Chapter 11 Just to Show Off?


    Back when Tracy got shipped off to the Angelic Etiquette Academy, the person she couldn’t stop thinking


    about was Norris.


    He was her childhood crush, the guy who grew up with her, the one who once said he’d always protect her and had even been engaged to her.


    If it hadn’t been for him, she never would’ve snuck past Franklin’s security two years ago to meet him. That was how she ended up walking right into that alley with no cameras, only to get grabbed by the Jackmans’ people and thrown into the institution.


    Now, no one seemed to notice how pale she looked. Everyone was way too busy hyping Erin up, showering her withpliments.


    “Mr. Gill treats Ms. Jackman like royalty. I’m honestly jealous.”


    “They make such a gorgeous couple. It’s like they’re meant to be.”


    “She’s almost done with school, right? A wedding’s probably just around the corner!”


    Erinughed shyly. “Norris is too much. I keep telling him I’ve got plenty of clothes, but he keeps buying


    more.”


    Even though she sounded like she wasining, her face showed how happy she really was.


    Daphne gave her hand a squeeze, smiling like she couldn’t be prouder. “There’s no such thing as too many outfits. The Gills are loaded anyway, and Norris clearly adores you.”


    Tracy stood off to the side, quiet, almost invisible. She watched Erin’s bashfulness, Daphne’s glowing pride, and everyone else’s cheerful smiles. It felt like every nce was a stab straight to her numb heart.


    Then, like she’d only just realized Tracy was even there, Erin turned to her with a wide-eyed look. “Tracy, why aren’t you saying anything?”


    Just like that, everyone looked at Tracy. Some looked curious, others confused. It was like they were all wondering, Wait, who is she?


    Totally unfazed-or maybe pretending to be-Erin smiled sweetly and walked closer. “Didn’t you use to love shopping here? Look around. If you see anything you like, Norris can cover it.”


    She gave a yful little wink. “We’ll just say I picked it out. He won’t notice. And even if he finds out, he wouldn’t me you!”.


    Tracy stared at Erin’s innocent-looking face and slowly curled her fingers into tight fists.


    “Erin … is that why you asked me toe today? Just to show off?”


    To throw it in my face that the guy who once promised to stay by my side is now treating her like royalty?


    Erin blinked, clearly surprised. “Tracy, what are you talking about?”


    Then she tilted her head and asked, like she was genuinely confused, “Wait … do you still have feelings for


    Norris?”


    That one line changed the whole vibe. People suddenly looked at Tracy differently. Recognition sank in, followed by quiet judgment. “Wait, I thought she looked familiar… Isn’t she Tracy Jackman?”


    “Tracy Jackman? But I thought the Jackmans only had one daughter.”


    “You don’t know? There was that baby mix-up. That’s the girl who used to be Ms. Jackman-the one who wasn’t the real heiress.”


    “Oh! That Tracy? The one who tried to steal someone else’s identity and bullied the real daughter? I thought she got sent abroad.”


    “She changed her name to Tracy Yarwood. It was all over the news. I guess she came back early. Is she really trying to fight for her spot again?”


    They didn’t yell, but in that boutique, every word felt loud-sharp enough to slice through skin.


    Erin stood there frozen, looking lost. “Tracy, I didn’t mean to rub it in … I didn’t know you still had feelings for Norris …


    “I thought you moved on. You haven’t talked to us in two years. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”


    Her voice cracked, and tears rolled down her cheeks, making her look even more heartbroken. And just like that, everyone turned on Tracy.


    “I always heard the fake heiress was bitter and jealous-now I see it’s true. Ms. Jackman was just being sweet by letting her buy some outfits, and she twisted it.”


    “She’s obviously back to take what isn’t hers. Everyone knows how obsessed she was with Mr. Gill. No wonder she’s freaking out, seeing how good he’s treating Ms. Jackman.”


    “It’s not about love-it’s about status. But too bad. Mr. Gill and Ms. Jackman are the real deal. She’s got no shot.”


    The voices just kept going, each one more toxic than thest. It was like they needed to make her into the viin to feel better about themselves.


    It always ended up like this.


    Tracy couldn’t figure it out.


    Why does everyone always believe Erin without hesitation? Why do theybel me as the bad guy so easily?


    I haven’t done anything. But somehow, I’m always the one left with the me.


    Her hands still ached, but it didn’t even register anymore. The pain was so old that it felt distant.


    Feeling drained and confused, she looked straight at Erin and said softly, “Ms. Jackman, why do you always act like you know what I’m thinking?”


    She took a breath, voice steady. “All I want is to be with Grandpa and live a normal life. I’ve never tried to take anything from you.


    “You’ve got the Jackmans’ name. You have Norris. I never once said I still had feelings for him. So why do you keep treating me like a threat?”


    Loving Norris had already cost her too much. She wouldn’t survive going through that hell again.


    Maybe it was the hint of hopelessness in her voice, but the whole room suddenly went quiet.


    Erin’s expression faltered. She looked away, like she couldn’t meet Tracy’s eyes anymore. Panic started to creep across her face.


    She hadn’t expected Tracy to speak like that.


    This wasn’t the same Tracy who used to freeze up and stammer whenever she got cornered-the one who only ever said “I didn’t” or “That’s not true.” Now, she was calm and detached, as if she’d let go.


    How did she change this much in just two years?


    Erin bit her lip, then let the tears fall again. “I’m sorry… I misunderstood. It’s all on me.


    “I just saw you looking upset when we got here and thought maybe it was about Norris … I guessed wrongly. I didn’t mean to make things worse…’


    Her shaky apology snapped the room out of its silence.


    Yeah. If Tracy doesn’t care anymore, why does she look so cold and miserable the whole time? Why did she snap like that?


    Clearly, Ms. Jackman identally exposed her real thoughts, and she got mad!


    And just like that, the res aimed at Tracy turned darker and more hateful.


    While the tension peaked, someone suddenly rushed at her, hand raised, ready to strike.