NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 988
Dora was annoyed. If Martin were here, the sales staff would have flocked over.
"Isn't Gladys here?" Serena asked for a specific associate, drawing curious glances.
Of course, a few of the salespeople did recognize her but chose to keep quiet. None of them wanted to deal with her and acted as if she were invisible.
The sales associate, Amy, who had pretended to be busy with the jewelry, reluctantly responded,
"Gladys is off for the holiday."
A few days ago, the Collins family had already revoked Serena's VIP status at this boutique.
Regardless of her financial capability to shop here, her actions towards the Collins family meant that being too welcoming to her might spell trouble for the store.
"Sorry, you're no longer a VIP at our establishment. You're welcome to browse this area, but the VIP lounge is reserved for VIP members only."
Amy's words drew the attention of several onlookers.
Serena felt embarrassed. That's right, she remembered now. When the Collins family had grounded her, they also canceled her VIP status at all the luxury stores.
"I think your staff is well aware of my spending habits. The kind of VIP status I had before, I could easily regain it with just a few purchases today."
Amy didn't respond further, pretending not to hear, and continued organizing the jewelry display.
Serena spotted an emerald necklace behind the glass and pointed, "Let me try that one on."
Seeing Serena addressing her, Amy reluctantly responded, "I'm sorry, but that piece has already been reserved by another customer. It's being picked up tomorrow."
"What about that one?"
"That's a sample. It's been pre-ordered by three customers already. You'd have to wait three months."
"Gladys never made me wait, not even for a day."
"That was then."
Amy's words left Serena seething. What, she wasn't the Collins family's darling anymore, and now even a lowly sales associate dared to step on her?
The sales associate at RY ignored her, and now this SHINING STAR clerk dared treat her this way?
"Do you believe I can have you fired from here?"
"Is this the real Serena?"
Amy's remark caused many in the store to turn and stare at Serena.
"Serena? Isn't she the fake heiress who was kicked to the curb by the Collins family? Oh wait, Serena."
"That looks like her. Why is she in a wheelchair? Did she commit so many wrongs that the Collins family broke her legs?"
"If that's true, then she must have done something truly monstrous. Good riddance!"
"Didn't Louisa say in the livestream yesterday that this person is ungrateful and oblivious, given countless chances and still never correcting her mistakes, repeatedly harming Rosemary."
"How does she have the nerve to go shopping?"
"Thinking a hat and sunglasses would make her unrecognizable?"
"Dressed like that, she must know she's done wrong."
Hearing the whispers around her, Serena felt increasingly mortified.
She had wanted to splurge today, to vent her frustrations, but she hadn't anticipated such a wretched experience.
"Dora, let's get out of here."
Even though Dora knew they were being unreasonably snubbed, the mall was buzzing with chatter and, to avoid any further negative attention that might tarnish Serena's already fragile reputation, she
pushed the wheelchair away without speaking further.
As they passed by an upscale handbag boutique, a stylishly dressed middle-aged woman was just stepping out, swinging two shopping bags from her recent spree.
"Mrs. Bright?" Serena caught sight of her and instinctively called out.
Over the years, Mrs. Bright's family business had flourished thanks to the benevolence of the Collins family, so she frequently showed up at their doorstep with expensive gifts as a token of gratitude.
During occasions like Christmas, Mrs. Bright would go the extra mile to present Serena with two designer handbags, each starting at a value of $200,000, all in the hopes that Serena would put in a good word for the Brights with Kenneth and Louisa.
Nicola, who had just made a purchase at the fashion boutique, glanced in their direction. Despite the hat and sunglasses disguising the girl in the wheelchair, she recognized Serena's figure and voice.
Without pausing or even acknowledging the greeting, Nicola shifted her gaze and continued on her way, acting as if nothing had happened.
"Who was that? She clearly saw you saying 'hello' but ignored you. I wonder where she's rushing off to with such bad manners!"
Serena let out a cold laugh. Now that Rosemary was the Collins family's darling, Mrs. Bright was obviously too busy sucking up to the new favorite to bother with someone from the past.
"Dora, let's just go home." Serena had lost all interest in shopping.
"Serena, we're already here, why not treat yourself a little? After all, it was what Mr. Cooper would have wanted."
Persuaded by Dora, Serena considered browsing a little more, but as they neared a watch boutique, a loud voice erupted from within.
"Show me the best and most expensive ladies' watches you have. I'm here to buy a gift."
That voice was...
Serena looked inside and, sure enough, it was her Aunt Rachel!
Rachel's voice was always booming, filled with confidence and authority, and her manner exuded command – a woman clearly accustomed to being in charge.
"Listen up," she announced to the clerks, "the person I'm buying for today has seen every imaginable luxury, so you'd best bring out the crown jewel of your collection! Don't worry about the price; what matters most is rarity and exclusivity."
Perhaps because of the arrival of such an esteemed customer, a clerk hurried to close the shop, and upon seeing Dora with the wheelchair-bound Serena at the entrance, mistook them for customers and
apologized in a hushed tone, "I'm sorry, but we're closing up."
The doors shut swiftly before them.
"What's going on with these stores today? Either they ignore people or they're too busy catering to the VIPs."
Serena seemed unfazed as she explained, "Do you know why the woman inside wanted the best and most expensive watch?"
Dora shook her head.
Dora's eyes widened as the penny dropped.
"So, the woman buying the watch inside, you know her?"
"I did call her 'Rachel' just now." Reаd at
Realization dawned on Dora.