Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
Suddenly, Yelena’s heart skipped a beat when she finally received Elspeth’s phone call, but she never expected Elspeth to be unconcerned and even pleased with the news.
“Why are you worried? Don’t you realize this is a great opportunity to boost your popularity?” Elspeth asked.
“My fans are denouncing me,” Yelena hoarsely replied. “The damage just isn’t that bad yet.”
There were two camps of her fans: those who were sure she was innocent and those who were on the fence but made it clear they intended to denounce her. During that period, most of her fans had already done so, with several bashing her as they left her.
“That is a fleeting and unimportant fan base, just like those who denounce you does not matter. Furthermore, I don’t think many of your fans are abandoning you. It’s fine. These numbers will build back up in the future.”
After hearing that, Yelena felt her heart slowly settle down. “Do you have a plan in mind then, Elspeth?”
“Someone is pulling the strings this time, which is why you were framed,” Elspeth slyly explained. “We’ll be playing the long game to expose the mastermind.”
“You’re still the best!” Yelena exclaimed. After the call, she finally stopped worrying.
On the other hand, Hank felt envious when he saw how much his girlfriend worshiped Elspeth. “Day and night, you always rely on Elspeth. I don’t even know what you need me for. What can I give you as your boyfriend?”
The contrast between his usual calm and collected demeanor and the pitiful look on his face was so stark that she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“How could you be jealous of Elspeth?” Yelena asked, chuckling.
After she said that, he wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her into a hug. “I will be jealous of anyone and everyone, including high school classmates you’ve not seen for ten years,” Hank replied.
However, she was surprised by the sudden mention of Federick. “I’m not even close to him, though.”
“I can see that, but he’s clearly plotting something against you.”
Then, Hank’s matter-of-fact tone made Yelena raise a hand to pinch his cheeks. “What nonsense is that? There has never been anything between us. Why would he be plotting? You’re being paranoid.”
Her reply upset him, and he retorted, “Do you think that because you find my analysis wrong or because you think I should not have gotten wary due to his joke?”
When she heard that, she recalled Federick jokingly telling Hank, “Give me your girlfriend,” and it instantly sent chills down her spine. Soon, she realized after reflection that Federick probably meant what he said. “Maybe he just thinks it’s a joke between old schoolmates.”
“Didn’t you say the two of you didn’t know each other that well?” Hank grumbled.
His response had Yelena at a loss for words. “Very well,” she eventually said. “Since you’re upset by it, I’ll stay away from him in the future.”
As he knew she had nothing to do with Federick’s actions or feelings, her promise caused the ugly look on his face to fade away slightly. “There is absolutely no way I would let anyone else have you,” he swore.
The solemn way he handled the joke at that moment made her laugh again.
Following that, their conversation was cut short by a loud knock on the villa door.
So, Yelena ran over to open the door to find Hank’s mother, Simone, standing outside. After what Yelena had just been through, she was understandably shaken upon seeing Simone standing there. After all, Yelena was Hank’s girlfriend. She knew that if what had been said about her was true, the Damazios might refuse to accept her into their family. Although nothing had happened, the rumors existed.
Afterward, Yelena ducked her head and cautiously asked, “Mrs. Damazio, what brings you here?” She had been expecting an interrogation or a few rounds of frustrated questioning.
To her surprise, Simone instantly embraced her. Simone’s tone indicated she was in a bad mood but did not interrogate Yelena, instead sounding concerned. “Does it still hurt, Yellie? You went through all that pain and suffering,” she gasped.
As soon as Yelena heard that, she was filled with warmth. “I’m fine, Mrs. Damazio. Nothing happened to me.”
Yelena’s reassurance calmed Simone down. “That’s good,” she said with a sigh. “I heard Hank say you were once a victim of human trafficking. I was so scared for you that I could not sleep, constantly telling him to look for you.”
Seeing that Simone had dark circles under her eyes despite always prioritizing her skincare convinced Yelena that Simone viewed her as her daughter.
“I’m fine,” Yelena said. “I’m amazing, don’t you know? After being kidnapped, I bumped into an old friend who saved me. I was not hurt at all.”
Simone’s eyes lit up upon hearing that. “Who is that friend? The Damazios owe him a debt for saving you, so we must properly thank him.”
Yelena was about to nod in agreement when Hank drifted over to interrupt the conversation. “If you let your precious daughter-in-law go near that man again, she might run away with him,” he commented.
Simone did not understand what he meant by that at first. It took her a few moments before she eventually understood his implied message. However, she could not get angry at Yelena, so her only option was to direct her anger at Hank. “That would be due to your own incompetence in getting her to stay. If my daughter-in-law runs away, I will never forgive you.”
Her son shrugged when he heard that. It seemed like he had misspoken again.
In the meantime, Simone insisted on taking Yelena out on a shopping trip, as Yelena had suffered during her time away. Ultimately, Hank would follow along as they needed someone to carry their bags. So, he followed them since there was no way he could deny a request from his mother, and it was not safe for Yelena to leave the house unprotected.
Then, Simone led Yelena to the largest shopping mall in Damoria. Most of the mall’s foot traffic was concentrated on the first three levels because most of the stores on the upper floors were luxury stores that most people couldn’t afford.
Ever since Yelena became a star, she rarely went out shopping for her own clothes or accessories. The brands sent nearly every item she owned straight to her door. Thus, she lived quite a lavish life over the past few years. Additionally, she was also a daughter of the Sullivan Family. Her family was wealthy enough that she never had to worry about finances.
Due to how affectionate Simone was, Yelena did not feel good denying her request to head straight up to the fifth floor. The fifth floor of the mall was occupied by custom tailor shops. It was only natural for someone of Simone’s social standing to wear custom outfits instead of wearing the same style of clothes as everyone else.
In the meantime, after spotting Simone, the bored sales associate hovering near the doorway swiftly walked over to welcome them.
“It has been a long time since your last visit, Mrs. Damazio,” the sales associate greeted. Then, the sales associate smiled and led Simone further into the shop. “We have just released several new designs, and I have reserved those found in your size.” The sales associate was perceptive enough to remember Simone was a regular and had treated her like one.
However, Yelena was left behind and ignored. It wasn’t because the sales associate looked down on her. No matter how popular she was, she remained a celebrity who occupied a much lower status in the social hierarchy than a wealthy housewife.
Meanwhile, Simone had an unpleasant expression when she noticed the sales associate ignoring Yelena. “I didn’t come here to shop for myself,” she said. “I’m here to buy a few new outfits for my future daughter-in-law.”
The phrase “future daughter-in-law” prompted the sales associate to approach Yelena. Then, the sales associate respectfully greeted, “Oh, Miss Sullivan. This way, please. You are after a few new outfits, yes? Let me measure you first.”
Nonetheless, Yelena did not trouble the sales associate even though she had been ignored earlier because she knew this was just how society was. “Thank you,” she responded.
After being meticulously measured in a private fitting room, the sales associate presented Yelena with several outfits in her size. “As we are a bespoke tailor boutique, we typically only stock a few designs each season,” the sales associate explained. “These are what we have in your size. Have a look and let me know if you have any requests. We can come up with a custom design for you.”
Then, Yelena browsed the outfits brought to her. As expected of a bespoke tailor, the clothes were exquisite and covered in tiny details that no major brand could imitate. There was one dress that caught her eye. It was a tight-fitting white dress embroidered with white camellias. She was about to pick it up when a woman behind her reached out and snatched the dress away.
“This dress looks like it’s my size,” the young woman said. “Amy, wrap it up for me.”
On the other hand, Yelena was annoyed that a dress she liked had been taken from her, so she scowled at the tall young woman behind her. “Miss, I was looking at that dress,” she declared.
The woman nonchalantly looked down at her phone and tapped it as though she did not hear Yelena. After a few long minutes, the woman finally looked up to shoot her a dismissive look. “What are you staring at? Did you pay for it? If not, then it’s open for everyone to buy.”
Her remarks rendered Yelena speechless. This woman is not only rude and disregards social etiquette, but her attitude is also shameless.
The woman’s eyes suddenly went wide as though a realization struck her. “Aren’t you that infamous celebrity Yelena Sullivan? Everyone online is talking about your scandals, but you’re still in the mood to shop for clothes?”
Naturally, the scandal she was referring to was how Yelena was sold into a rural village, leading to speculation that she might have been defiled. It was evident from how blunt the woman was when referring to the rumors that she wanted to publicly humiliate Yelena. Nevertheless, those who wish to find fault in someone would always have an excuse to do so. Her words merely made her appear arrogant.
“Why are you so happy about that? Are you the person who started those rumors? Don’t you know that the punishment for defamation is years of imprisonment?” Yelena shot back.
Faced with multiple questions, the young woman panicked. “What are you babbling about? Prison? Stop trying to intimidate me,” the young woman scoffed. Then, she walked around Yelena, scanning her up and down before letting out a scornful smirk. “Your outfit isn’t worth that much. They’re so old and plain. Are you even worthy of shopping here?”
After hearing that, Yelena crossed her arms before her chest. However, she calmly glanced at the woman instead of getting angry. “Do you mean to say you are worthy of shopping here?”
“Of course. I am a VIP guest here.” The young woman held her chin up high like a proud little peacock.
Afterward, Yelena tutted. “You might be a VIP guest, but it’s clear the dress does not fit you.”
Her words infuriated the woman. In her mind, she was a perfect fit for the dress; she was beautiful, fair, and tall.
After noticing that the women were silent, Yelena criticized her heavily. After all, she was not a pushover. “Your waist is too thick. Your bosoms are not big enough. Your legs are too short. Your skin is in terrible condition. Pardon me, but can you not spend more on your own skincare? You look like you’re in your forties even though you are in your thirties.”
The young woman nearly choked in anger after hearing the scornful remarks. “Thirties?” she screeched. “I’m only 23 years old!
In response, Yelena held a hand up to her mouth in shock. “What? You look so much older.”
Meanwhile, Hank stood not far away, listening to his girlfriend curse someone out without using vulgar language. He admired how high-brow his beloved’s insults were. Given that she can handle that woman, I should refrain from interfering with their conversation.
The young woman nearly lost control of herself as she did not expect to be so utterly humiliated. “You -” she shrieked as she was stuck in an awkward scenario where she could not leave, with or without the dress. Ultimately, she flung the dress on the floor and violently stomped on it.
Yelena frowned in response, surprised by how extreme the woman’s reaction was. “That is a dress the designer slaved over. How can you do this to it?” she scolded.
“I’ll pay for it later,” the woman impatiently retorted. “Mind your own business!” It’s only a dress. If I can’t have it, no one else can!
As soon as the woman said that, someone stepped out from the inner room.
In the meantime, Simone had heard the designer was present in the shop that day, so she headed into the inner room to discuss the next season’s outfits with the designer. She had not expected to hear people arguing in the store. The moment she walked out, she was greeted by the sight of someone trying to bully Yelena.
