Chapter 9 Snatch Things
The cashier was surprised by G.
sudden demand but
quickly pulled herself together. “Sorry, but this tie’s already been reserved by this young lady. Would you like to check out some other styles?”
Grace rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. “She hasn’t paid for it yet. How can you say it’s reserved? I don’t want anything else; I want this tie!”
Violet frowned, ready to stand up to Grace.
But just as she moved forward, someone grabbed her wrist.
Audrey shook her head slightly, signaling Violet to hold back.
“Uh…” The cashier looked conflicted, glancing between Grace and the card she was holding, unsure what to do.
“Grace, just drop it. Don’t make it hard for them,” Ava chimed in, having overheard the exchange.
Ava casually placed her hand on her belly with a smile as she turned to Audrey and Violet. “Hey, Audrey, Violet. It’s been a while.”
Audrey’s eyes dropped to Ava’s hand on her stomach, darkening her expression.
Chapter 9 Snatch Things
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“Don’t call us that; it sounds gross. We’re not that close,” Violet snapped, her temper flaring at Ava’s presumption.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Ava’s eyes lowered, looking like someone who’d been wronged.
Of course, Grace jumped in right away, saying, “Ava, why are you apologizing to them? If anyone should apologize, it’s that little brat over there!”
Violet’s face hardened. “Who are you calling a brat?”
“Not you, so why are you getting all worked up? Oh, right, I forgot–you’re Audrey’s little sidekick. Did I hit a nerve?” Grace shot back, glaring at Violet before tossing her card at the cashier. “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and ring me up! Or I’ll make sure to file a complaint!”
The cashier’s face went pale as she bent down to pick up the card, casting an apologetic glance at Audrey.
“Miss, would you like to…”
“There’s a proper order to things. I really like this tie, and I don’t want to let it go,” Audrey said, her voice steady. She hadn’t wanted to get involved with Grace, especially with the divorce looming, but Violet was her line in the sand.
“If I don’t walk out with this tie today, I will file a complaint. And just so you know, I’m a VIP customer here. You can check; my name is Audrey Beaumont,” she added, her tone firm.
Chapter 9 Snatch Things
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Audrey had always loved this brand’s designs. Back when the Beaumont family was still respected, she was a frequent shopper, enough to be considered a VIP. Grace, though, was just someone passing by, always looking for trouble, and wouldn’t normally be caught in this store.
The cashier knew the difference between a complaint from a VIP
and one from a new customer.
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Beaumont! I’ll ring that up for you right away!”
As the cashier turned to leave, Grace’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Audrey! You can’t just take it from me!”
Audrey ignored her.
Watching Audrey stay calm only made Grace angrier. “Audrey, do you even have any shame left? Stealing men is bad enough, but now you’re out here stealing ties too! What else do you know besides taking things from others?”
“Watch your mouth!” Violet’s fists clenched at her sides. If Audrey wasn’t holding her wrist, she might have already slapped Grace.
Grace scoffed, “Am I wrong? If she hadn’t taken Theodore, Ava wouldn’t have run away for two years!”
“That’s nonsense! Ask her why she didn’t come back! Why don’t you find out what she did two years ago that made her leave? She could come back anytime, it’s not like someone broke her
Chapter 9 Snatch Things legs!”
“What do you mean?! Violet, you better explain!”
Violet shot Grace a cold look but didn’t answer, her eyes shifting to Ava instead.
Ava glanced up, panic flickering in her eyes.
“Grace, I’m tired. Why don’t we just go home?” she murmured, quickly avoiding eye contact with Violet.
But Grace was too worked up to listen.
“Violet, stop being cryptic! Just know that as long as I’m here today, this tie isn’t going anywhere with you!”
Grace turned her icy stare to Audrey, sneering. “Audrey, just because you took something doesn’t make it yours! A shameless person like you only deserves Theodore’s disgust!”
“Daughter of a convict, you’re just trash at your core!”
The sharp sound of a slap echoed in the tense air.
“Ava!”
“Violet!”
Audrey and Grace shouted almost at the same time.
In a shocking move, Ava stepped in front of Grace, taking the
Chapter 9 Snatch Things slap from Violet head–on.
“What on earth are you doing?!” A cold voice boomed from behind them.
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Before Audrey could make sense of it all, a strong force pulled her back, making her stumble. She lost her footing and hit the ground hard.
