Elena departed from the Clear Water Solution, intending to visit the mall to scout for jades and survey the area.
She was planning to return to the mall for zero-budget hoarding once the apocalypse hit.
A sly smile crept onto her face at the thought.
As she browsed the jewelry displays, her cousin Vivian appeared, and Elena's heart sank.
She wasn't in the mood for Vivian's usual lies and drama but forced herself to wear a cheerful mask.
"Vivi, what brings you here? Looking for jewellery too?" Elena asked, trying to sound enthusiastic.
Vivian flashed a knowing smile, clearly hoping to have Elena cover her expenses.
"Yes! I need a gift for a friend's birthday."
"Oh, how thoughtful," Elena replied, feigning ignorance.
At that moment, Nerisa, one of Vivian's friends, glanced at Elena with a hint of jealousy.
"Vivian, who's this?" she inquired.
Vivian introduced Elena, but Nerisa couldn't resist adding with a loud voice.
"Isn't this the cousin you talk about whose husband ditched her at the reception? The same husband you saw at the hotel with another woman!"
The atmosphere shifted as all eyes turned to Elena, pitying her like a heartbroken damsel.
Tension filled the air.
Elena exchanged a questioning smile with Vivian, thinking, Is my life now gossip for these women?
"Vivi, it seems you've shared some family secrets with strangers. How generous of you," Elena remarked, her smile turning icy.
Vivian was flustered, unsure why her friend Nerisa was spilling family details.
Before she could defend herself, Elena smirked at Nerisa.
"Tsk, who are you to make accusations? On my wedding day, my husband had to leave for an urgent police call. He's a respectable policeman, and you're claiming he was with someone else? You're assuming the worst!"
Everyone in the jewelry store glanced between Elena and Nerisa, silently questioning the truth of the accusations.
Vivian was at a loss.
She didn't want to escalate the situation, especially with her father reminding her to maintain appearances during the ongoing share transfer.
"Stop it, Nerisa! I never said it was a woman! I just saw my cousin's husband at the hotel—maybe he was on a mission," Nerisa said, trying to mitigate the situation.
"Don't be scared, Vivi. Is she threatening you? I know she's just making excuses," Nerisa added, as if confident she was right and Elena was telling lies.
Elena responded calmly, "Which of your eyes saw me threatening my cousin?"
Suddenly, Elena recalled an incident from the past.
She had seen Nerisa with her uncle at a hotel.
When she asked her uncle about it, he claimed he was meeting with a film company.
Elena then argued with her Uncle and Nerisa —she believed her uncle was cheating.
Now, it seemed like Nerisa was seeking revenge, filled with envy and jealousy.
"Oh, I remember you at the Blackshear Hotel with my uncle. What were you two doing there alone? Don't give me excuses; I already checked with the receptionist, and they confirmed you were both alone. If Aunt finds out, I can only imagine the drama."
Gasps filled the store as the new drama unfolded, shock painted on everyone's faces.
Nerisa went pale, realizing she had antagonized Elena and now feared Vivian would discover the truth.
"Is this true, Nerisa?" Vivian asked, shocked.
She had introduced Nerisa to her father for investment, not to sleep with him.
Nerisa fell silent, unable to explain.
Elena wasn't finished. Since Vivian wanted to air family secrets, she would help.
"By the way, Vivi, you said you saw my husband at the hotel? You're with this guy, hmmmp Marcus. What were you doing there together? Your family is quite open-minded about hotel visits. If Aunt knows, she will be shocked."
Vivian's classmates gasped, realizing that Marcus was Lydia's fiancé.
The implications were scandalous.
Vivian, now flustered, hurried to defend herself.
"Sis, it's not what you think! It was raining, and we needed a place to rest!"
Elena raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
"Oh, Vivi, we understand," she said mockingly.
Vivian glared at her cousin, silently screaming, What do you know?
She held back her anger, knowing that revealing too much could ruin her reputation.
"See, Vivi? This is how you treat family affairs. Since you like sharing our secrets, let everyone know. Are you happy now?" Elena whispered and smiled sweetly.
Vivian stood there, unable to respond, staring in disbelief at her cousin's newfound confidence and sharpness.
Feeling victorious, Elena turned back to the counter.
"Is my jade order ready? I'll take it now. And oh, my cousin Vivian will be paying for it."
Vivian was dumbfounded.
Nerisa glared at Elena, seething with anger but worried about how to explain things to her best friend.
Elena strutted out of the jewelry store, leaving a bewildered crowd. Her confidence radiated as she exited.