Chapter 36: Mistaken identity

Words : 1272 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 36: Mistaken identity "Of course, ma’am. Please, this way." The red-haired one gracefully led her toward the designer dress section, while the other two discreetly slipped away to arrange refreshments. The salesgirl gestured toward a dazzling array of dresses. "These are our newest arrivals—" But Tania wasn’t listening. Her eyes had drifted past the mannequins and clothing racks, landing on a familiar figure across the store. Anne. A sharp, fiery resentment ignited in her chest. The sting of Denis’s cold, humiliating words came rushing back, tightening around her like a vice. Her plan to drive Anne out of Denis’s life had failed, and frustration clawed at her composure. But so what if it hadn’t worked? There were always other ways - ways to put Anne in her place. Her lips curled into a sneer as she muttered, "Why do they let people of such low status enter this shop? It’s a disgrace." The salesgirl followed her gaze, spotting Anne and Audrey browsing nearby in the men’s section. She had already taken note of them earlier. When she had approached them with an offer to showcase the latest collections, they had simply brushed her off, insisting they would browse alone. Their indifference had irked her, but now, hearing Tania’s remark, she was quick to form an opinion. "They’re not going to buy anything," she said with disdain. "Just here to loiter and look around. Don’t worry, ma’am. I’ll handle it." She strode toward Anne and Audrey. Tania’s lips curled into a smirk. "This is going to be fun." Just then, the other two salesgirls returned, carrying a tray with a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and a small platter of golden, crispy snacks. They approached her with bright smiles. "Ma’am, please have a seat and enjoy the refreshments," one of them said politely. Tania raised a brow, slightly taken aback. "Oh... I don’t need all this." She waved a hand dismissively. "This is complimentary, ma’am," the other salesgirl assured her. Her surprise deepened. ’This shop truly knows how to treat its elite customers,’ Tania mused. A small smirk touched her lips. ’Fine, I’ll indulge their hospitality.’ With an air of casual grace, she picked up the glass of juice and took a sip. Settling onto the plush sofa, she crossed her legs and watched the unfolding scene with sharp eyes. Meanwhile, outside the boutique, a man in a sleek black suit was about to step inside, his sharp gaze scanning the store through the glass. He had been keeping a discreet eye on Anne, ready to intervene if needed. But just as he was about to push the door open, his phone vibrated in his pocket. The unexpected call made him halt mid-stride. He stepped back, turning on his heel as he accepted the call and moved away. Anne felt a nervous chill creep down her spine as her eyes darted to the price tags on the lavishly displayed items. Each number she saw sent a wave of regret through her—everything was far beyond her budget. "Audrey, it’s too expensive here," she whispered urgently, tugging at her friend’s sleeve. "Let’s leave." Audrey, however, seemed unfazed, her attention fully occupied by the collection of wrist watches in front of her. "Relax, Anne... Just look around," she replied casually, her fingers skimming through the selection as she tried to find the perfect one for her boyfriend. Anne sighed, realizing that leaving immediately wouldn’t be easy. Instead, she decided to browse the ties. As her gaze swept over the neatly arranged display, a particular emerald green tie caught her eye. Just as she reached out to pick it up, a sharp voice interrupted her. "Are you planning to take this?" The red-haired salesgirl stood there haughty, her arms folded as she eyed Anne with barely concealed disdain. Anne blinked in surprise, momentarily at a loss for words. Before she could respond, Audrey snapped, "What’s your problem? We’re still looking. If we like something, we’ll buy it." The salesgirl sneered. "You two have been browsing for quite a while but haven’t picked anything yet. It seems like you’re not here to shop at all. If you’re just here to window-shop, I’d suggest you go elsewhere. Your presence is disturbing our customers." Anne felt a spark of anger flare within her. The blatant arrogance, the condescending attitude—it was unacceptable. "Is this how you treat your customers?" she retorted. "With this kind of behavior, you’re ruining the reputation of this store." The salesgirl’s face twisted in irritation, but she quickly recovered, letting out a derisive scoff. "Fine. I won’t argue," she said snidely. "So, have you finally chosen something? If you have, I’ll take you to the billing counter." Anne met her gaze unflinchingly. "Yes," she said, lifting the emerald green tie she had set her heart on. The salesgirl smirked, pressing a finger over her lips as if suppressing a laugh. "Tie? That’s all you managed to pick after wandering around for nearly half an hour?" Before Anne or Audrey could respond, another voice chimed in, sharper and laced with biting sarcasm. "I highly doubt they can even afford that." Anne’s stomach clenched as she turned toward the voice. Tania. ’Why is she everywhere?’ Tania strutted forward, exuding the same smug superiority she always carried. Her gaze swept over Anne and Audrey before settling on the emerald green tie in Anne’s hands. She let out a condescending chuckle. "Anne, you do realize this isn’t the kind of store where you can just stroll in and pick whatever you like, right? Everything here is expensive. You can’t afford it." Her eyes flicked down to the tie. "Put it down. If you damage it, you’ll have to pay for it." Before Anne could react, the salesgirl seized the tie from her hands with a scornful expression. "Don’t touch it with your dirty hands." Audrey bristled instantly, stepping forward in outrage. "Hey! What kind of behavior is this? You have no right to treat us like this. I want to speak to your manager." Tania, unfazed by the confrontation, folded her arms and turned her glare toward Anne. "Take your friend and leave," she ordered coldly. "You’re only humiliating yourself." Anne, who had initially wanted to avoid trouble and leave quietly, felt something shift inside her. No. Not this time. Straightening her shoulders, she took a firm step forward. "Why should we leave?" she challenged. "We came here to buy something. No one has the right to throw us out." Audrey pulled out a sleek black card from her handbag and held it up for everyone to see. "And why do you assume we can’t afford anything here? I have a membership card." The smirk on the salesgirl’s face faltered, her earlier arrogance crumbling in an instant. She had never expected that an ordinary-looking woman—someone she had so easily dismissed—would possess a membership card meant exclusively for the elite. Her colleague hurried over, leaning in to whisper urgently, "Why are you messing with them? What if she is the boss’s wife? We’ve never seen her before, have we?" The words sent a jolt through her, momentarily shaking her confidence. Her fingers tightened over the fabric of her uniform as doubt crept in. Could it be true? Had she just insulted someone important? But then her gaze flicked to Tania, who stood with an air of unquestionable superiority. That look alone was enough to snap the salesgirl out of her hesitation. No. She forced away the uncertainty. "The boss’s wife wouldn’t be someone so... plain," she muttered under her breath. "We haven’t made a mistake."

Chapter 36: Mistaken identity

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