?Chapter 261:


    She should bring Jarrod along, hoping that he might stumble upon an even grander prospect.


    Morning arrived with a new invitation from Stacy, who wanted to take Rosanna out shopping. Recently back from a trip to Galote with an older lover, Stacy jumped at the chance to reconnect the moment she heard that Rosanna was about to marry into the Ward family.


    Tired of living as someone’s mistress, Stacy was desperate to w her way into the world of the truly wealthy, and she saw Rosanna as her best bet.


    Since Rosanna needed the perfect jewelry toplement her uing MCN gown, she epted Stacy’s offer, and together they headed to Harmony za.


    Hourster, after wandering from boutique to boutique, both were beginning to feel the weight of exhaustion. Then, Stacy suddenly pointed in a direction and said, “Look! Isn’t that Maia?” Her tone was dripping with contempt. “First, she gets us thrown out of the mall. Now she won’t stop making your life miserable. Don’t worry, Rosanna. I’ll make sure she pays for it.”


    Determined to prove her worth, Stacy was eager to show that she could be an asset if Rosanna ever opened the doors to the elite for her.


    A sharp chill settled in Rosanna’s gaze as soon as she heard Stacy’s words.


    Across the mall, Maia was enjoying a leisurely afternoon with Pattie, browsing the newest arrivals from several high-end brands. Pattie had originally convinced Maia that it was all in the name of gathering creative ideas for her next batch of MCN designs.


    Truth be told, Pattie was more interested in shopping for herself than helping with any real creative work.


    Lunch was already on Maia’s mind, and she was practically drooling over the thought of dining at the new fusion restaurant that had just opened upstairs. Word had it, the food there was divine. They had just wrapped up the call to secure a private dining room.


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    From somewhere behind them, a voice dripping with mockery cut through the air. “Well, well. If it isn’t the famous K herself, Maia Watson. Been hiding outtely, haven’t you?” Stacy taunted.


    At the sound, Maia slowly turned to face them, her expressionposed as she met the eyes of Rosanna and Stacy.


    With a sweet smile that barely concealed her anger, Rosanna said, “Maia, how have you been? Vince and I are celebrating our engagement this weekend. You’ll be there, won’t you?”


    Pattie’s face instantly twisted into a frown, and she cursed silently. Seriously? Did she and Maia have to run into these clowns everywhere?


    Tugging discreetly at Maia’s sleeve, Pattie muttered under her breath, “Just ignore them. They’re not worth your time.” Maia responded with nothing but a polite smile.


    The sight of it made Rosanna’s smile falter.


    Pattie’s sharp tongue had humiliated Rosanna before. Knowing she would likely lose if another round of verbal sparring started, Rosanna wisely held back.


    Without missing a beat, Stacy rushed to seize the moment. “What’s wrong? Speechless? Or are you just bitter? Rosanna’s being generous, even inviting you. It’s an honor, you know, letting you witness her big moment! Did you really think cklisting us from MCN changed anything? Let me tell you—Rosanna will be unting one of MCN’s finest custom gowns at the party. That’s real luxury, Maia! And even if you’re too petty toe, don’t worry. The whole world will watch the event live. You can stew in your jealousy from some dark little corner.”


    Noticing that Maia remained silent, Stacy smirked, convinced she had finally managed to hit a sore spot.


    But Rosanna didn’t speak either, so Stacy figured she needed to press harder.


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