying us since we arrived. They might be the ones who took our stuff!”


    Reba raised an eyebrow. “I am Reba Cornell! A socialite in this town! Who else would Azure give a tinum ticket to?”


    I chuckled and asked, “Are you sure, Reba?”


    “Absolutely! I’d stake my name on it! You stole that ticket from me!” she insisted.


    “Reba, the Cornell family is already mired in scandal. Do you really want to add to your disgrace?” I countered.


    “Both of you, stop! You’re not just keeping Azure waiting. You’re wasting other customers’ time!” an irate woman snapped.


    Everyone chimed in, agreeing with her.


    “using me of stealing what is rightfully mine is unforgivable!” I dered, producing the envelope that apanied my tinum ticket. Before I could continue, a woman in her fifties emerged from the dark ss door.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    “What’s going on here?” It was Azure.


    The assistant, looking slightly embarrassed, stepped forward. “Ma’am, I apologize for the disturbance. Miss Reba Cornell is using thisdy of stealing a tinum ticket.”


    Azure raised an eyebrow. Reba trembled but tried to remainposed. “Miss Azure, how lovely to see you! I’m Reba Cornell, the rightful owner of that tinum ticket.”


    “I do recall giving a tinum ticket to another Cornell…” Azure smiled slightly before turning to me. “Miss Sarah. I apologize for the inconvenience. It seems some people will go to any extreme…”


    A murmur rippled through the crowd. “Did you hear that?”


    “Azure knows Sarah Mitchell personally,” a bystander whispered.


    Reba’s face paled, her designer makeup failing to hide her shock. Her voice trembled. “Y-you… you know that orphan? This is impossible!”


    “What’s truly impossible is your audacity to use me of theft!” I retorted. “That tinum ticket came to me this afternoon with this envelope.” I waved the rectangle envelope right in her face. “Oops, it says, ‘Invitation to Miss Sarah Mitchell.’ Are you Sarah Mitchell?”


    Reba’s carefully painted lips parted in shock. People were whispering, and some people shook their heads, feeling sorry or showing disapproval.


    I added, “Of course, you don’t know the name on the tinum ticket because you never actually had one.”


    Panic shed in Reba’s eyes. Her eyes darted around, searching for a way out. Then, like someone drowning, she grabbed onto a quick excuse.


    “No! I’m sorry. I was just surprised to see the tinum ticket with Sarah. Miss Azure, I’m really sorry. I am the other person you gave a tinum ticket to. I am a Cornell. I-I just thought the one given to Sarah was actually mine.”


    “You don’t know what you’re talking about, do you?” Azure’s usually warm gaze now looked icy, sounding disappointed and scornful.


    Reba trembled as she tried to hold back tears. She looked to Megan for support, but her friend had stepped back, avoiding eye contact.


    Azure continued, “I don’t give tinum tickets to just anyone.”


    A cruel but brilliant idea sparked in my mind. “Miss Azure, if you don’t mind, could I also bring Miss Reba Cornell inside? As a former rtive, I feel I should extend some courtesy. Maybe she’s interested in a specific item and worries someone with a tinum ticket might buy it before she can.”


    “Of course, Ms. Mitchell. You’re kind. Not everyone would be so forgiving after a mix-up like that,” the jewelermented.


    “Thank uster, bitch!” Jane snapped, rolling her eyes at Reba.


    “How about you, Megan? Wanna join?” I asked.


    These women must see what I have! I n to buy something other than a simple piece of jewelry. They must know how crazy rich I am.


    But I didn’t expect Philip to ruin my n.