Maggie had just left the flower shop when her phone, nestled in her handbag, buzzed with an incoming call. She glanced at it curiously, pulled out her phone, and saw that it was Aldrich calling. She answered, her voice a mix of surprise and anticipation. “Hello, Aldrich?”
“Ahh, Maggie, I knew you were out,” Aldrich greeted her with a gentle voice. “Now is the time for you to pamper yourself, as we have a gala in a few days. I hope you’ll be the most radiant queen at the event. Go pick out some outfits you like; I’ve already handed my black card to the driver.”
Aldrich seemed to be involved in the details of her life, and Maggie couldn’t help but feel pleasantly surprised. She responded, “A gala? I better get ready for it!”
On the other end of the line, Aldrich chuckled softly. “Maggie, you deserve to enjoy the finer things in life. Seize this opportunity and embrace it.”
Maggie hadn’t been shopping in a long time. She had been busy with various part-time jobs and hadn’t had a chance to indulge herself.
She took a deep breath and sincerely thanked him. “Thank you, Aldrich.”
She knew she should have at least a couple of impressive outfits because she not only represented herself but also Aldrich’s campaign and the foundation for the children at the upcoming party.
Maggie headed to the grand Barrett Group across the street from the shopping center. As she walked through the glass doors, memories flooded her mind. She couldn’t help but think of that desolate Christmas Eve when despair had consumed her.
She had squatted outside the towering building, watching the bustling crowd inside the mall, anxiously waiting for Aldrich to appear and help her with the refund. Her distress stemmed from her vile ex-boyfriend, Max, who had secretly used her money to buy Linda a luxurious handbag. This betrayal had left Maggie in significant debt, and she needed a refund to pay off her credit card bills.
But now, all that pain was in the past. She could hold her head high, walking into the opulent mall with confidence.
“Maggie?”
A voice filled with surprise and mockery interrupted Maggie’s thoughts. She turned to see Linda, casually dressed, looking at her with disdain. Max followed, carrying unremarkable shopping bags from chain stores.
In just a few days, everything had changed drastically as they met again. Maggie appeared radiant, exuding an inner sense of calm. Max and Linda were taken aback.
“Are you… really pregnant?” Max’s gaze shifted to Maggie’s slightly protruding belly.
Faced with people who had once hurt her, Maggie’s initial response was caution. She quickly placed her hand on her belly and looked up at them.
However, Linda felt a pang of jealousy. She said spitefully, “Maggie, do you think you can fool us without using your brain? You’re too naive!”
Maggie looked at Linda in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Your stomach looks bigger than mine, and Max added potent birth control pills to your coffee a month ago. How could you possibly be pregnant earlier than me? I’ll tell you… ” Linda crossed her arms and sneered, “You’re not pregnant at all!”
What a ludicrous accusation! Maggie had no interest in engaging in a war of words with Linda and Max. They weren’t worth her time. Maggie believed that justice would prevail, and they would face the consequences of their actions.
“I suggest you mind your own business,” Maggie shook her head, realizing she had wasted her sincerity on these two scoundrels. She turned and walked into the mall.
Maggie’s composure made Linda look like a ridiculous clown. Linda was furious. “What? Since you’ve been exposed, can’t you continue the act? Let me guess, you won’t give up. You want to deceive Max, make him think you’re pregnant with his child, and steal him from me. Well, that’s not going to happen!”
Seeing that Maggie remained unaffected, Linda lost control and tried to grab her. Max, with a disdainful frown, said, “Linda, calm down! What are you doing?”
Maggie was taken aback, but her well-trained bodyguard quickly sprang into action. Just as Linda was about to reach Maggie, the bodyguard entered, firmly restraining Linda. His imposing figure and stern demeanor sent shivers down Linda’s spine. “What… do you think you’re doing?”
The bodyguard didn’t release Linda but respectfully asked Maggie, “Madam, how would you like me to handle this?”
Linda and Max were both dumbfounded, not understanding where Maggie’s bodyguard had come from or the powerful support he represented.
Onlookers gathered, admiring and applauding Maggie. This was an experience she had never had as the pitiful Maggie.
Maggie glanced at Linda and Max. “I won’t waste any more words on you. Not because I’m afraid of you or because I’m an easy target, but simply because you’re not worth my time. As for the mistakes you’ve made, justice will be served.”
The bodyguard received Maggie’s signal through his eyes and released Linda. As they entered the mall together, he stood silently, guarding Maggie’s back.
Max grabbed Linda. “Stop talking; everyone is watching us. Let’s go back!”
“I’m not going back!” Linda broke free from Max’s grip. “So, you’re just going to let Maggie bully me like this? Max, I’m carrying your child, and you treat me like this? You never really wanted to come shopping with me from the beginning. You never wanted to buy me clothes! You’re a scumbag!”
People around them gazed at Max with curious eyes, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. If he could choose, he wouldn’t want to deal with the troublesome Linda anymore. In comparison, Maggie’s kindness and gentleness far surpassed Linda’s…
“All right, let’s hurry into the mall and stop making a scene. Everyone’s watching…” Max pulled Linda’s hand, but they were stopped by the mall staff at the entrance.
Max’s face darkened. “What’s going on?”
The staff replied calmly, “I’m sorry, but you and the woman behind you have been put on the mall’s lifetime ban list. Please understand and cooperate.”
Onlookers burst into laughter again. Max’s face turned even darker. “Why? We’re long-term customers here. We’ve bought many products. Give us an explanation!”
“This is an order from the headquarters. If you have any questions, we suggest you contact them. Your disruptive behavior has already affected the mall’s operation. Please leave promptly, and we hope you cooperate,” the staff signaled for them to leave.
Max hesitated, but Linda, spurred on by humiliation and rejection, refused to give up. The mocking gazes of the onlookers were like sharp knives, piercing her heart. She was convinced that Maggie was behind all of this and wanted revenge!
“Hah, Maggie Nelson, this wicked woman is deliberately humiliating me!” Linda stepped back, shouting loudly. “Bring Maggie out here, let me confront her face to face! She’s a bully who uses her power to oppress the weak. She wants to steal my boyfriend! Come out and apologize. If she doesn’t, I won’t leave!”
Max grabbed Linda’s hand, roaring, “Are you out of your mind?” But Linda ignored him and instead gave a disdainful smile. “I won’t let her get away with this!”