Samantha didn’t waste time. She took out her phone, found the mall manager’s number, and made the call right in front of everyone.
“The shop at B2-11. I want their brand out of SKC by ten tonight.”
The moment those words left her mouth, the sales associates froze. Their eyes went wide, faces draining of color. SKC wasn’t just any mall. It was the crown jewel of Cabinda, maybe even the whole country, known around the world for luxury and style. Brands dreamed of getting in. Once you made it, your name was set. Getting kicked out meant disaster, starting with a ruined reputation.
Olivia and her mother, Elizabeth, could hardly believe what they were hearing. The Main family had jumped through every hoop just to get Olivia this endorsement deal. They’d spent a fortune, all so Olivia could ride the wave after winning her piano competition. Now, after all that work and all that money, the brand was about to be tossed out. Suddenly, their big win was worthless. Instead of glory, all they got was a washed-up brand and a ton of regret. The anger between mother and daughter was almost electric.
Was Samantha really doing all this for Charlotte? Andrew liked her, and now Samantha was clearly on her side too. With both of Cabinda’s most powerful families tied to Charlotte, Olivia felt her heart sink.
She glanced over at Charlotte, who was sprawled out on the sofa, phone in hand, texting someone. There was a gentle softness in her expression, something Olivia had never seen before.
Gentle? Ever since Charlotte came back from the countryside, she’d been nothing but cold and distant, her face set in stone. She never let her guard down, not for anyone. Was she really chatting with that man?
The more Olivia thought about it, the more upset she became. She’d seen Charlotte get into a fancy car that night, but she hadn’t seen the driver’s face. Was he some old guy? With Charlotte’s looks, she could have anyone she wanted. Olivia knew she was attractive too, so why did she keep coming up short against a so-called country girl?
Her hand curled tighter at her side, nails digging into her palm, eyes filling with bitterness.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns