Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Mrs. Reid, Not Miss Shaw

Just as things were about to spiral out of control, Amelia covered her mouth in shock.

"Crack!"

The sharp snap of a dislocated joint sliced through the store's silence.

Natalie's wrist hung at a weird angle midair. Her other hand let go of the hanger and clutched her injured wrist, tears streaming down her face. "You vicious b*tch! First you snatched my dress, and now you went and hurt me! If you don't get on your knees, take me to the hospital, and pay for everything-including my 'emotional trauma'-this isn't over!"

Megan gave that evening gown a quick glance, then grabbed the deep-V neckline and tore it apart with a loud rip.

"Rippp!"

Everyone in the boutique was stunned.

Megan tossed the shredded dress right onto Natalie's face. "If you like it so much, just take it."

Then she pulled a wet wipe from her purse, calmly cleaning her hands. Afterward, she neatly stuffed the used wipe into the front of Natalie's shirt.

Natalie's face turned bright red from rage and humiliation. She threw both the dress and wipe to the floor and shouted at the shop assistant, "You all saw that, right? She ripped it! Call the cops on her! She obviously can't afford it!"

The sales assistant looked at Natalie like she'd lost her mind. I mean, come on-her man is Mr. Reid, the richest man in the country and probably soon to top the world list.

Without a word, Megan fished out a 3VIP card from her LX purse and handed it over. "Charge it to this 3V card."

The sales assistant's eyes sparkled-it was the only 3V card in the world. Owning it meant everything was free-new releases, limited editions, exclusive collections-all with priority access.

Receiving it with both hands, she said politely, "Miss Shaw, please give us a moment while we confirm with the manager."

Even with her face streaked in tears, Natalie couldn't stop mocking. "Oh please, quit pretending. Let's see how awkward you look when they find out it's fake!"

Less than a minute later, a woman with a heavy coat of makeup and killer curves marched over with the assistant trailing behind. She stopped in front of Megan, bowed respectfully, and held out the card. "Miss Shaw, welcome. I'm the manager of LX's Capitol City branch. Here is your card. You may select and take any item you like from the store, no charge, plus you get early access to future collections."

Megan nodded slightly and placed the card back in her purse.

Natalie froze, mid-sniffle, completely forgetting to cry. She blinked at the manager. "Wait. Are you sure that card's not fake?"

The manager smiled politely. "Sorry, miss. Miss Shaw is indeed the rightful owner of our 3V card. We kindly ask that you wait outside so Miss Shaw can enjoy our exclusive store-clearing service without disturbances."

Natalie, still holding her dislocated wrist, scoffed coldly, "Oh please, just some slut who slept her way up-"

"Who the hell are you talking about?"

A sharp male voice cut through the noise like ice.

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

Tristan walked in holding a chocolate ice cream cone.

Natalie instantly switched to her pitiful mode, her tone syrupy sweet, "Tristan, look! That's the same Megan who bailed on your engagement!"

Tristan barely glanced her way, his brows furrowing like he'd just seen something repulsive. He stepped aside without hesitation and walked straight to Megan.

He offered the ice cream to her lips, softening his expression, "See if you like it. Got it from Godiva."

Megan took a small bite, her smile warm and sweet. "Mm, delicious. Thanks, hubby."

The "hubby" nearly made his heart skip a beat.

Everyone else was just as shocked.

Tristan then turned to glare at Natalie, cold as frost. "Apologize."

Natalie's eyes teared up again as she tried her best to look pitiful. "Tristan, I-it wasn't me! She took my dress and then attacked me!"Tristan narrowed his sharp eyes slightly, scanning the scene. Yeah, his girl hadn't lost out at all.

Then suddenly, he felt a tug on his arm. Turning his head, he found her clinging to him, holding an ice cream in one hand, moping adorably.

"Honey, I'm scared," Megan pouted. "I saw that dress first, but that green-haired one insisted she spotted it before me, even tried to hit me. I just raised my hand, and whoosh-her wrist's like that now. And she even called you my benefactor."

Scared? And green hair?

What, was she colorblind?

Natalie: "......"

Amelia: "......"

Everyone else: "......"

Tristan's gaze grew darker. "Green hair? Seriously? Your wrist popped just from that? How much force did you use trying to hit my girl?"

His voice turned icy, "Say sorry, or your entire Banks family can pack up and leave Capitol City."

He'd seen Natalie before-second daughter of the Banks family, pampered and bratty all her life.

Natalie bit down on her lip, holding back tears, putting on the biggest victim act she could manage. "I'm sorry, Miss Shaw."

Tristan corrected her coolly, "Say Mrs. Reid."

Swallowing her pride, Natalie forced it out, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Reid."

"Happy now?" he asked gently.

Megan licked her ice cream contentedly and smiled, "Yep. Who knew some trash bins could smell so... fragrant."

She turned to the store manager, "Pack up everything I picked, thanks."

Just then, Tristan pulled out his wallet, ready to flash his black card.

Megan stopped him with a laugh, "Babe, I'm an LX 3V premium member. Everything's on the house."

Tristan blinked. Then, with a thoughtful look, slid the card back. His smile was faint, but his eyes lingered on her.

He picked up the ten shopping bags and added the ones from the couch, then slung an arm around her waist as they walked out together.

Natalie stomped her foot in frustration. "Amelia! Look at my wrist, I swear it's broken! That Megan witch totally humiliated me!"

She huffed, "I've always thought you and Tristan would be perfect together. Why did the Shaw family beat us to it? I mean, your Lewis family is way more powerful than theirs!"

Amelia looked at the couple's retreating backs, then turned to Natalie, "You should take this as a lesson. Loose lips sink ships. Let's go, I'll take you to a doctor."

Once the store cleared out, four salesgirls huddled around the manager.

"Manager, who is that girl from the Shaw family?"

"How does she have the only 3V card in the world?"

"And she even called Mr. Reid her husband! Didn't she bail on her engagement party before?"

"Seriously, the girl shops here for free. How's that fair?"

The manager threw them a cold glance, lip curling with a touch of sarcasm, "Even if the Shaw family isn't quite at the Reid family's level, they're still a big deal in Capitol City. That card? It's said to be personally made by Lila Moore herself, the designer and founder of LX. Gifted only because she's close friends with Mrs. Reid. You attract what you are. So instead of being jealous, maybe work on yourselves. There's a reason Mrs. Reid can keep someone like Mr. Reid loyal."

With that, she left.

In the car.

Tristan glanced at the girl still nibbling on chocolate ice cream. "Say 'honey' again. I wanna hear it."

Megan pouted slightly, "Nope. I'll say it tomorrow after we get our certificate."

"I really wanna hear it. Say it, and I'll literally give you my life."

His eyes were full of longing, and Megan melted.

"Honey," she whispered.

His eyes lit up like stars. With a chuckle, he asked, "Babe, is the ice cream good?"

"Sweet," she giggled, handing it to him.

"I don't buy it." Tristan's lips curved into a smirk.

Next second, he gently cradled the back of her head.

Then, his lips found hers.