Chapter 30: A Lengthy Brawl

Heather gasped as she saw a woman in a white Elsa dress. The young woman looked like a fairy from a children's storybook, her attractive shoulders and collarbone visible beneath the fishbone design. The dress flattered her curvaceous figure; she was noble, elegant, and gorgeous. Her appearance was striking.

Looking closer, Heather was stunned to see Annabel. She blinked, rubbing her eyes in disbelief. Jealousy and hatred flared. Pointing at Annabel, she demanded of the clerk, "I'll take that dress! Pack it for me!"

The clerk hesitated. "But she already said she wanted to buy it."

"Has she paid?" Heather asked sharply.

After a moment, the clerk replied, "Not yet."

Bella, fawning over Heather, intervened. "Only payment confirms a sale. Heather's a VIP here. You should serve her!" She added pointedly to the clerk, "Have you forgotten who Heather is? Disobey her, and you're fired!"

The clerk, terrified, began to tremble. Everyone knew the Norman family's power; Heather was Brock Norman's favorite granddaughter. She couldn't afford to offend her, but she didn't know Annabel. Finally, she approached Annabel. "Miss, you'll have to take off the dress. It's been bought."

A sarcastic smile played on Annabel's lips. "Didn't I say I wanted to buy it?"

Before the clerk could respond, Bella strode over and yelled, "Heather wants this dress. Take it off!"

"Is this a joke?" Annabel laughed. "I wanted it first, and shopping is first come, first served!"

"Can you even afford it?" Bella sneered.

"That's none of your business," Annabel retorted, producing a black card and saying to the clerk, "Please charge this."

Heather's eyes widened. She recognized the type of card; it was exceedingly rare, even she didn't possess one. Rupert must have given this one to Annabel! Envy consumed her. As the clerk reached for the card, Heather grabbed her hand. "I'll pay double!"

Annabel, arms folded, frowned. Was Heather stalking her? Why this store, of all places, in Douburgh? "Heather," she said, "have you heard of 'first come, first served'? I claimed it first. I won't give it up, even for millions!"

"You hillbilly! You don't deserve this dress!" Heather spat. She imagined herself in the dress, more beautiful than Annabel, perhaps even winning Rupert's affection.

"I don't deserve this dress?" Annabel chuckled. "That's rich, coming from someone who can't tell real from fake."

Heather's face flushed crimson. How dare Annabel mock her, a Norman? Erica disliked Annabel, and Rupert was only with her because of his grandfather; he wouldn't marry her. Heather was determined to get the dress.

Bella again intervened, pulling at the dress's hem. "What are you doing?" Annabel slapped Bella's hand away, furious at the attempted public humiliation. Bella stumbled.

"You poverty-stricken idiot!" Bella raged, revealing she was from the Astley family—once prestigious, now merely wealthy. She was used to getting her way.

"Call someone to take off that dress!" she yelled at the clerk.

Overwhelmed, the clerk said, "Excuse me, I'll get the manager."

Heather, confident of victory, smirked, anticipating Annabel's humiliation. She approached Annabel, condescendingly saying, "Hand over the dress now. The manager will strip you naked and throw you out!"

Ignoring Heather's tirade, Annabel texted Anika. Heather, fists clenched, seethed. Was Annabel calling Rupert? She resolved to deal with Annabel then and there.

Ten minutes later, the manager, Curt Ramsey, rushed in. He bypassed Heather and approached Annabel respectfully. "Good afternoon, Miss Hewitt."

Annabel asked coolly, "You're the manager? Is this how you conduct business?"

Curt profusely apologized, taking full responsibility for the clerk's actions.