Chapter 41 Learning the Truth, Driven to Frenzy
The manager had Nora's commission ready for her. She received nearly a million dollars in commissions, which lifted her spirits immensely. With her mood buoyed, she chose a new gown from the store and headed home. She was chipper as ever.
Come evening, Nora texted Steve, "Are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to a fancy dinner!"
At Porter Group, Isaac was in his office reviewing the blueprints for a new project when his dedicated cell phone vibrated in his pocket. Checking the message, he could sense Nora's cheerfulness through the text.
Steve: What's made you so happy?
Nora: I made almost a million dollars today.
Steve: How'd you pull that off?
Could she have landed a major contract? But with her small studio, a deal of that scale would take at least six months to fulfill. Surely she hadn't been duped?
Isaac's brow furrowed with concern.
Nora: I went shopping today and bumped into an enemy.
She omitted Kalista's name, summarizing the day's drama before sharing it with Steve.
Nora: It took everything to stifle my laughter. I earned so much from her, and she left thinking she'd bested me!
Isaac remained silent, suspecting he knew who Nora was talking about.
"Isaac!"
At that moment, the sound of a knock and Kalista's voice came from the office door. Isaac quickly replied to Nora: Let me know the place once you've decided. I'll probably be free after seven.
Then he stowed away his phone before pressing the door control button to let Kalista in.
"Isaac, I had the most delightful time at the mall today buying a gown!" Kalista couldn't help sharing her joy the moment she stepped into the office.
Isaac looked at her calmly and asked, "What happened that's making you so happy?"
Kalista's face adiated with smiles. "Oh, nothing extraordinary. While I was shopping today, I bumped into someone who had caused me a lot of trouble in the past. She used to bully me quite a bit. But today, I outsmarted her and grabbed every gown she had her eye on, leaving her with nothing. She had no option but to leave, completely defeated. I used to be pushed around by her all the time, but today, I finally came out on top. Don't you think it's worth celebrating?"
Isaac was silent.
He rubbed his temples, his face clouded with worry.
So the 'enemy' Nora had mentioned was indeed Kalista.
This fool is gloating while being duped.
With that level of smartness, no wonder Grandpa never favored her.
Isaac brushed her off with a few dismissive words and then gestured for her to leave, "Why don't you head back now? And please, try not to come to the office unless it's absolutely necessary; I'm swamped with work."
Kalista bit her lip, an embarrassed flush creeping over her face. "Isaac, I'm out of cash right now, and I still haven't bought a gown. Could I maybe get next month's allowance early?"
"Didn't you say you bought up every gown that girl had her eye on?" Isaac looked up at her.
Her face turned a deep shade of red. "She and I don't share the same size. I can't fit into her dress size."
With a larger frame than Nora, and despite significant weight loss, she still carried a more imposing presence than Nora.
All the dresses Nora chose were in small sizes; she couldn't squeeze into them!
Even the gown she'd splurged ten million dollars on didn't fit her.
Moreover, that gown was encrusted with gems and couldn't be altered—any attempt would risk losing the stones and ruining the dress.
In other words, she had spent ten million dollars on what amounted to a decorative piece.
The thought infuriated Kalista.
Only when she pictured Nora's disappointed face leaving the store, did she feel somewhat better.
Isaac frowned and said sternly, "Think before you act from now on. Don't let yourself get conned without even realizing it."
Kalista's face fell with a look of grievance.
"Isaac—"
"That's enough. I don't have time for such trivial matters. Go to Wesley. He'll handle the gown for you." Isaac cut her off.
Kalista bit her lip again and had no choice but to leave the office, albeit reluctantly.
---
At half past seven in the evening.
Nora and Steve arrived at a Mexican restaurant for dinner.
"I never knew you liked Mexican food. Seems we have similar tastes."
Steve's eyes sparkled momentarily.
She had offered to take him out and let him choose the place.
He had deliberately picked something suited to her palate; of course, she'd enjoy it.
"It's nice once in a while," said Steve, his voice neutral.
While waiting for their dishes to serve, they casually started chatting.
Nora couldn't help but bring up the day's events at the mall.
The more she talked, the more animated she became, her face alive with a constant smile.
She got so carried away with her storytelling that she didn't notice a middle-aged woman sitting behind a screen at the next booth, eavesdropping on their conversation.
The middle-aged woman's brows furrowed tighter.
Why did the description Nora gave of that person sound so familiar to Kalista?
Quietly, the woman slipped into the restroom and made a call.
"Hey, Kalista, it's me. I have a question. Did you have a run-in with Nora at the mall today? Did you snatch up every gown she was eyeing?" Rita Garcia blurted out the moment the call connected.
Kalista replied in surprise, "Yeah. Mom, how did you know?"
She had only mentioned it to Isaac and hadn't told anyone else.
How did Mom find out?
Rita stamped her foot in anger and fumed, "Oh my foolish daughter, you've been played by Nora!"
"What are you talking about, Mom? How could she play me? I took everything she wanted, and she just slithered away in disappointment," bragged Kalista, recalling the day's events with smug satisfaction.
"I'm at a restaurant right now, and I just happened to run into Nora and some man having dinner here. And guess what I overheard? Nora bragging about her little scheme at the mall with you!" Rita explained.
"She said she'd worked a deal with the sales associate to provoke you into buying those clothes. For everything you bought, she got a ten percent kickback. On the most expensive one, twenty-five percent! My silly girl, and here you are, happy as can be. Nora made a cool million off of you today!"
"What!" Kalista shrieked, her voice piercing as her face contorted with rage, "Nora, how dare you con me! That bitch! She tricked me into buying a bunch of gowns I can't wear, spent all my money, and now I have to grovel to Isaac for help to buy the right gown. I won't let her get away with this! She swindled me out of so much money; I'll make her pay!"
Kalista was furious, hurling objects around like a madwoman.
Hearing the crashing and cursing over the phone, Rita grew concerned that her daughter might harm herself and couldn't bear to eavesdrop any longer. She hurried back to tend to her distraught daughter.
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