Amanda spotted Elise immediately.

Her voice rang out sharply across the boutique. "Elise?!"

Elise heard her clearly but chose to ignore the call.

"Just who do you think you are, Elise Scott?!" Amanda marched toward her, heels clicking angrily on the marble floor.

Sophia hurried after her, while Amanda shot a contemptuous look at James and sneered.

"Eager to play stepmom, aren't you? It's pathetic how you're throwing yourself at some man, paying for everything! Every single item here costs a fortune–you really went all out, didn't you?"

James's small face scrunched into a frown.

Why did they have to encounter these unpleasant women again? They were completely ruining his perfect shopping day with his mommy.

Beside him, Elise gave Amanda a cool glance. Her fingers moved swiftly over her phone, pressing a button. Amanda's entire tirade played back clearly.

Amanda's face flushed crimson, shocked that Elise had recorded her so quickly.

"I wonder how your reputation would fare if this recording found its way online, Ms. Mitchell?" Elise asked indifferently. "Weren't you just removed from a television series?"

"Elise Scott..." Amanda was seething, her hands trembling with rage.

"Keep your mouth shut if you don't want this to go viral," Elise stated sternly.

Amanda wasn't used to being humiliated like this by Elise.

Back when Elise was dating her brother Samuel, she had always catered to Amanda's every whim... Now, Elise was treating her with utter disdain!

"Calm down, Amanda. She's perfectly capable of following through," Sophia quickly intervened, holding Amanda back before she could explode, skillfully playing the peacemaker.

"She certainly is capable–getting pregnant at eighteen!" Amanda spat venomously.

"Please, Amanda, stop," Sophia continued pleading.

"Whatever. I can't be bothered wasting my breath on her," Amanda declared haughtily, turning to leave.

Sophia continued her angelic act. "Don't take it to heart, sis. You know Amanda doesn't really mean it. She's just concerned you might be taken advantage of–"

"If I recall correctly, Sophia Mitchell, these are still working hours," Elise cut her off abruptly.

Sophia was left standing there, awkward and speechless. Elise offered her a frosty smile.

Not wanting to waste another moment on these trivial people, she took James's hand just as the store assistant returned with his new clothes.

It was a miniature tailcoat tuxedo, exquisitely tailored with impeccable craftsmanship.

Elise had to admit, William had excellent taste.

"Try it on, Jamie."

"Okay."

The boy transformed into a fairytale prince the moment he put it on. Every store assistant gazed at him with genuine admiration.

Amanda and Sophia glanced over just then. Amanda's face twisted with jealousy upon seeing how handsome the boy looked.

Sophia remained silent, but she certainly shared the sentiment, finding a strange comfort in it.

She repeatedly told herself there was no reason to envy Elise–

Not when Elise had ended up with some penniless nobody.

Meanwhile, Elise had her phone out again. She took several photos of Jamie and sent them directly to William.

[What do you think?]

His reply was instantaneous.

Wait, wasn't he supposed to be in an international teleconference?

[He looks dashing.]

[Good.]

Elise frowned deeply.