Guests nearby chuckled softly.
Selina glanced at the couple's watch in Jillian's hand and remarked with a meaningful smile: "That watch's slogan is 'One Love, One Life, Forever Together.' Considering your future daughter-in-law's history of being the other woman, is this gift a jab at Natalia or Ryan?"
A cheating man and a mistress—neither embody the concept of eternal, undivided love.
Selina blinked innocently. "Carter Madam, it's your son and future daughter-in-law we're talking about. Aren't your words a bit... cutting?"
Jillian's face flushed red with anger. "You're making things up! Who said I was insulting Ryan and Natalia?"
Tilting her head slightly, Selina feigned confusion. "Hmm? Then why did Carter Madam specifically tell me you're gifting them this watch? If it's not an insult, are you trying to show off instead?"
Jillian was livid. Of course, she was showing off!
She wanted Selina to see the difference: while Selina could only afford a $300,000 watch, Natalia could casually get one for $3 million.
How could Selina not understand that?
Just then, Selina let out an exaggerated "Oh," as if coming to a realization: "So you were trying to flaunt something. But, honestly, what exactly are you proud of?"
"Is it Natalia's triumphant rise as the other woman? Or your son being a two-timer who eyes the next dish while eating from his plate?"
Someone nearby stifled a laugh, unable to hold it in.
Jillian's fury ignited like a matchstick. "You—you—"
"Big sister, Carter Madam is an elder," Natalia interjected softly, biting her lip as tears welled up. She looked unbearably aggrieved.
"Dad always taught us to respect our elders. Could you please apologize to her? Please?"
Selina cast a casual glance at her. "She's your elder, not mine."
Natalia's eyes glistened with tears. "Sister, how could you say that? Carter Madam is my future mother-in-law. Don't you care how that puts me in an impossible position?"
At that moment, a few paying customers walked over. They weren't privy to the backstory and immediately frowned at Selina, thinking her behavior was inappropriate.
After all, regardless of circumstances, being rude to your sister's mother-in-law would reflect poorly on Natalia.
"How odd," Selina said with mock curiosity. "Why are you and your mom so obsessed with leeching onto relatives? The mistress's mother-in-law is somehow my elder now? Isn't that a bit of a stretch?"
Selina's tone sharpened. "You're a mistress's child, and your mom wrecked my family. Am I now obligated to honor your in-laws? Sister, do you think I'm a saint?"
"And let's not forget—Carter Madam and I did have a connection. I was supposed to be her daughter-in-law until you, following in your mother's footsteps, clawed your way into that role instead."
"I've been gracious enough not to expose your hypocrisy. Why push me? Do you truly think I'll politely endure a mistress, her shameless mother, and the mother of the cheating scumbag without complaint?"
When Selina finished, the room fell into stunned silence.
The guests shifted their gazes toward Natalia, their eyes filled with disdain.
Natalia's face turned pale, then beet red, cycling between the two. Finally, she managed to whisper through gritted teeth, "Sister, I know you're upset, and I don't want to argue. Carter Madam, since my sister clearly doesn't want me here, I'll just leave…"
"Leave?!" Jillian, her reputation in shambles, exploded in anger.
"If anyone's leaving, it's that brat! Still buying a watch? You think you're worthy?! Mr. Wilson, if you dare sell anything to Selina, Carter Family will cut ties with your store. Think carefully!"
Manager Wilson shuddered involuntarily.
Carter Madam's message was clear: either sell the watch to Miss Clark and risk losing the Carter Family as clients, or eject Selina and retain their lucrative business.
Between Selina, who could only afford a $300,000 watch, and the prestigious Carter Family, the choice was obvious.
Manager Wilson's expression darkened immediately. "Miss Clark, we're all adults here. I'm giving you a chance to save face—leave on your own accord."
He reached to take the watch from Selina's hand.
Selina let out a cold chuckle, her gaze sweeping over Jillian and Natalia as if they were already ghosts.
"Manager Wilson, are you certain you want to kick me out?"
Manager Wilson sneered. "Miss Clark, if you don't leave, I'll have no choice but to call security!"
Selina calmly pulled out a gleaming platinum card. "What if I have a Platinum Card?"
She typically kept a low profile—not because she was afraid to stir trouble, but because she didn't want to reveal her full strength in front of the Clark Family.
But today, she decided otherwise. Jillian and Natalia wanted to humiliate her? Not a chance.
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to the card in her hand.
A Platinum Card? What was that?
Jillian's confidence faltered for a moment. She glanced uneasily at the manager.
Manager Wilson hesitated too, staring blankly at the card, trying to recall its significance. Annoyance crept into his tone: "Miss Clark! What Platinum Card? Our mall doesn't issue such a thing. If you're going to lie, at least make it believable!"
Jillian exhaled in relief, her fear replaced by smugness.
"Well, well, Selina. Good thing Ryan broke off the engagement. Imagine having a fiancée as dishonest and pretentious as you. What an embarrassment!"
Natalia added, shaking her head in mock pity, "Sister, even if you get thrown out, we won't laugh at you. There's no need for this charade."
"Put that fake card away. I heard President Taylor is inspecting the mall today. If he finds out about your antics and kicks you out…"
"What's all this commotion?"
A stern male voice cut through the air from behind them.
Manager Wilson jumped, rushing forward. "President Taylor! You're here!"
President Taylor had hurried over upon hearing that a Platinum Cardholder was in the mall. He had been searching discreetly for the VIP guest but hadn't found them.
Noticing the disturbance in this section, he stepped in, worried that the chaos might tarnish the mall's reputation.
President Taylor frowned. "There's a VIP guest here today. Stay sharp and professional! Now, what's going on here?"
Manager Wilson scrambled to explain. "Nothing, nothing. Carter Madam and Miss Natalia are here, and we're attending to them."
Taylor raised an eyebrow. "Carter Madam and Miss Clark? Ah, I see. Welcome, welcome! Please, make yourselves comfortable. Someone, prepare some tea!"
Natalia's lips curled into a smug smile. President Taylor hadn't even mentioned Selina. So what if Selina was officially a Clark Family heiress?
Jillian shot Wilson a meaningful glance.
Manager Wilson feigned exasperation. "But there's someone causing trouble in the store, disturbing Carter Madam and Miss Clark. We're not sure how to handle it."
President Taylor immediately instructed, "If someone's causing trouble, throw them out."
Natalia chimed in with fake concern, "Sister, I wish I could help you…"
Eager to curry favor with the Carters, Manager Wilson quickly added to the slander:
"Yes, yes, I'll have them removed right away! President Taylor, you wouldn't believe it. Selina's been spouting nonsense about having some Platinum Card. Ridiculous! What even is a Platinum Card? I've never heard—"
"A Platinum Card?!"
President Taylor suddenly interrupted, drawing in a sharp breath.
"Did you just say there's a Platinum Cardholder here?!"