Adrienne picked up Noah and Scarlet from school before stopping by a shopping mall to et her mother-in-law and Lennox. However, since she and the children arrived an hour earlier than planned, they decided to explore the mall and do so window shopping.
As they walked around, Adrienne noticed a new boutique that had just opened and suggested they check it out. It was a luxury bag store with a stunning display of designer handbags in the window.
The store had an elegant and inviting atmosphere, making Adrienne curious to see what they had to offer. Intrigued, she left Noah in Irina’s care, and she and Scarlet went inside, eager to browse the collection. She wondered if she could find an interesting piece she could give Myrtle on her birthday.
The store assistants greeted them with a smile. One of them recognized Adrienne and couldn’t help but comnt on her impeccable taste in fashion. They ntioned that the boutique had recently received a shipnt of limited-edition bags from a renowned designer, sparking Adrienne’s interest even more. She couldn’t resist the temptation and asked to see the exclusive collection, hoping to find a unique piece that would make a statent.
anwhile, Scarlett looked nervous as she looked at the tag prices of the bags. Her brother had warned her about spending too much money on luxury items, teaching her and her siblings how to spend wisely. They received monthly allowances from Lennox from his own pocket, which made Scarlett feel even more guilty about splurging.
Her schoolmates knew she was Lennox Qin’s younger sister, and Scarlet often felt pressure to live up to the family’s reputation. Everyone seed to notice what she had and what she was wearing. She didn’t want to be seen as soone who only cared about material possessions and was content with what Lennox and Adrienne had given her.
However, Scarlett was also like other young girls around her age. She enjoyed browsing through fashion magazines and following the latest trends. She enjoyed experinting with different styles and expressing herself through her outfits.
Scarlett also liked Adrienne’s unique sense of fashion and admired how effortlessly she could put together stylish looks. She often found herself seeking Adrienne’s advice on how to incorporate certain pieces into her own wardrobe.
"Tell if there’s sothing you like. I’ll buy it for you," Adrienne told her young sister-in-law, knowing Scarlett was hesitant to spend her money on expensive fashion items.
"But Addie..." Scarlett hesitated, not wanting Adrienne to argue with her elder brother because of her.
"It’s alright," Adrienne patted Scarlett’s shoulder. "I’m sure your brother wouldn’t mind buying you and Noah a few gifts. Now, go. We wouldn’t want Noah to wait for us for too long. You can also choose one for Sam."
Scarlett’s face lit up, and she imdiately parted with Adrienne to look around the store, particularly to check the section for young adults. As soon as the young girl left, a sharp laugh rang behind Adrienne.
"I’m not sure if Mr. Qin has taken a wife, or did he marry you to beco his siblings’ nanny, Addie?"
Adrienne’s smile imdiately vanished. She recognized Sierra’s voice. She turned around, found her cousin with Elise, and gave them a blank look.
"Sierra. Elise."
She hadn’t seen these two for quite so ti, but Adrienne could see that Sierra’s arrogance remained despite her family’s financial trouble. As for Elise, her stepsister looked just as aloof and distant as ever.
Adrienne felt hostility towards them both, knowing they had always looked down on her, even when they were younger. Nevertheless, she composed herself and replied calmly, "It’s none of your business why I married Mr. Qin. And I certainly didn’t beco a nanny for anyone."
Sierra scoffed and gave Adrienne a head-to-toe look.
"Look at you. Since the Zhao family adopted you and you married Lennox Qin, you think you’re better than us," Sierra sneered. "But let remind you, Adrienne, you’ll always be just a nobody."
The store assistant following Adrienne earlier looked embarrassed on Adrienne’s behalf, but she also admired how Adrienne looked unfazed by Sierra’s harsh words.
However, to everyone’s surprise, Adrienne smiled coldly and said, "Well, look at you."
She then paused and gave Sierra a dismissive glance before continuing, "The last ti I saw you, you were dressed in clothes you could possibly afford, and now you are one step away from being a beggar. It seems Uncle cannot afford to buy you new clothes for the season nowadays."
Sierra’s face imdiately turned red. It wasn’t a secret that as soon as the Jiang Corporation filed for bankruptcy, Sierra’s family suffered a massive blow to their finances. Sierra clenched her fists, trying to maintain her composure. She knew that her family’s financial struggles were not sothing to be ashad of, but the sting of her cousin’s words still cut deep.
Adrienne used to be below her and Ayla. When people talked about the Jiang family’s granddaughters, they always said that Ayla was the prettiest and Sierra was the smartest. Adrienne followed them around like a lost puppy, always seeking validation and recognition from her and Ayla.
However, it wasn’t the case now. Adrienne was now known as the most successful and accomplished mber of the Jiang family. n adored her beauty, while won admired her resilience. She wasn’t the lesser ’cousin’ anymore, as everyone considered her the precious treasure the Jiang family failed to see.
"It’s funny how you still feel the need to put others down to make yourself feel better." Adrienne continued, her cold eyes looking at her cousin with mockery. "But let assure you, Sierra, that my worth is not defined by your opinion of . In fact, I don’t give a damn about what you think. You don’t deserve my ti at all."
"Don’t cross the line, Addie. Sierra was just joking," Elise said for the first ti. Her voice trembled slightly, revealing her discomfort with the tense situation. However, her attempt to diffuse the tension fell on deaf ears as Adrienne’s gaze remained fixed on Sierra, unyielding and unforgiving.
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