Chapter 2

2

The birthday party ended in shambles.

My chest felt suffocated, so I headed straight to an upscale shopping boutique downtown to clear my head and pick up a few designer bags.

While the sales associate stepped away to check the back room, I was browsing a limited-edition display when Savannah's voice rang out behind me.

"Janine?"

"Are you working here as a sales clerk now?"

I turned around to see Savannah looking at me with a condescending smirk.

I knitted my brows, genuinely baffled.

My outfit was casual and minimalist, but there was no way anyone with eyes would mistake me for retail staff.

Yet Savannah rushed over, grabbing my hand with exaggerated pity in her eyes.

"Oh, Janine, I knew it! You took out so many loans and worked multiple part-time jobs just to afford that birthday venue, didn't you? Please don't push yourself like this anymore."

I yanked my hand back with disgust.

"You're delusional."

Her eyes instantly welled up with dramatic tears.

"I only want to help you, Janine! Can you stop acting so arrogant for once?"

Disgusted by her performance, my voice turned cold.

"If you want to buy something, take it to the register. Keep me out of your little drama!"

"Janine, woman to woman, I understand how hard life is for you. But please, stop making things difficult for me, okay?"

"I won't hold your past against you, but moving forward, let's just go our separate ways..."

"What kind of utter nonsense are you spouting?"

Losing my patience as she crept closer and closer, I pushed her away.

Savannah seized the momentum, tumbling backward dramatically and crashing hard into a heavy glass showcase behind her.

Before I could even process what happened, Landon charged in from the corridor, catching her in mid-air and pulling her tightly against his chest.

"Savannah! Are you hurt?"

He then whipped around, glaring at me with raw fury.

"Janine Mercer! Proposing to Savannah was entirely my decision! She had nothing to do with it! If you want revenge, come at me!"

"If anything happens to her, I swear on the Crawford family name, I will ruin you completely!"

I slowly lowered my hands, catching the smug, triumphant glint in Savannah's eyes.

Instantly, she switched back to her timid, terrified facade.

"Landon, don't be like that... I just found out Janine works here. She probably pushed me because she hasn't met her sales quota and wanted me to buy something..."

Landon let out a disdainful sneer.

"In her dreams."

"I will report everything that happened here to your store manager. Savannah, let's go."

Halfway to the exit, Landon paused and looked back over his shoulder.

"Janine, the more pathetic stunts you pull, the more I despise you."

"Know your place."

I took a slow, deep breath, watching them walk out before muttering under my breath.

"Whatever you say."

After all, the billionaire owner of this entire luxury retail chain happened to be a close personal friend of my family.

A store manager was just an employee.

My dedicated sales associate hurried back, looking anxious.

"Ms. Mercer... are you alright?"

I shook my head calmly.

"I'm fine. Wrap up the bags I selected earlier and deliver them to my penthouse."

"As for the damages caused by that woman and her fiancé, bill Landon Crawford directly. I'll notify your corporate owner with their details."