The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 53: Chapter 53

"Serena, are you free this weekend? Maybe we could go shopping together?" Daisy approached Serena's desk and tentatively suggested.
Serena looked up from her design drafts and smiled. "Sure, I haven't gone shopping in ages. Actually, I was thinking of picking up a couple of new outfits myself."
As Erika passed by, she rolled her eyes and said sarcastically, "You really know how to suck up. What a brown-noser."
Daisy's face instantly flushed crimson with embarrassment. She bit her lip nervously, looking utterly at a loss.
Serena closed her design drafts, looked at Erika with a smile, and said, "Suck up? That's what you're best at. Who in this company could ever compete with you?"
Erika snapped, "Serena, what exactly do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean? Well, I suppose the reason the company treats you so well must have something to do with all your dedication, right?" Serena sneered.
Daisy couldn't help but lower her head to hide a smile. In an instant, all her frustration vanished, and the tears she'd been holding back never fell. 'Serena is just so amazing,' she thought admiringly.
Erika's face darkened as she glared at Serena, then turned to shoot Daisy a venomous look.
She lifted her chin haughtily with a contemptuous snort, then spun on her heel and stalked off.
Daisy gazed at Serena with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you, Serena," she said softly.
Serena gave her shoulder a reassuring pat and said, "It's okay. Don't take her words to heart."
"Actually, I come from a modest background. It took me so much effort, through my hard work, to earn this chance to study overseas, so I really can't afford to offend anyone," Daisy hesitated.
"Daisy, just be yourself. Don't worry about the rest," Serena smiled.
It was a sunny weekend. Serena and Daisy headed to a mall downtown.
Daisy was dazzled by the overwhelming selection of goods. She picked through the items with utmost care, terrified of accidentally blowing her tight budget.
Erika strutted through the mall, her arm hooked around Jacob Banks', hands loaded with designer shopping bags. She cast haughty glances around, clearly eager for everyone to notice her.
'It took me long enough to land a rich playboy like Jacob. This outing, I have to pester him into buying me at least a couple more luxury designer bags,' she wondered.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Erika spotted two familiar faces. Upon closer inspection, she was surprised to see that it was none other than Serena and Daisy.
They strolled along, ice creams in hand, chatting and laughing with carefree ease.
Erika made a show of swinging her brand-new limited-edition designer bags and strutted haughtily toward Serena and Daisy. "Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Gray. Slumming it in a place like this? Aren't you afraid of embarrassing yourself?"
Serena and Daisy stopped and looked over at Erika.
Daisy looked ill at ease, instinctively clutching her shopping bag tightly. She lowered her head slightly, avoiding direct eye contact with Erika.
Serena gave Erika a once-over and smirked. "What a coincidence. You just keep turning up everywhere, don't you? Ugh, what a nuisance."
Erika demanded, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing much. It's just that this mall is pretty spacious, yet some people insist on trailing after us like lost puppies. How desperately clingy," Serena sneered.
Erika snapped, "Serena, this isn't some place where any riffraff can just wander in. If you can't afford anything, stop putting on airs."
Jacob had been growing impatient with Erika's incessant chatter, but his eyes lit up the moment they landed on Serena.
Today, Serena wore a simple white dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, exuding effortless elegance, a stark contrast to Erika, with her heavy makeup and flashy, tacky style.
Jacob's gaze lingered on Serena. He thought to himself, 'Damn, this woman is so alluring.'
He gave a little cough, adjusted his suit with a flourish, stepped forward, and put on his most charming" smile, or so he believed. "Hello there, beautiful. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
Serena wrinkled her brow slightly and subtly stepped back.
"Mr. Banks, why waste your breath on trash like her?" Erika quickly stepped forward, tightening her grip on Jacob's arm to half-shield him behind her.
Hearing this, Serena remained perfectly composed as she responded. "Erika, swinging around a few designer bags doesn't magically give you a halo. No amount of luxury can cover up poor breeding.
Erika choked, her face turning livid as she clutched her bags with pale-knuckled intensity.
Jacob couldn't take his eyes off Serena, his gaze lingering on her with obvious interest. He narrowed his eyes slightly, giving her a thorough once-over from head to toe.
"Pardon us, we're expected elsewhere." With that, Serena took Daisy by the hand and started to lead her away.
Jacob reached out to block their way. With a confident smirk, he called out, "Hey, don't leave so soon. You still haven't told me your name, Miss."
Erika was green with envy. She suddenly grabbed the dress right out of Serena's hands. "I'm taking this dress."
Serena was holding a light blue chiffon dress, simple yet elegant in design.
Daisy nervously tugged gently at Serena's sleeve and whispered anxiously, "Serena, m-maybe we should just leave?"
Serena gave Daisy a reassuring glance, then turned to Erika with a faint, mocking smile and said, "Erika, are you sure about this? This style doesn't seem to suit you at all.
Erika thrust out her chest with a sneer. "Everything looks fabulous on me. You, on the other hand, could make even designer clothes look like dollar-store rags."
Erika waved imperiously at a nearby sales associate and called out, "Miss, I'm taking this dress."
The sales associate hurried over, glancing between the dress Erika was pointing to and Serena, then said hesitantly, "Miss, let me fetch you a fresh one from the stockroom."
"Don't bother with a new one. I want this exact piece," Erika demanded imperiously. "Go on. Wrap it up for me."
Erika turned to Jacob, her voice syrupy sweet as she batted her eyelashes at him. "Mr. Banks, won't you buy it for me? Pretty please?"
Jacob felt his bones melt under Erika's coquettish gaze. With a dramatic wave of his hand and a smug grin, he declared, "Just a dress? Wrap it up."
He deliberately raised his voice, eager to flaunt his wealth in front of Serena.
Serena sneered inwardly, 'As if I'd care about some dress.'
The sales associate looked at Serena pleadingly, and she just shrugged indifferently. "Forget it. Just let her have it," Serena said to the sales associate.
Reluctantly, the sales associate wrapped up the dress Serena had just tried on and handed it to Erika.
Erika snatched up the dress with a triumphant smirk, waving it tauntingly in front of Serena to show off. "See? This dress is mine now. Even if you want it, you can't afford it."
"Oh really? It's just a dress. Why are you acting like you've won the lottery or something? Anyone watching might think you found the Holy Grail," Serena mocked.
"Y-You're just jealous," Erika spat furiously. "You can't even afford it."
"Jealous of you? What's there to envy about someone who needs a man to buy her clothes?" Serena sneered.
"Serena—" Erika sputtered, her face twisted with rage.