Chapter 1

My husband, Ethan Vance, was the richest man in the city. Ever since we tied the knot, I hadn't worked a single day.

I spent my days at our estate, doing whatever brought me joy.

Today, I went out of my way to accompany Chloe to an ultra-luxury boutique to pick out her birthday gift.

Who knew the sales associate would take one look at our simple, casual clothes, sneer in disgust, and try to kick us out?

I gave a cold laugh.

"My husband is the majority shareholder of this entire mall. You..."

Before I could finish, Linda burst out laughing.

Her laugh was sharp and grating, like she had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

"Your husband is the majority shareholder?"

She scanned me from head to toe, her eyes lingering on my logo-free jacket.

"Honey, if you're going to make up a fairy tale, at least do some research. Mrs. Vance shopping in a luxury boutique wearing flea-market rags? Please."

I kept my expression flat.

"Believe it or not. I'm calling him right now."

I reached into my pocket for my phone.

Linda’s eyes flashed with malice. She lunged forward and snatched the phone straight out of my hand.

"Drop the act! Who do you think you're calling?"

She raised her arm high and slammed my phone violently onto the floor.

*Crack!*

The screen shattered into a web of glass, sharp pieces scattering across the marble tiles.

I stared down at my ruined phone, my fists clenching tight.

Chloe rushed forward, her face flushed with fury.

"What the hell is wrong with you? What right do you have to smash Natalie's phone?"

She pulled out her own phone, pointing the camera right at Linda.

"I’m recording everything! Let's see how smug you are when everyone finds out who the real bully is!"

Linda shot her a sideways glare, a contemptuous smirk playing on her lips.

"Oh? Brought a little sidekick, did we?"

Her hands were deceptively fast. Before Chloe could even hit record, Linda ripped the phone from her grip.

*Smash!*

Another sickening crunch echoed through the store. Chloe’s phone lay in ruins on the floor.

Chloe froze, tears of rage instantly welling in her eyes.

"You've gone way too far!"

Her voice trembled, but she didn't back down. Instead, she stepped firmly in front of me.

"Natalie really is Mrs. Vance! And my brother is Ethan Vance! Go look it up yourself!"

Linda crossed her arms, letting out a slow, mocking chuckle.

"Little girl, you two roommates or something? You've got the scripted routine down pretty well."

She tilted her head, eyeing Chloe up and down.

"Both of you combined aren't wearing more than fifty bucks. And you dare pretend to be Mr. Vance's family?"

Chloe shook with sheer outrage.

"Who are you calling broke? You're the broke one! Your whole family is broke!"

Linda’s face darkened, taking a menacing step forward.

"What did you say? A tramp like you dares curse at me in my own store?"

I pulled Chloe behind me, shielding her with my body.

"You smashed two of our phones. Do not think you're getting away with this."

Linda rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Not getting away with it? What are you gonna do? Call the cops? Go ahead. Call them."

She leaned in, dropping her voice to a venomous whisper.

"Let the cops see who's really causing a scene here."

"People like you come in here just to touch things you could never afford. Then you put on an act like you're royalty."

I stared directly into her eyes, my voice icy.

"With an attitude like yours, you won't last another hour in this job."

"Ha! You really think you're Mrs. Vance, don't you?"

Linda planted her hands on her hips, her chin lifted high.

"Let me tell you something. A high-end boutique like this isn't meant for trash like you."

"Go back to your dead-end job, save up some pennies, and buy your clothes off a bargain rack. Stop playing pretend here."

Chloe stomped her foot in pure frustration.

"You're nothing but a pathetic snob!"

Linda sneered, completely ignoring her.

"Look around. You should be grateful I’m even being this polite to you."