Mrs. Lloyd stood off to the side, watching the warm, affectionate exchange between Effie and Lindy, her emotions a tangled mess of envy and resentment.
Suzan’s eyes widened with surprise. She didn’t know Lindy, but seeing Mrs. Lloyd treat her with such deference, she guessed Lindy must be someone of real standing.
Mrs. Etheridge!
Could this be the famously low-profile matriarch of the Etheridge family—the wealthiest family in Neo-Arcadia?
That thought sent a rush of uncertainty through Suzan, and she eyed Effie with newfound suspicion.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lloyd was treating Effie as if she were invisible, not even bothering to spare her a glance.
Wasn’t she a senior, too? Mrs. Lloyd’s irritation doubled at the thought.
Suzan, ever perceptive, noticed Mrs. Lloyd’s sour mood. She quickly grabbed a cup of tea and walked over. “Auntie, we’ve been shopping for ages. You must be tired. Why don’t you sit down and have some tea?”
This high-end boutique had a full spread—tea, fruit platters, and premium snacks—all complimentary for customers.
Mrs. Lloyd’s mood lifted almost instantly. She smiled and said, loud enough for others to hear, “Suzan really knows how to take care of people. She’s not only lovely but also so considerate of her elders. Our Mitchell is lucky to have her—unlike some people, who clearly missed out on basic manners.”
Mrs. Lloyd’s pointed gaze lingered on Effie. Lindy, catching the subtext, remembered hearing that Effie’s ex-boyfriend happened to have the last name Lloyd.
Realization dawned on Lindy. Was Mrs. Lloyd so intent on these not-so-subtle digs because Effie was her precious daughter-in-law’s rival?
Well, Lindy wasn’t about to let anyone bully Effie.
“Mrs. Lloyd, and this young lady is…?” Lindy gestured toward Suzan.
Mrs. Lloyd answered with obvious pride, “This is my son’s girlfriend. Isn’t she a sweetheart?”
“Hmph! Thank goodness Mitchell broke things off with you. Anyone who ends up with you is doomed.”
By the end, Mrs. Lloyd was practically cursing her.
Effie let out a cold chuckle. “Well, we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?”
Let’s see who ends up unlucky in the end. Clearly, they still had no idea what Suzan was really like.
Lindy soon emerged from the fitting room, absolutely glowing. She adored Effie’s taste; every dress was a perfect match. The pale blue gown with its subtle floral pattern looked elegant and refined, perfectly highlighting Lindy’s graceful aura—everyone in the boutique couldn’t help but notice.
By contrast, Mrs. Lloyd stood awkwardly with two brightly colored dresses Suzan had chosen—both loud and garish, lacking any sense of class.
It was no contest. The winner was obvious, and Mrs. Lloyd’s bravado crumbled in an instant.
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