Chapter 18 Unexpected Encounter with Aaron at the Mall
Susanna couldn't believe what was happening, but she had no desire to keep arguing with Elaine. She quickly stopped Aviana from mocking Elaine and pulled out her phone, flashing the invitation to the finals. "Take a good look. I earned my spot at the gala fair and square, unlike those who resort to cheating because they lack genuine skill."
Elaine was completely taken aback by the sight of the invitation, not anticipating Susanna's success in reaching the finals. Momentarily speechless, she scrambled to come up with a response. Glancing at the dresses in the store clerk's hands, Elaine regained her composure. "I'll take all three of these dresses. Wrap them up for me, please."
The clerk hesitated, standing still. Elaine's face darkened. "Didn't you hear me? Wrap them up. Do you know who I am?"
"Yes, Ms. Abbott."
"Hold on!" Aviana placed her hand on the clerk's. "We were here first."
Elaine sneered, "So what if you were here first? You can't afford them anyway!"
"Who says we can't?" Aviana pulled out a card and handed it to the clerk. "Charge it." In Novaria, no one had ever doubted her ability to pay.
"Wait." Susanna quickly took the card back, looking at Aviana. "Aviana, don't be impulsive. We haven't even tried these on. Let's look around some more."
Aviana seethed with anger, but mindful of her carefully cultivated public persona, she decided to bite back her words.
Susanna looped her arm through Aviana's and gracefully led her to the next store. However, Elaine's dissatisfaction knew no bounds. She tailed them, snatching up items they showed interest in and eventually purchasing anything Susanna laid a finger on. This impulsive spree led to a hefty bill at the posh checkout counter, with Elaine now facing the daunting task of settling the tab. As the salespeople wielding POS machines dogged her steps, a sudden realization dawned on Elaine. "Susanna! You did this on purpose!
Susanna responded with a innocent look, "You chose to follow us. We didn't make you buy anything. How can you blame us?"
Elaine's fury reached a boiling point as she jabbed an accusatory finger at Susanna. "You devious snake! I won't let you off the hook for this!"
"Mind your words!" Aviana's temper flared to its peak. "Utter another derogatory remark about Susanna, and you'll regret it!"
Aviana's fierce demeanor startled both Elaine and Susanna. While in the Abbott family's territory, Elaine wasn't about to back down. "I don't believe you'd dare start a fight in public."
Just as Aviana was about to roll up her sleeves, Susanna intervened, "Aviana, calm down! Edward said you're pregnant. You can't risk your health over someone like her. Elaine, instead of arguing with us, why don't you go pay? After all, Ms. Elaine Abbott is wealthy enough not to back out or return items, right?"
At Susanna's words, the salespeople behind Elaine stepped forward, as if awakened.
Elaine's eyes widened in realization as she surveyed the overwhelming pile of purchases. Her initial plan to taunt Susanna by snatching items she favored had backfired spectacularly. Examining the stack of receipts in the salespeople's hands, a mix of regret and frustration washed over Elaine. "Susanna, mark my words, you'll regret this!"
Susanna helped Aviana to a seat and said calmly, "Elaine, I think you're the one who'll regret this. Pretending to be something you're not rarely ends well."
"Excuse me? I don't need to pretend. I'm Elaine Abbott, and the Abbott family owns a significant portion of this mall. I assure you, I can afford these items." Elaine had barely finished speaking when a sales clerk approached with her card. "Ms. Elaine Abbott, your credit card was declined due to insufficient funds."
Elaine shouted, "How is that possible?"
"I'm afraid it's true," the clerk replied helplessly.
Elaine felt a wave of embarrassment. She had spent too much this month, and her credit limit was nearly maxed out, especially after the cheating scandal. If she bought these items, her card would definitely be overdrawn. However, unwilling to lose face in front of Susanna, she mustered a confident tone, "Just wrap them up and put them on my tab. I'll pay later."
"Ms. Elaine Abbott, store policy requires payment before you can take the items. So—"
Before the clerk could finish, Elaine slapped her across the face. "I'm Elaine Abbott of the Abbott family. This mall belongs to us. Do you think I can't afford these things?"
The clerk's face turned red from the slap, and she stood there, stunned and unsure of what to do.
Susanna couldn't stand it any longer. "Elaine, the mall's rules were set by the Abbott family. Even the president of the Abbott Group has to pay before taking anything. Bullying a clerk doesn't prove anything."
Aviana's opinion of Susanna skyrocketed in an instant as she witnessed her stand up for the salesclerk. Just moments ago, the salesperson had treated them with disdain, yet here was Susanna, speaking up on their behalf.
Elaine sneered, "Susanna, who do you think you are? Stay in your lane. The Abbott family's affairs are no business of yours!"
Elaine's eyes narrowed as she snapped at the safeguards, "What are you waiting for? Get over here!"
As the two security guards in their uniforms quickly approached, Elaine's arrogance swelled, making her even more brazen. "Kick them out! They can't afford a thing and are just taking up space. Make sure these lowlifes never set foot in this mall again. And fire these clerks for going against my word. That's what happens when you mess with me!"
The security guards hesitated. "Ms. Abbott, that's against the rules."
Elaine exploded, "What rules? This is the Abbott family's territory! I make the rules!"
"And since when do you speak for the Abbott family?" A cold, deep voice cut through the air, dropping the temperature around them.
Susanna turned swiftly at the familiar voice, her eyes locking onto Aaron who was striding in from outside.
Clad in a sleek black suit and accompanied by a retinue of associates, Aaron commanded the room as he made his entrance. His impeccably chiseled features shone under the lights, drawing all eyes to him wherever he tread.
Susanna remembered that Aaron made unannounced inspections of the mall every month, often resulting in numerous dismissals. His ruthless efficiency kept the Abbott Group's malls thriving.
Elaine's bravado dissipated like mist in sunlight as Aaron entered the room. A sinking feeling settled in her stomach as she desperately sought a way out of the situation. In a feeble attempt to salvage her dignity, she spoke up, "Aaron, these two were causing trouble in the mall. I was merely looking out for the mall's best interests and asked security to remove them."
Aaron stood still, turning his head to look at Susanna. "Is that true?"
