Josie stepped back, letting the clothes fall to the ground. “Sorry, I don’t want these clothes anymore. Zoey, Adeline, Allison, let’s go!”

“Could it be that you can’t afford it?” Natalie stopped her. She continued, “Josie, I knew a country girl like you shouldn’t be in a place like this. Do you think you’re better than everyone else just because you’re involved with the Reedshaw family? Do you think you can shop at these high-end clothing sections now? It’s been over a year, and aside from a traditional medicine paper you barely managed to publish with your team, what else have you accomplished? You’ve achieved nothing. Why would the Reedshaw family support you?”

Natalie had just published a paper and was enjoying great popularity. It was no wonder she spoke to Josie with such a scornful tone.

Josie said calmly, “Indeed, I haven’t achieved much. You publish papers way faster than I do. I hope you keep up the good work, reach new heights, and have a good stomach!”

The previous remarks were fine. Although insincere, they sounded normal. However, Natalie wondered what the last part meant. Natalie didn’t understand, so she assumed Josie was jealous of her.

She said, “Of course, I’m digesting well. After all, my research is going smoothly, my mood is good, I eat well, and I sleep soundly. It would be hard not to feel good. Josie, could it be that you’re suffering from indigestion?”

Josie couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. “That’s none of your concern.” She even smiled at Natalie, then turned sideways and walked past her.

“Wait!” Patricia stopped her. She had initially thought Josie was a country girl who was ill-mannered and lacked grace, the type to throw tantrums and cause trouble. But just now, she actually felt that Josie had more class than Natalie.

She bent down and picked up the clothes from the ground. “Since you like these clothes, buy them!”

“No!” Josie shook her head. She said, “Natalie said you could set the rules here, so this store must be related to you, and you’re friends with her. These clothes were touched by her and then thrown on the ground. I find them dirty, too. I won’t buy them!”

She hadn’t forgotten Patricia’s earlier words about her being dirty. Patricia hadn’t expected Josie to be so assertive, and she was a little displeased.

She said, “Just buy them when I tell you to. Why so much nonsense? Is it really like Natalie said, that you can’t afford it?”

Without waiting for Josie to speak again, Zoey stepped between them. “Miss Green, don’t make things difficult for Josie. I’ll buy this outfit!”

“You can’t even wear it, so why are you buying it?” Patricia threw the outfit on the counter. “Stop pretending to be a good person. Don’t think I don’t know your true nature. You seduced Aiden, and now you’re trying to seduce my cousin. Only my stupid cousin would be completely fooled by you. But I won’t fall for your tricks. Pack up this outfit and charge it to my account.”

After she finished speaking, she looked at Josie. “Since you’ve tried on this outfit and like it, you should buy it. It’s fine if you can’t afford it. I see you still have some backbone, so I’ll give you this outfit. But I advise you to be more careful when choosing friends. Don’t hang out with just anyone. It’s best for you to stay away from Zoey, who cheats on her partner and has a questionable character.”

“What are you talking about? Why do you accuse her of having character issues? How is Zoey cheating? Explain yourself!” Allison lunged towards Patricia.

Fortunately, Adeline held her back. Otherwise, a fight would have broken out.

Seeing Zoey so angry that she couldn’t speak, her face slightly pale, Josie quickly reached out and supported her. “Don’t be angry. It’s not worth it!” She looked up at Patricia. “If I’m not mistaken, Natalie told you those things. You didn’t witness them, correct?”

Patricia looked justified and upright as she said, “Of course I witnessed it. Everyone in our circle knows she has liked Aiden for many years. Aiden never paid any attention to her before, so she was left heartbroken. But now, for some unknown reason, he’s pursuing her, and she’s after my brother instead. Don’t you think this woman has questionable character?”