"It''s my own recipe," Effie said with a gentle smile. "It works pretty well. Try it on a small area first-if you like it, keep using it. If it doesn''t suit you, just toss it."
Fidelia let out a little gasp, her face lighting up with surprise. "Wow, I had no idea you were this talented! I can''t believe you actually made this yourself."
Before Effie could reply, a mocking voice cut through the conversation.
"What''s so impressive about that? With the inte these days, everyone acts like an expert. Watch a few videos, skim some so-called ancient remedies, and suddenly everyone''s got a ''secret form.'' Who knows what''s actually in it? You put that on your face or drink it down, and only they know what''ll happen. Seriously, you''d better be careful. Don''t just put random stuff on your skin-if your face breaks out, it''ll be toote to regret it."
Annoyed, Fidelia turned to see Suzan—and trailing behind her, Mitchell.
Fidelia shot Suzan a re. "Seriously? What''s wrong with you? We''re having a conversation. Why are you butting in? Whether I use it or not is none of your business."
Some people just couldn''t take a hint.
Clearly, the lesson Suzan got at the crafts storest time hadn''t been harsh enough.
Judging by her attitude, Suzan probably didn''t even care about these little trinkets; she was likely buying them for that same snarky kid who''d mocked Fidelia before.
"Can''t get attention elsewhere, so youe looking for it here, huh?" Fidelia snorted.
Suzan''s expression shifted instantly-she understood exactly what Fidelia meant.
If Mitchell found out about that humiliating incident, who knew what he''d think of her?
Suzan shot a nervous nce at Mitchell, but he was busy scrolling through his phone, seemingly oblivious to the drama unfolding beside him.
Suzan let out a quiet sigh of relief, then snapped at Fidelia, "I was just trying to help. Some people really don''t appreciate it."
"Oh, you''re suddenly so thoughtful?" Fidelia said, raising an eyebrow.
She paused, then added, "Since you don''t want me to try it, all the more reason I should."
Suzan smirked. She''d thought Fidelia was clever, but apparently she was just reckless.
It''s her own face-let her do what she wants.
"Go ahead, put it on," Suzan urged, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Then, lowering her voice, Suzan leaned toward Mitchell and murmured, "Effie''s hobbies are a little scary, don''t you think? ying chemist with people''s faces. Good thing Auntie used Effie''s mask and hasn''t had any problems...yet. Otherwise, that would''ve been a disaster."
Mitchell finally looked up, his eyes thoughtful as he turned to Effie. "Effie, where did you get those face masks? Are there any side effects or risks?"
Effie shot him a cold look. "You''re asking now, after everyone''s been using them for so long? Isn''t it a littlete for that?"
Mitchell frowned. "Effie, this is about people''s health. Doesn''t that matter to you?"
Effie''s voice was icy. "There''s nothing wrong with what I made. Believe it or don''t -I don''t care."
Fidelia quickly chimed in, "That''s right! If my sister-inw made it, I trust it."
She nced at Effie. "Next time, don''t give your stuff to people who don''t deserve it. If you want to share, give it to me-I love it."
With that, Fidelia scooped out a bit of the ointment and dabbed it onto one of the angry red spots on her face.
Her breakouts had gotten so bad that makeup could barely cover
them, and any attempt only made t
vel
things worse. So she''d stopped bothering with foundation
altogether at least it made applying
the treatment easier.
Honestly, Fidelia was mostly putting on a brave face. She didn''t want Suzan and
her crowd to look down on Effie.
But as she smoothed the cool balm
onto her skin, something unexpected happened. Maybe it was just her imagination, but the stinging pain from the blemishes seemed to fade away, reced by a soothing chill.