Free Web NovelChapter 140: Chapter 140: Playing Me for a Fool?
Cecelia: "..."
’The Vaughn Family is rich and powerful. If they want to buy something, they can certainly afford it. What right do I have to complain?’
’I was just asking. Why is Mrs. Vaughn having such an extreme reaction?’
"That’s not what I meant. I mean..."
"If that’s not what you meant, then let’s get going. I haven’t been back to my family’s home in over a decade. Don’t I have to get a gift for everyone? We’ve barely scratched the surface. Come on, hurry up."
Cecelia followed them to another clothing boutique.
Just as Mrs. Vaughn had said, she bought an outfit for every female relative on her side of the family, adding another seven or eight bags to the collection.
"Auntie, how about this? I’ll have the driver come up and take these things down to the car first."
"He’s a man. He never comes to places like this and doesn’t know any of these brands. He’d never find us even if he came up. Why don’t you just take them down? We’ll go on ahead. Just leave the stuff here and take your time. If you can’t get it all in one trip, make two. Good girl, thank you for your trouble."
Mrs. Vaughn offered a few half-hearted words of praise before linking arms with Gwen Morgan and walking off again.
Cecelia stared at the pile of boxes on the floor, so furious she wanted to call Damien Vaughn and complain.
’But calling a man to complain about his own mother... especially when I’m not officially his anything yet? Is that really appropriate?’
It took three trips back and forth to get all the boxes into the car. Her high heels had rubbed her heels raw, and it hurt so much that Cecelia didn’t want to take another step.
The driver saw how exhausted she was and gallantly offered to help.
"Young Madam, why don’t you rest in the car? I can go with Mrs. Vaughn and the others. I’ve got the strength for it."
Cecelia thought it was a great idea. She gave him their approximate location, took off her shoes, and prepared to rest in the car for a bit.
But just a few minutes after the driver had left, she got a call from Mrs. Vaughn.
"We were supposed to be having a mother-and-daughter-in-law shopping day. What’s this about you waiting in the car? If Damien finds out, he’ll think we’re fighting again. Get up here. Now."
With no other choice, Cecelia went back into the mall.
The first thing she did when she got inside was buy herself a new pair of shoes.
Even though the prices here were exorbitant and she really didn’t want to waste the money, it was better than completely ruining her feet.
After looking around, she chose the cheapest pair she could find, which still cost over 17,000. Wincing at the cost, Cecelia carried her old shoes and went to find Mrs. Vaughn.
Just as she approached a boutique, she heard Mrs. Vaughn deep in conversation with another wealthy socialite.
"I heard Damien has a girlfriend and that it’s going quite well. You must have come back to the country because a wedding is on the horizon, right? Congratulations, Jessica! Damien is so smart and capable, and now you’re about to become a mother-in-law and hold a grandchild soon. You’ve truly won at life! I’m dying of envy."
Mrs. Vaughn replied, "Oh, really? It hasn’t been long since Damien got a girlfriend, but you already know about it? You seem to be keeping a close eye on him."
"Of course! We may not have seen each other much these past few years, but I practically watched Damien grow up. Who else would I pay attention to? So, who’s the girlfriend? My son just said she’s very beautiful, but he didn’t know which family the young lady is from..."
"Mindy Thorne. You shouldn’t be asking questions like that. My daughter-in-law will get upset if she hears you. She’s standing right in front of you."
The socialite, Mindy Thorne, froze for a second, then quickly looked at Gwen Morgan.
"Oh, so it’s her! No wonder! You two seem so close—hugging, laughing, and chatting away. I never would have guessed you were mother-and-daughter-in-law; I thought you were best friends... My apologies, really! Oh, but she is certainly beautiful. And the more I look at her, the more familiar she seems... Look at me, my memory is failing me. Why can’t I place her?"
"It’s not your fault."
At the praise directed at Gwen Morgan, Mrs. Vaughn was visibly delighted and patted Mindy Thorne’s hand.
"Gwen did her undergrad and graduate studies abroad. She hasn’t been back for years and only just returned, so it’s perfectly normal that you don’t recognize her at first."
"Gwen? Why does that name sound so familiar too? Let me think... Don’t tell me she’s the Morgan family’s daughter, Gwen Morgan? Oh, my heavens! Look how much she’s grown! It’s true what they say—a young woman blossoms. She’s getting more and more beautiful, even prettier than her mother was in her youth! I wouldn’t have dared to recognize her if you hadn’t told me!"
Although Mindy Thorne was no longer young, the level of deference and flattery she directed at Mrs. Vaughn was off the charts. It was so sycophantic that Cecelia found it rather pathetic to watch.
"Before I ran into you, I was just wondering what lucky girl could possibly marry a brilliant young man like Damien and get a mother-in-law as young and beautiful as you. Now I see it could only be Gwen."
"She and Damien are childhood sweethearts, and the Morgans have been your friends for years—it’s a match made in heaven! Jessica, you have to invite me to the wedding feast. When’s the big day? And where? You have to give me a heads-up."
Mrs. Vaughn laughed. "I’m afraid I can’t reveal that just yet. You know Damien—he’s very particular about how he does things. We have to respect the children’s wishes."
"Right, right. Well, let’s exchange contact info. Let me be the first to know when you can share the details." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Then came the ritual of pulling out phones to exchange contact information.
Seeing Mrs. Vaughn publicly acknowledge Gwen Morgan as her daughter-in-law and imply a wedding with Damien Vaughn was imminent, Cecelia stood frozen for a few seconds before turning and walking back to the shoe store.
"Excuse me, these shoes are a little uncomfortable. Can I return them?"
"I’m sorry, ma’am, but unless there’s a quality defect, we don’t accept returns or exchanges once an item is sold."
’A brand this big, and they’re this petty about their business?’
Cecelia didn’t know where this sudden surge of anger came from.
"If they’re uncomfortable to wear, isn’t that a problem with your product’s quality? Even shoes from the wholesale market that cost a few dozen bucks have a seven-day, no-questions-asked return policy! I’m not going to waste my breath on you. Get your manager out here. If I don’t get a refund today, I’ll file a formal complaint and blast you all over the internet!"
Seeing she wasn’t someone to be trifled with, the staff scurried over to whisper with the store manager before reluctantly processing her refund.
Cecelia stared at the 17,000 returned to her account on her phone, but her mood didn’t improve in the slightest. She got back in her high heels and CLACK-CLACK-CLACKED her way back to the car.
The driver was surprised to see her back so soon.
"Young Madam, why are you..."
"My feet hurt. I really can’t walk anymore. Just take me home first. You can come back for them later."
"Is that what Mrs. Vaughn wants?"
"Yes!"
The driver started the car.
They had only been driving for a few minutes when Cecelia’s phone rang again. She snatched it up and saw it was a call from Mrs. Vaughn.
’She’s probably calling to ask why I haven’t returned to my post as their servant girl.’
Cecelia let out a cold laugh and turned off her phone.
When she got home, the Old Master and Candy were playing in the grand hall. Seeing Cecelia return alone, the Old Master asked with concern,
"Why are you back so soon? Didn’t you buy anything? Where’s your mother-in-law?"
Cecelia took off her shoes and showed him the raw, broken skin on her heels.
"She has Gwen Morgan with her. My shoes were killing me, so I came back early. I guess I’m just not cut out for the finer things in life. I can’t wear such delicate items or shop in those fancy malls. I’d rather stay home and keep you company."
"Grandpa, thank you for the hard work of watching the child all this time. Let me give you a leg massage."
