Bonnie’s eyes were red and teary; she looked as deflated as a wilted eggplant. Yvette, meanwhile, was returning a call from Flying Fish while washing her hands in the bathroom. Two heavily made-up women entered from outside.
They saw Yvette, who wore a duck-billed hat, and openly displayed their disdain, gossiping about a recent incident. "Do you think that girl would fight back if she got hit? Winona really knows how to throw her weight around. Without the Chambers and Smith families backing her, she's clinging to the Carters now. I heard she's pregnant with Victor's child. After the baby's born, she'll be the lady of the Carter family. I envy her," one woman said.
The shorter woman applied red lipstick, nodding in agreement. "That girl looks completely unconnected. Her clothes are cheap; Winona's just picking on an easy target, isn't she? She's only bold because of her family. Victor's notorious, you know. My sister had a huge fight with him recently."
"True, your sister seems resourceful. I can introduce you two, if you like," the first woman offered, putting away her lipstick and glancing at Yvette, who remained focused on washing her hands. Yvette's presence was undeniable; her aura was powerful, even though her face was unseen.
One woman readily agreed. "Sure, I'll introduce you when I get the chance. But we should hurry; Mr. Lester's waiting, and we don't want to keep him."
After they left, Yvette's expression hardened. She lowered her head and dried her hands.
Inside the clothing store, Winona sat on a sofa, nervously rubbing her stomach, while Yulia checked on her. A pointy-faced salesgirl hovered nearby, offering tea and water. Bonnie stood alone, stubbornly wiping away her tears. She resolved to be stronger, to never let anyone insult her again.
Just as Bonnie prepared to leave, Winona called out, "Mom, don't let Bonnie leave! If anything happens to my baby, she'll pay!" Even Yulia thought Winona was overreacting. "Winona, let's calm down," she said tensely, attempting diplomacy.
The pointy-faced salesgirl eagerly interjected, "Mrs. Carter's right! If anything happens to the baby, she's responsible! The baby can't be at risk!"
Winona nodded, pleased. The other saleswomen exchanged glances, subtly signaling the pointy-faced girl to back down, but she ignored them, seeing an opportunity to secure her own future by aligning with Winona.
Whispers and pointed fingers filled the air. Some saw Winona as a bully; others believed Bonnie deserved it for trying on clothes without money. Bonnie watched Winona’s trembling hands. How could she be so shameless, twisting the truth?
The pointy-faced salesgirl approached Bonnie with arrogance. "Miss, look at the clothes you tried on. They're dirty. You need to pay, or this won't end well. Or kneel and apologize to Mrs. Carter, and you won't have to pay."
Winona watched expectantly from the sofa; the salesgirl was clearly acting on her instructions.
Bonnie, ready to argue, retorted, "I was careful! They weren't dirtied by me!"
Bonnie underestimated people's malice. The salesgirl snatched a dress and subtly brushed her light-colored nail polish against it, leaving an almost invisible mark. "See? Who else could have done it? Don't think we can't see it just because it's light," she sneered.
Winona stroked her stomach, enjoying the spectacle. "Oh, look, Bonnie, still in denial. I offered to buy you the dress, but now you'll pay for it yourself. How much is it?" The salesgirl smiled. "It's not expensive for Mrs. Carter—only 150 thousand dollars. For you? A bit of a stretch."
Winona feigned kindness. "Bonnie, I'm not trying to be mean. Kneel and apologize, and I'll cover the cost. Otherwise, you'll be in trouble."
Bonnie's face flushed. As she began to respond, a familiar voice interrupted. "Who do you want to kneel to?" Winona, startled, blurted out, "Bonnie, of course."
She then realized who had spoken and turned stiffly toward the entrance. Yulia recognized the voice as well, and both looked toward the door. The store fell silent as Yvette, in black pants and a duck-billed cap, entered.
As she lifted her cap, revealing her face, gasps rippled through the onlookers.
Yvette calmly walked in, hands in her pockets, radiating confidence. Bonnie froze, her eyes widening with relief and a surge of security.
Yvette approached Bonnie, the crowd breathless with anticipation. "Alright, dry those tears. Have I ever taught you to back down? People respect you when you stand your ground, and if they cross you, you don't let it slide," Yvette stated firmly.
Bonnie wiped her tears and looked up, like a wronged child finally finding support. "Winona's pregnant; otherwise, I'd scratch her face."
Yvette noticed the palm print on Bonnie's cheek, her expression turning serious. She sat on the sofa, legs crossed, her gaze sweeping over Winona (nervous), Yulia (ambivalent), and the pointy-faced salesgirl.
Yvette’s eyes were like ice, making Winona and the others stiffen with fear. With a slight smirk, she asked, her voice chilling, "Who gave you the nerve to lay a hand on me?" Winona’s heart pounded; she remembered Yvette’s past actions, a terrifying memory that fueled her deepest fears. She had only dared bully Bonnie because she believed Yvette was absent.
Yulia hesitated, realizing this was Winona's problem. The pointy-faced salesgirl, sensing the tension, understood Yvette was not to be trifled with. She shrank back, intimidated.