Filed to story: Second Chance Mafia Bride Drama Novel
No one could’ve guessed that while Serena’s mother treated Nora like her dearest friend, Nora was already having an affair with Serena’s father. And barely had her mother’s funeral ended before Nora swept in as the new lady of the Greco house.
Years had gone by, and the Sinclairs seemed to have forgotten who’d made all their comfort possible. Delia, for example, strutted around Serena as if everything Serena had was actually Nora’s doing.
What a joke.
Eighty percent of the Greco family fortune had been built by Serena’s mother. Yet the moment she died and Nora married in, suddenly it all belonged to Nora? And now, Serena-her mother’s own daughter-was supposed to grovel and act grateful for spending what was rightfully hers?
In her previous life, Serena had been fooled, treating Nora as a beloved aunt and always trying to keep the peace. Even when she thought the Sinclairs were overstepping, she’d bit her tongue for Nora’s sake.
But this time? No more. She wasn’t about to let herself be trampled on again.
Delia, of course, had no idea what was going on in Serena’s head. She huffed, “Forget it, I won’t stoop to your level. Actually, it’s perfect running into you-I was just about to do some shopping!”
Her annoyance with Serena’s attitude was obvious, but she pushed it aside- she had more important things to worry about. After all, there was a whole pack of classmates behind her, waiting for someone to foot the bill. Her plan was simple: sweet-talk Serena, the perennial pushover, into paying for everyone first, and settle the score for the insult later.
“Shopping?” Serena raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I left my wallet at home. You can cover me, right?” Delia replied, as nonchalantly as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She turned to her friends, spreading her arms magnanimously. “Alright, everyone-pick out whatever you want! Don’t worry about me not having cash. It’s all taken care of!”
She was with five or six classmates, who exchanged quick glances and grinned. “Well, we won’t stand on ceremony, then.”
Serena gave a cold, amused smile, making no move to stop them, though her eyes hardened.
She remembered all too well how, in her previous life, she’d been nothing more than an ATM for the Sinclair family-especially Delia.
Delia had a habit of flaunting wealth in public with Serena’s money. This wasn’t the first time, either.
Every time, Delia would say, “Can you cover this, just for now?” Yet she’d never once paid her back.
It wasn’t that Serena failed to see Delia’s intentions; she knew perfectly well she was being taken for a fool. But, not wanting to put Nora in a difficult position, she’d always held her tongue.
But now? Ha!
“Ma’am…” Fiona’s voice was barely above a whisper, hesitant and worried.
Even she could see it-Delia was taking advantage of Serena!
“Don’t worry.” Serena raised a hand to halt whatever Fiona was about to say.
Her money wasn’t so easy to take this time.
With a calm turn, she strolled off to pick something out for Nicholas.
Seeing Serena make no move to stop her, Delia relaxed, assuming she was still the same gullible pushover as before. Delia happily headed next door into the women’s boutique, ready to indulge herself.
Without a second thought, she pointed at the most eye-catching dress on display -a vivid purple number front and center. “That one,” she told the sales associate, “I want to try it on!”
The saleswoman smiled professionally. “Ah, that’s our signature piece-the pride of our boutique. It’s priced at eighty-eight thousand eight hundred. Most customers don’t even dare ask about it, but you have exquisite taste and real confidence!”
Delia basked in the flattery, not caring about the price tag at all.
Eighty-eight thousand? Serena could easily handle that!
Soon enough, Delia and her friends had all picked out their outfits and disappeared into the fitting rooms.
Meanwhile, Serena idly toyed with the jeweled cufflinks in her hand, glancing at the fitting room door before beckoning Fiona over.
She curved her lips in a sly smile, leaned close, and whispered a few words.
Fiona’s eyes lit up, and she nodded at once.
As Fiona hurried away, Serena pulled out her phone in high spirits and sent a message to Nicholas.
[Serena: Darling, what’s your favorite color?]
[Nicholas: Navy blue. Why?]
[Serena: Secret!]
Seeing his answer matched exactly the color of the cufflinks she’d picked out, Serena’s eyes sparkled with delight.
-Decision made.
A few minutes later, Delia and her group emerged from the fitting rooms, each holding their chosen clothes.
Serena glanced up and nearly laughed out loud when she saw what they’d picked, flashing Fiona an appreciative look.
Well played!
“We’re ready. Wrap these up for us, would you?” Delia said, lifting her chin at the saleswoman.
The associate, eager to please such a generous shopper, quickly packed all the clothes into glossy bags.
“Delia, you’re so generous! My dress is eight thousand-are you really giving it to me?”
“And mine was eleven thousand…”
Delia waved a hand, smug and dismissive. “Of course I am. I keep my word. It’s just a few tens of thousands-hardly a big deal.”
Her classmates beamed and showered her with even more praise.
Delia was practically floating, loving every minute of it.
Just then, the saleswoman announced, “That’ll be one hundred forty-four thousand in total, miss. Would you like to pay by card or cash?”
Delia, well-practiced in this routine, didn’t hesitate. She turned immediately toward Serena.
Serena lounged on the plush sofa set out for customers, her long legs elegantly crossed as she idly scrolled through her phone, paying absolutely no attention to the commotion around her.
“Serena!” Delia called.
Serena finally lifted her stunning, almost breathtaking face, her voice lazy and indifferent. “Yeah? Need something?”
“Come over here. It’s time to pay!”
“You pay for it. What’s it got to do with me?” Serena arched an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled.
Delia exchanged a glance with her friends, then suddenly shoved the armful of clothes they’d picked out onto the counter with a huff. “We’ve already cut off all the tags. We have to buy them now!”
Delia shot Serena a smug look.
Did Serena really think she didn’t know what she was up to? Delia had overheard everything from inside the fitting room-the conversation between Serena’s maid and the sales clerk.
Store policy: once the tags are gone, there are no returns or exchanges.
So Serena had tried to get her maid to tell the staff that she wouldn’t be paying for the clothes, leaving the girls to return them themselves? Nice try. But with all the tags snipped off, there was no way out-Serena would have to pay.
Watching Delia gloat, Serena couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
She leaned back, arms folded across her chest. “Seriously, Delia, are you out of your mind? You pick out the clothes, you pay for them. Are you really not getting this?”