<b>Chapter </b><b>567 </b>
“Wee!”
Wendy and her coworker Vicky greeted the two women walking through the café doors.
The one in the YSL dress was Tonya, and her friend trailing behind was Sydney.
They approached the counter and acted like they didn’t recognize Wendy at all.
Sydney, what do you want? It’s on me,” Tonya offered.
“I’ll take the signature coffee.”
Wendy was about to ask Vicky to take their order, but Tonya pointed at her and said, “No, I want you to do it.”
Without saying a word, Wendy entered the order.
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Tonya raised her hand to scan and pay, but Sydney grabbed her wrist dramatically. “Oh my god, Tonya, your diamond bracelet is gorgeous! When did you get this?”
Tonya lifted her wrist and unted it right in front of Wendy. “It was a gift from my dad.”
“Is it expensive?” Sydney asked.
“Not really,” Tonya replied with a smirk. “Only a few tens of thousands.”
Sydney gasped even louder, “Wow! Your dad really spoils you. You’re totally the princess of your family. I’m so jealous!”
Wendy nced at the bracelet. It really was stunning–dazzling diamonds, the kind that caught the light just right.
And pierced right through her heart.
She knew Tonya was doing this on purpose. Showing off to make her feel like trash. ssic.
Ever since her parents‘ divorce, Wendy and her brother had lived with their mom, who never remarried. Meanwhile, her father married again within a year and brought a new wife and Tonya–a girl two years younger than Wendy–into his life.
They formed a shiny new family.
Wendy thought they could coexist peacefully, but Tonya <b>and </b>her mom were nightmares. Always finding ways to humiliate her and her mother–emotional jabs, public put–downs, materialistic jabs…
It had be routine.
Wendy liked to believe she was strong. But sometimes, just remembering that her father belonged to someone else’s family now- never thinking of her again–still hurt.
“Make sure you bring the drinks to our table,” Tonya instructed as she walked off.
Once the drinks were ready<i>, </i>Wendy brought the tray over to their table.
Tonya turned on the fake concern. “Wendy, why are you working in a ce like this? Does Dad even know? He’d be so embarrassed. Want me to find you a more… respectable job?”
“No thanks. I earn my living with my own hands, and there’s nothing embarrassing about that.”
Wendy shut her down without hesitation.
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Sydney, clearly offended by her tone, chimed in. “Wendy! Who do you think you are? Tonya was being nice, and that’s how you respond?”
“What, and you’re so free you’ve got time to stick your nose in my business?”
That jab hit home.
Sydney shot to her feet. “Wendy! Who do you think you’re talking to? You’re just a barista! Ever heard the phrase ‘customer is king‘? You talk to us like that, I swear I’ll report you!”
“Go ahead! It’s not like you haven’t reported me before. I’ve lost jobs because of yourints already. One more won’t kill me. Better than getting chased around by rabid dogs.”
Wendy had had enough. She wasn’t going to take it anymore. The more she backed down, the more they’d torment her.
“Did you just call me a dog? Wendy, you bitch!”
Sydney jabbed a finger toward her face, but Wendy pped her hand away.
Furious, Sydney grabbed her coffee and flung it at Wendy.
Wendy raised her arm to protect her face, but the drink sshed on her clothes, her arm, and even her hair.
Tonya watched with glee, but tried to act sympathetic. “Oh no, are you okay?”
“Hmph! That’s what you get for mouthing off,” Sydney sneered triumphantly.
Sure, Wendy was an employee and technically shouldn’t fight back, but she had officially reached her limit.
Without hesitation, she grabbed the second coffee and threw it back.
“Ahhh!”
Sydney screamed as the coffee soaked her head, face, and outfit. Her carefully curated appearance waspletely destroyed.
“Wendy, how dare you!” she shrieked.
Tonya gasped dramatically, “You can’t do that! You should apologize!”
“I’m not apologizing. You should be grateful it wasn’t hot coffee.”
Wendy turned and walked off. Sydney screamed behind her, “You fat bitch! I’m reporting you! You’ll regret this!”
She stormed out of the café, Tonya following after her.
Vicky, shaken, ran over. “Wendy, what do we do? They’re definitely going toin. If the manager finds out, this could be bad. Should I go apologize on your behalf?”
Wendy held her back. “Don’t. I’ll handle my own mess.”
15:17 Tue, 2 Sept W
Outside, Caitlin and Zinnia were just approaching the café when they saw a woman storm out, covered in coffee.
The woman was shouting curses as she walked. “That fat cow! That damn bitch! This isn’t over! She’s gonna pay!”
Another woman followed behind her–well–dressed and very familiar.
Caitlin recognized her immediately. That was Tonya, Wendy’s half–sister.
Watching the two women walk off, Caitlin frowned and quickly stepped inside.
She found one girl mopping up a mess near the tables, coffee stains still visible on the floor and tabletop.
Behind the counter, Wendy was wiping coffee off her arms and clothes.
“Wendy!”
Wendy looked up. “Caitlin, you’re here!”
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“I saw Tonya outside. Did theye here to mess with you again?”
Wendy didn’t want to talk about it, but under Caitlin’s persistent questions, she finally told her everything.
After hearing the story, Caitlin’s anger burned beneath her calm expression.
“Your break should be starting <i>now</i><i>, </i>right? Come eat lunch with me.”
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Wendy followed Caitlin to a nearby restaurant. They had lunch, chatted, and before long, Wendy had to head back for her shift.
Once she left, Caitlin knew there were many ways <i>to </i>help Wendy out.
But for this specific situation, there was someone even better suited than her to handle it.
She dialed Benjamin’s number,
His voice came through the line. “Didn’t expect a call from you. What’s up?”
“Where are you right now? Wendy just got harassed–do you know that?”
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