Because of the giarism scandal, Suzan had be a pariah-no one wanted anything to do with her, and she hadn''t dared to set foot outside in days.


    Mitchell had already pulled some strings to wipe her name from the trending searches, but the damage was done. The story had been out there too long, and too many people had already seen it.


    Worse yet, Suzan was officially cklisted from the designmunity.


    No one wanted to work with a tainted designer. She was finished.


    All that was left for her was to fade into obscurity, working behind the scenes.


    Her dream of being a star designer was shattered.


    When Vera saw her daughter slumped on the couch, looking utterly defeated, she couldn''t help but sigh. "Look at you. Is this really how you want to live?"


    "Mom, can you please stop nagging me? I''m already stressed out enough," Suzan snapped, her tone impatient.


    Vera''s voice grew stern. "You''re going to let one little setback knock you down? You''re really going to let that wretch Effie get to you? Are you even my daughter?"


    She''d spoiled Suzan too much, made her na?ve and soft.


    Suzan rolled her eyes. "Then what do you want me to do, Mom? I can''t be a designer anymore. My career''s over."


    Vera scoffed. "So what if you can''t be a designer? You''ll inherit your father''s business one day. And don''t forget—your most important goal right now is to be Mrs. Lloyd. Focus on winning Mitchell over. Make him fall for you, and get on his mother''s good side, too."


    She spoke earnestly, as if passing down the secrets to life.


    Suzan hesitated, then nodded. Right-her real goal was to be Mrs. Lloyd.


    Forget being a designer. Who cared about that anymore?


    Her gloom evaporated; she straightened up, energized. "You''re right, Mom. I get it now."


    "That''s more like it. You''ve been cooped up here long enough. The scandal''s dying down-go out, get some fresh air, do some shopping."


    "Okay, I''ll get ready." Suzan''s spirits were already lifting.


    She knew that the giarism mess had changed the way Mitchell looked at her. He was helping her with the fallout, but she''d made things worse with her own clumsy handling.


    So she didn''t dare act spoiled around him anymore.


    But remembering her mother''s words, Suzan realized she couldn''t just wait around for things to fix themselves. She had to fight for what she wanted.


    After some thought, she decided her best move was to start with Adeline, Mitchell''s mother.


    Suzan had noticed that Mitchell respected Adeline''s opinions. Whenever something important came up, he''d always listen to her.


    So, the next morning, Suzan got the Lloyd family''s housekeeper to tell her where Adeline would be going that day. She spent extra time getting ready, dressed to impress, and arrived early at the mall.


    She was counting on a "chance" encounter.


    Adeline hadn''t been shopping in a while. The day before, her favorite boutique had called—they''d just gotten a new collection in, and she wanted to check it out.


    She hadn''t expected to run into Suzan.


    "Aunt Adeline! What a coincidence, seeing you here," Suzan greeted her, voice dripping with honey.


    "It really is, Suzan. You look busy these days-you''ve lost weight," Adeline replied warmly. She didn''t follow the news or social media, preferring to spend her time having tea, ying cards, or shopping with other societydies.


    She had no idea about Suzan''s recent scandal.


    Suzan rxed, relieved that Adeline didn''t seem to know what had happened. She smiled, keeping herposure. "Yes, work''s been hectictely."


    Since they''d bumped into each other, it only made sense to shop together.