"You know, Queena, with your love for robes, I could just design you some," Natalie teased.


    Queena rolled her eyes. "You want me to walk around the city in monastic robes?"


    "You''d look beautiful in anything," Natalie insisted. "But those robes have more character than any of this stuff."


    Queena sighed. Just because she had inherited a spiritual retreat didn''t mean she had to wear the uniform all the time. She''d spent years building up its finances just so she could finally leave the mountain. "Just design me a few couture gowns," she said. "I love your designs."


    "Done. I''ll start tomorrow. You''ll have a one-of-a-kind, custom-made gown within a week," Natalie promised.


    As Natalie helped her browse, she spotted a chic, light-grey suit. "Queena, this would look amazing on you."


    Queena liked it immediately and asked the sales assistant for a medium. When it was brought out, she didn''t even bother trying it on. "I''ll take it."


    Just as Natalie was looking for other items, a sneering voice cut through the air. "Well, if it isn''t the washed-up shoe Sebastian threw away. How can you afford to shop here?"


    Natalie''s good mood vanished. It seemed she couldn''t go anywhere without running into dogs. She turned to see Joanna and Yvonne approaching.


    "And who might this be?" Natalie replied with a cold smile. "Ah, Joanna''s number one sycophant." This fool would probably go to her grave without realizing Joanna was just using her to manipte Jerome.


    Yvonne''s face paled. She was only friendly with Joanna because of Sebastian''s influence; they were hoping it would benefit their businesses.


    Joanna sneered. "Yvonne is right, Natalie. You''re just something Sebastian discarded. What do you have to be proud of? Did youe here hoping to run into him? Too bad, he doesn''t waste his evenings at the mall." She proudly shed a ck credit card. "See this, Natalie? It''s from Sebastian. He gives me hundreds of millions a year for pocket money. You, on the other hand, couldn''t get a single penny from him. Even when you were his wife, you had to pay for your own groceries. That''s the difference between being loved and not being loved."


    "The money he gives me is more than you''ll ever see in your lifetime."


    Queena, who had a short fuse when it came to bullies, started to step forward, but Natalie held her back.


    "Natalie, she treats you like this all the time! Are you just going to take it?" Queena hissed.


    Natalie just smiled. "Queena, she''s telling the truth, so why argue? If she''s proud of being a mistress and spending her lover''s money, then let her show off." A scumbag and a bitch are a match made in heaven."


    Joanna stomped her foot. "Natalie, the one who isn''t loved is the third wheel! You''re the other woman!"


    Natalie''s smile was bright and defiant. "Oh, I''m sorry. But my name is still legally next to his. As long as that''s the case, you''ll always be the mistress who has to hide in the shadows."