Isabella slammed a black credit card onto the counter with force.
Sophia, attempting to ease the tension, suggested softly, “Isabella, since Mrs. Blackwood likes it, perhaps you could let her have it?”
Victoria immediately approved of Sophia’s words, patting her hand. “Sophia, you’re so reasonable, unlike some who lack any sense of propriety.” She shot a scornful look at Isabella.
Hearing their comments, Isabella scoffed. “Why should I? I chose this bag first.”
The sales assistant, caught in the middle, tried to clarify. “Ma’am, this lady did select the bag first…”
Victoria’s expression darkened. “If I want something, it should be mine. If I say I’m buying it, she should step aside.”
Undeterred, Isabella held Victoria’s glare. “I’ve already decided to purchase this bag. I’m not giving it up.”
She then handed her bank card to the sales assistant. “Please, proceed with the transaction.”
The sales assistant, eager to avoid any further commotion, quickly took Isabella’s card to process the payment.
Victoria, seething with anger, trembled as she pointed at Isabella. “You… you…” As Isabella neared her victory, Sophia was determined not to let her win easily. Scanning the area quickly, Sophia hatched a plan.
“Ow!” she exclaimed suddenly, stumbling toward Isabella.
Caught off guard, Isabella wobbled, nearly losing her grip on the bag.
In the nick of time, a strong arm encircled Isabella’s waist, steadying her.
“Careful!”
The deep, resonant voice was familiar in her ear.
Looking up, Isabella met Lucas’s concerned eyes.
Meanwhile, Sophia, failing to regain her footing, fell to the floor with a pained moan.
“Sophia!” Victoria rushed over, helping her up. “Are you okay?”
Sophia clutched her ankle, wincing. “My ankle… I think I twisted it…”
Victoria shot an angry look at Isabella, her worry for Sophia turning into scorn. “You clumsy fool! Watch where you’re going! You’ve injured Sophia!”
Lucas stepped in front of Isabella, his tone icy. “Mrs. Blackwood, please mind your words. It was Miss Reed who lost her balance first.”
“You…” Victoria, overwhelmed with fury, struggled to find words. Isabella gently tugged at Lucas’s sleeve, signaling him with a shake of her head.
She was tired of the endless disputes with these two women.
“Let’s leave,” she whispered softly.
Lucas gave her a meaningful look but remained silent, escorting her as they turned to depart.
Sophia’s gaze followed them, a fleeting glint of malice in her eyes quickly giving way to an expression of feigned vulnerability.
“Who would have thought, after three years, Lucas is still by Isabella’s side?” Sophia said pointedly, stressing “three years” as if to insinuate something deeper.
Victoria, already irate from Isabella’s resistance, felt her anger intensify at Sophia’s insinuation. She turned sharply, her tone accusatory. “Sophia, what are you implying? Was Lucas… already involved with her three years ago?”
Victoria struggled to grasp the notion that the seemingly unassuming Isabella had been connected with Lucas even back then.
To Victoria, Isabella was merely a gold digger who had married Ethan for his wealth, and now, she suspected infidelity. Sophia cast her eyes downward, her long lashes concealing the cunning thoughts brewing within. She nibbled on her lip, appearing as though she was wrestling with whether to divulge more.