Chapter 77
Chapter 77:
“You’ve decided to shop for luxury items? What’s the story? Did some rich man start keeping you on the side p>
Her voice was sharp, full of scorn. To her, Rylie was nothing but a source of shame.
Rylie didn’t blink. Her reply was flat. “Didn’t Stacey already explain everything to you about the car racing p>
Stacey’s grip on her dress tightened until her nails threatened to break the skin. “Rylie, what are you even saying? I have no idea what you’re talking about p>
A sly chuckle slipped from Rylie as she traced lazy circles on the countertop. “So, Phillip kept the truth from the rest of you? The racing team’s been barred from competition for five years, all thanks to Stacey’s infraction p>
Lifting her eyes, Rylie pinned them both with a look as cold as ice. “And now the sponsors want seven million in damages. Mrs. Kirk, was that news to you p>
Tessa’s expression faltered for a split second, then she forced out a laugh. “Stacey is on the verge of becoming the Dury family’s young mistress. Seven million is nothing to us.” She then drew Stacey closer, her voice sharpening to a hiss. “But you — betraying your brother and sister, joining another team, and bringing damage to your own family p>
“Is that so?” Rylie tilted her head, lips twisted in a mocking smile. “You mean I took the championship reward that Phillip was confident in getting and disrupted his original plan? Well, you’re right p>
“What?!” Tessa’s eyes flew open, shock etched across her face. “Excuse me?!” Now it all made sense — the missing seven million her husband had discovered, money quietly funneled from the company’s account that was supposed to pay the workers. The deficit now sat directly on their shoulders. The more she dwelled on it, the more her temper flared. She snatched her purse from the counter and threw it at the shop assistant. “Throw this girl out! I’m buying the bag p>
The shop assistant hesitated, anxiety flickering across her features. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Kirk, but she’s a customer too. I have no authority to make her leave p>
Tessa didn’t hesitate — she jabbed a finger at the bag Rylie had just admired. “That one there? Pack it up for me. I’m buying it for my daughter!” The shop assistant’s eyes gleamed. “Would you like to see our other new arrivals? We just got in a selection of dinnerware, globes, and more p>
Tessa, fully aware of the bundling game, made a show of confidence. “Bundle up everything. I’ll take it all p>
Brightening, the assistant did a quick calculation. “The bag alone is one hundred thousand, and the rest brings the total to two hundred thousand. Mrs. Kirk, will that be cash or card p>
Standing to the side, Rylie finally caught on — the fake shortage was a ruse, just another trick to inflate commissions through forced add-ons.
Tessa hadn’t expected the final tally to be so steep; her plan was to cap spending at one hundred and fifty thousand. But pride wouldn’t let her back down. She produced her card, her voice tight. “If this gets her out, I’ll pay right now p>
A cloud of worry passed over the assistant’s face. After thinking it over, she walked over to Rylie and dropped her voice. “Technically, we can’t throw out customers. Would you mind stepping outside and coming back later? I can give you two thousand for the trouble p>
Rylie’s eyebrow arched, amused. “You must be making a pretty penny on this p>
The assistant’s reply came with an awkward grin. “You won’t lose out, will you p>