Chapter 554

Chapter 554:
Without another word, Stella took Sharon’s arm and walked back toward the stall, planning to pick out a few more accessories.
Seeing her so unaffected made Jazlyn even angrier. She clenched her jaw and stormed off.
Doreen caught up a moment later, still apologizing. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Walsh. I get it now—we’re from completely different worlds. Maybe it’s better if I stop thinking someone like Marc could ever be with someone like me.”
Jazlyn looked frustrated, but when she noticed how Doreen protectively held her stomach, her heart softened a little. She couldn’t bring herself to leave her behind—after all, this was her grandchild’s mother. With a sigh, she said, “Forget it. Let’s go.”
She tried to convince herself that Doreen wasn’t totally hopeless. She just needed some polishing. She didn’t have money or experience, but those could be fixed over time.
Guiding her a little now would help both Doreen and her future grandchild.
And truthfully, Doreen was more well-behaved than Stella. Even when she made mistakes, she’d come back and apologize properly, with respect—and Jazlyn liked that.
Just thinking about Stella irritated her. In Jazlyn’s eyes, Stella had once been a clueless young woman too. If she hadn’t married Marc, and if the company hadn’t done so well over the years, would Stella even know how to carry a luxury handbag or manage a business?
All of that was only possible because of Marc. And wasn’t Marc the man Jazlyn had raised?
Looking at Doreen again, Jazlyn silently made a decision—she would turn this girl into someone even more polished and impressive than Stella. One way or another.
Doreen noticed Jazlyn had finally calmed down a little, so she put on her sweetest smile and coaxed gently, “Mrs. Walsh, let’s go look at the other stalls. I saw some beautiful jewelry over there—I think something from that collection would look stunning on you. Let me get one for you.”
Jazlyn’s expression softened. Pleased, she followed Doreen toward the jewelry vendor selling gold accessories.
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While Jazlyn was busy admiring bracelets and earrings, Doreen quickly silenced her phone, ignoring the flood of unread notifications still piling up.
Last time, she had already transferred all the money Marc sent her to her mother. Unexpectedly, within just a week or two, the entire sum had been depleted, and her mother kept calling and texting incessantly, demanding more money.
That was why she’d been clinging to Jazlyn so much lately. It wasn’t out of affection—it was desperation.
She needed money. Fast.
If her mother had one of her outbursts and decided to barge into her place or, worse, show up at Marc’s house throwing accusations, all of Doreen’s hard work would go up in flames.
Letting out a pitiful sigh, Doreen pretended to browse the jewelry with Jazlyn while keeping her expression tired and worn.
Jazlyn noticed right away. “What’s wrong? You’re not even smiling with all this gold in front of you.”
Doreen quickly shook her head, brushing her hair behind her ear. “It’s nothing, Mrs. Walsh… It’s just… I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately. Being pregnant and handling everything alone—it’s a lot. The baby’s getting bigger, and I’ve nearly slipped in the bathroom twice this week.” She paused, then added in a trembling voice, “And… I think someone’s following me. I don’t know if I’m imagining it, but it feels like someone wants to hurt me or the baby. I’m scared.”
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