Scarlett Wood had agreed to meet with two old friends for a day of shopping. Both women were around her age but carried themselves with the confidence and style of those accustomed to wealth and admiration. They were the epitome of what Scarlett had once aspired to be but had distanced herself from due to her complicated family circumstances.
One of the women, Melanie, was married to the CEO of a listed company, while the other, Ophelia, was the wife of a petrochemical magnate. Their wealth and influence had kept them at the top of Hiphia’s social hierarchy. Scarlett, on the other hand, had shied away from such gatherings for years after her daughter married Kayden Scott, who had been perceived as a “fool.”
However, Georgia Adams had transformed her family’s fortunes, elevating them to the upper echelons of society. Scarlett’s social standing had risen with it, allowing her to reconnect with her former circle.
The three women, despite being in their forties, exuded elegance and charm. Scarlett herself was stunning, her mature beauty accentuated by an aura of sophistication. Walking together, they drew the attention of passersby, many of whom were younger men unable to resist their allure.
“Melanie, did you see that young man? He couldn’t take his eyes off us,” Ophelia teased, her red dress accentuating her vivacious demeanor.
Melanie laughed. “That’s nothing. Just the other day, a nineteen-year-old asked for my WeChat. He kept calling me ‘sister’ and said he found me irresistibly charming. When I told him to date someone his own age, he said girls his age were boring and that he preferred mature women with real allure.”
Ophelia smirked mischievously. “Did anything happen between you two?”
Melanie chuckled. “Nothing too scandalous. I sent him a few photos, and he said they gave him a nosebleed. If you’re interested, I can introduce him to you. He’s quite the charmer.”
“No, no, I’ll pass. I’ll stick to charming my son-in-law instead,” Ophelia quipped, a wicked grin spreading across her face.
“Your son-in-law?” Melanie’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “What’s going on?”
Ophelia leaned in conspiratorially. “I’ve caught him looking at me differently. Once, I noticed him stealing glances at my lingerie in the bathroom. Another time, he accidentally brushed against me.”
Her cheeks flushed as she spoke, the excitement in her voice evident.
“Impressive!” Melanie raised her eyebrows approvingly. “Next time, sleep without any clothes and see if he dares to make a move. If he does, you’ll have it made!”
The two women burst into laughter, their conversation growing bolder with each passing moment.
Scarlett Wood, listening in, felt her face heat up. She wasn’t one to entertain such scandalous notions, even if she shared their aspirations for a wealthy son-in-law. Her principles kept her grounded, but the conversation left her flustered nonetheless.
“Scarlett, is it true that your ‘foolish’ son-in-law once begged an old woman for milk on the street? Was it because you used to feed him milk at home?” Ophelia teased, her voice dripping with mockery.
Scarlett’s face turned crimson. “Of course not. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
Melanie laughed. “Oh, come on, you can tell us. We won’t spread it around!”
“There’s nothing to tell!” Scarlett insisted, her voice firm but tinged with embarrassment.
“Your blush says otherwise. I’m sure you’ve had some unspeakable moments with your son-in-law,” Ophelia joked, drawing more laughter from the group.
The women’s banter continued as they strolled through the bustling streets, eventually arriving at a high-end jewelry store, Emerald Jewelry Store. The store was renowned in Hiphia, rivaled only by Jerome Stevens’ Treasure Jewelry Store. The cheapest items started at 100, 000 dollars, and most were far more expensive.
Melanie lifted her wrist, showing off an exquisite jade bracelet. “Let’s go in and take a look. I bought this two months ago for over three million, but it’s probably outdated by now. Time to see if there’s something better.”
Ophelia chimed in, “Mine’s from six months ago, cost around two million. I could use a replacement too.”
Turning to Scarlett, Melanie’s eyes fell on her bare wrist. “Scarlett, with such an accomplished daughter, shouldn’t you get yourself a nice bracelet? Even if you don’t go for one of the million-dollar pieces, surely you could spring for something in the tens of thousands. It suits your new status.”
Her words subtly drew a line between them, emphasizing their superior spending power.
Scarlett glanced at the dazzling 20-million-dollar blood diamond ring on her finger but chose to remain silent, letting their comments pass.
Inside the jewelry store, the women were greeted by a young, handsome sales manager named Reece. Standing over six feet tall, he had an air of charm and confidence that suggested he was a seasoned professional.
“Melanie, Ophelia! It’s been ages. You’re looking more stunning than ever,” he said, his tone warm and familiar.
Melanie responded eagerly, grabbing his arm playfully and tracing circles on it with her finger. Her flirtatious demeanor was impossible to miss.
Reece, not one to shy away, returned the gesture with a light touch to Melanie’s thigh. “Melanie, you’re as seductive as ever,” he remarked, his tone dripping with innuendo.
The exchange made it clear that there was more to their relationship than met the eye.
“Do you have any new arrivals?” Melanie asked, her voice carrying a hint of expectation.
Before answering, Reece’s gaze shifted to Scarlett Wood, his eyes lingering a moment too long. The intensity of his stare was both unsettling and intriguing.