Chapter 4 Floria
1053 Words
"Who is this?"
"Isn't she the imposter daughter from the Belbin family? Running away from home now, huh?"
"Such poor manners. The Belbin family is too kind to her. If it were me, I would've kicked her out long ago!"
Theodora ignored the gossiping whispers around her and responded coolly, "What does my being here have to do with you?"
Laura didn't expect Theodora to speak to her so bluntly in public. Her chest tightened with rage, but she forced herself to maintain the poise of a lady. "Do you even realize where you are? You claim to have cut ties with the Belbin family, yet here you are. Do you even have enough money to afford anything in this store?"
Cut ties?
The crowd immediately looked at her in shock, eagerly waiting for more drama.
Theodora was only eighteen. Without the Belbin family's support, what could she possibly do?
"The real question is, what does it have to do with you?" Theodora's voice was as icy as her gaze. "This store isn't yours, and the manager hasn't asked me to leave."
Laura's eyes widened in disbelief. Was this really the same obedient, well-behaved Theodora she once knew?
'So it has all been an act, huh? This is her true face!'
Tania stepped in with her usual sweet voice, "Theodora, don't be like this. Mom is one of the store's biggest clients. Floria herself values her. You know, Floria is the backbone of this place. One word from her, and you'll never be allowed in here again."
Laura immediately snapped back into control. She looked down at Theodora with disdain. "You're still here, huh?"
Turning to the store manager, she ordered with complete confidence, "I'm sure Floria won't approve of this rude girl. Ban her from the store permanently."
Her tone was so sure of herself.
After all, Floria was particularly fond of her.
And why would Floria care about a nobody like Theodora?
Tania, too, couldn't hide her smugness.
From now on, Theodora would be beneath them, someone they could trample on at will.
The manager, however, hesitated, glancing at Theodora with a strangely conflicted expression. "Is this your daughter?" he asked.
"She was," Laura said flatly. "Not anymore. Don't treat her any differently because of me."
The manager was dumbfounded.
He was about to explode!
'What nonsense!'
Laura didn't even realize who was causing her to be treated differently.
The manager had always been puzzled as to why Floria paid special attention to Laura. Laura wasn't particularly noteworthy in the socialite circle, and her new-money vibes often made her unpopular with other ladies.
But now he understood — Floria was actually Laura's daughter!
But Laura's attitude towards Floria was just appalling!
"It seems you won't need to come here anymore," Theodora said with a calm, almost indifferent tone.
Laura couldn't stop herself from laughing. "I? It seems we really spoiled you. You can't dictate my schedule, but believe me, with one word from me, you'll be out on the street."
She turned back to the manager, her voice cutting through the tension. "Sir!"
The crowd looked on, bewildered and scornful.
An imposter daughter, daring to defy her family?!
She must be out of her mind!
"Such a fool. The Belbin family is better off without a daughter like her."
"She's too young to get away with this. She needs a good lesson!"
Everyone was ready to watch Theodora get humiliated, but she simply looked at them with cold detachment and said, "No, I won't, but you will."
Her voice was calm and emotionless as she looked at the manager.
Before anyone could react, the manager turned to Laura and Tania. "I'm afraid we won't be able to serve you today."
He signaled to the security guards, who immediately escorted them out.
The entire scene left everyone speechless.
Laura and Tania stood outside in the cold, stunned by what had just happened. They were actually kicked out!
"What do you think you are doing?" Laura's face turned ashen.
Tania, also furious, added, "My mom is someone Floria cares about! How dare you treat her like this?"
Floria?
The manager glanced at Theodora, an expression of understanding crossing his face.
These two idiots didn't even realize that Floria was Theodora, the very person they'd just cut ties with!
The one they had tried to kick out of the store!
The manager, seeing that Theodora wasn't planning to reveal her identity, stayed silent.
He turned to them, his voice cold. "This is Floria's decision."
"What?" Laura's brow furrowed in confusion. "This is impossible! I demand to see Floria!"
The manager scoffed. "You had your chances before, but now? You won't get another one."
Laura gritted her teeth and stepped forward, only for the security to block her path.
She stood there, glaring at Theodora, who met her gaze with a chilling indifference. It was as though she was looking at a stranger, someone completely irrelevant to her.
The fear that suddenly washed over Laura was inexplicable, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Mom, does Theodora know the manager?" Tania whispered, her voice filled with doubt. "How else could she get the manager to throw us out? No wonder she dared to run away from home."
This gave Laura new insight. Her expression twisted in disgust. "That shameless little s**t. The manager is over forty years old — and she doesn't even feel embarrassed! Good thing we cut ties with her."
"I never thought Theodora would stoop this low. If Floria finds out, she'll be furious. After all, Floria is so fond of you," Tania sighed.
Laura nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "You're right. Floria probably has no idea what's going on. I have to see her and tell her the truth. Floria will make sure Theodora is banned for good."
With that, Laura could no longer bear the stares of others and quickly left with Tania.
Meanwhile, the manager's actions had caused people to look at Theodora in a new light.
Unfazed, Theodora walked with the manager to the upstairs office.
"Did you see? The new collection is very popular. Everyone's fighting over it. Should we continue with the usual method of letting people queue for the pieces?" the manager asked cautiously. "And should we still reserve clothes for Laura Belbin?"
- Writer
