Crossroads

"Kevin, was that your mom on the phone earlier?" Claire asked, her grip tightening on his arm. She'd noticed Stella's name lighting up his phone more frequently these past few days, each call leaving Kevin with a darker, more troubled look.

"Did she bring up me and our daughter?"

They walked side by side into the largest shopping mall in the eastern part of the city. Claire tugged at him nervously, her fone laced with anxiety. "I bet Stephanie's been feeding your mom all sorts of nonsense about me."

At the mention of Stephanie, Kevin suddenly stopped walking.

"What's going on, Kevin?" Claire asked.

His face looked troubled as he glanced down at the little girl he was holding, taking a deep breath. "It's nothing" He didn't want to say too much in front of his daughter, Kevin looked up towards the elevator. "Claire, why don't you take our daughter up for a bit of shopping, I'll wait for you in the smoking area. Mis agitation was clear in his voice and manner.

Claire had noticed something was off these few days, but she decided to ask him about it later at night.

O She smiled warmly and linked arms with him. "Why not take Joyce to the kids' play zone on the fifth floor? She wants to play games with you..."

Claire glanced at the little girl by her feet. Joyce seemed intimidated by Claire, shrinking back towards Kevin and clutching his shirt. She spoke up in a soft voice. "Daddy, I want to go to the play zone."

Kevin gently ruffled his daughter's hair and thought for a moment, "Alright, let's go to the fifth floor."

As a woman walked by, she glanced at Joyce and Kevin and complimented, "Your husband and child are both good looking"

With a proud grin, Claire couldn't help but call out to the retreating figures, Joyce, make sure those pretty ladies keep their distance from your daddy, okay?"

From afar, Joyce responded, "Okay." She hurriedly nodded in fear.

Smiling, Claire then headed straight for a men's fashion boutique on the second floor.

"Has the suit I reserved for my husband arrived yet?" Claire strode up to the counter, slamming down her membership card arrogantly.

"How dare you, a homewrecker, call another man your husband? Shameless..."

A voice hissed bitterly from the left side of the counter.

Stephanie, who had been strolling through the plaza, happened to see Claire and instantly worked up.

The enemies met, and one could easily sense the tension in the air.

Hearing this, Claire turned around to see Stephanie in the same boutique. Her expression soured. "Stephanie, did you just call me a homewrecker?"

The sales assistant feared that they would get into a fight and hurried over to Claire, gently interjecting, "Ms. Peterson, the suit you reserved is here. Please, let me show you....

Lately, Claire had been hanging out with the rich ladies in Kevin. Aiming to be the future lady of the Nelson family meant she had to maintain her image, especially in such upscale stores.

"Just wrap up the suit."

Claire shot Stephanie a disdainful look and steered, "Some people might look flashy but barely have a dime in their account. These poor will never actually buy anything. Honestly, it's better to kick them out!"

Stephanie bit her lip, holding back her anger, while the sales assistant that her a doubtful and somewhat disdainful look.

"Miss, please let go of the suit. It's been reserved for Ms. Peterson... The store operated on a membership basis, and indeed, Stephanie was just passing by and not a member..

Claire's smile widened, and her words seemed to hint at something. "Do smart. Know when to quit. Some things simply aren't for people like you You'll never have them."

Stephanie knew she was mocking her past marriage with Kevin.

"I don't want what's not mine!"

Her grip on the pants tightened. With a smirk, she added, "You think you can steal from me, Claire? Well, I won't make this easy for you!"

A loud tear echoed as the expensive trousers ripped loudly, tearing open.

"What are you doing?" The sales assistant screamed in shock.

Claire choked with fury y and yelled, "You! You did this on purpose, Stephanie!"

With a cold face, Stephanie grabbed the torn trousers and threw them e fiercely at Claire.

"This trash suits Kevin better. You want it? Take it!"

The trousers hit Claire in the face, turning her complexion a furious shade of blue.

"Miss, you're messing around!"

The store manager quickly intervened, scolding Stephanie with a serious expression.

Stephanie stood up straight, meeting the clerk's glare. "How am I messing around? I just accidentally damaged those pants. Did I say I wouldn't pay for them? Plus, I'm also a customer here..." Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

She looked around calmly and declared, "I came here to b