Chapter 452


    Chapter 452


    If Neil was still the sharp-witted man I knew, he would easily discern the disbelief in my eyes.


    Did he really need to ask? He should have just declined and exined that we were not a married


    couple, let alone a family.


    But it was Hiram who spoke up. The boy looked pretty miffed as he told the saleswoman, “Lady, you’re


    making things up. She’s not my mom, but this man here is my dad!”


    Hiram shot me a nce and pouted, clearly upset.


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    The saleswoman seemed taken aback, probably trying to piece together the situation in her head. But


    whatever conclusion she came to did not seem favorable, as she suddenly looked at me disdainfully


    and exchanged a knowing nce with her colleague.


    “Oh, we see. Our mistake!” they retracted their family portrait offer and turned to leave.


    I didn’t dwell on it and continued walking forward, while Neil and Hiram trailed behind me.


    Given my proximity to the saleswomen, I overheard some of their hushed talk.


    “Such a woman, really…”


    “Exactly, the man is parading his child around, but she doesn’t feel embarrassed?”


    “Look at that man, handsome and wealthy-looking. She must be a homewrecker who was after him!”


    They nced back at me and quickly sped up their pace when they noticed my stern gaze.


    Did they think they could just insult me and leave?


    “Hold it!” My voice was cold and clear, loud enough for both of them to hear.


    They did stop, but only to shoot me a look before continuing on their way, their strides getting quicker.


    Their studio was just up ahead.


    As they were about to enter, I quickened my pace and blocked their path.


    Neil, noticing the scene, brought Hiram over. “What’s going on?”


    “What did you two just say about me? Say it again.” I didn’t answer Neil, but turned my fierce gaze on


    the two saleswomen.


    “We didn’t say anything!” Their denial was synchronized.


    “If you continue to deny what I clearly heard, I’ll have to call the police.” I was adamant. It was one thing


    to be mistaken as Neil’s wife, but being called a homewrecker was uneptable!


    The mention of the police caught them off guard. It seemed like a petty thing to involve the authorities


    in.


    Our quarrel at the entrance drew the attention of the studio manager. Understandably, it was bad for


    business.


    “What’s going on here, I and Katara?” The manager approached us.


    “Mr. Mark, this woman is causing trouble for us!” I, one of the saleswomen, pointed at me. “We just


    offered them a family portrait and she refused. Then she started following us, using us of things!”


    “That’s right, Mr. Mark. We have no idea what we did to upset thisdy.” Katara chimed in.


    Their disdain for me, the “homewrecker”, was evident.


    I understood the general distaste for mistresses, but I wouldn’t tolerate being wrongfully used. I


    looked at Mr. Mark. “You’re the manager here, right? Your employees have been ndering me. I have


    only one request: fire them both!”


    Hearing my demand, Mr. Mark’s polite demeanor changed instantly. “Lady, aren’t you being a bit


    unreasonable?”


    Mr. Mark was a man of average height, slightly overweight. He stepped closer to me, creating an


    intimidating atmosphere.


    “What do you think you’re doing?” Neil stepped in front of me, his imposing figure much more


    intimidating than Mr. Mark’s. Seeing Neil step up, Mr. Mark quickly reverted to his formal, polite


    demeanor. “Sir, it seems there’s been a misunderstanding between thatdy and our staff. We just


    want to rify things. May I ask what your rtion to her is?”


    As soon as he questioned my rtionship with Neil, the two saleswomen started exchanging their


    knowing nces, which only fueled


    my anger.


    “This is my ex-husband. Your employees just called me a homewrecker. If they do not apologize and


    resign, I will take legal action.” I was stern, with no intention of a peaceful conversation.


    “Is that so? They must have misunderstood. How about this. I’ll have them apologize, and if you ever


    want to take photos here or get remarried, we’ll give you a 20% discount. Is that eptable?” Mr. Mark


    seemed unperturbed, as if my anger was of no concern to him.


    Neil turned to me, and I clenched my teeth, my eyes zing.


    “Firstly, they apologize to her. Secondly, you fire them.” Neil spoke slowly, his voice calm but assertive.


    “Sir, we must be reasonable here.” Mr. Mark started to argue.


    Neil was not the type to put up with nonsense. He interrupted, “Do you want a reasonable discussion,


    or do you want to close this ce down?”


    Mr. Mark paused, apparently not understanding what Neil meant.


    Once he caught on, heughed. “You must not know our studio’s reputation in Eldoria. We’re the


    biggest studio here, in business for 20 years. Our boss has extensive connections and resources. How


    could we possibly go out of business?”


    People like him always court disaster. He was boasting without knowing who Neil was, and they were


    clearly in the wrong with no intention to apologize.


    If Neil and I were still married, it would be normal for him to step in. But we weren’t, and I wanted to


    handle my own issues.


    “Let’s go.” I nced at the studio’s entrance, remembering its name, and turned to Neil.


    “Still mad?” What Neil cared about the most was whether I was still upset.


    “Let me handle it,” I said, shaking my head. Then I turned and walked away. Even though it felt a bit


    frustrating at the moment, I didn’t want to owe Neil any more favors.


    Just as I was leaving, I could still hear that Mr. Mark’s mockingughter.