Outside, Bes eyes were drawn to their old favorite storefront, now alive with activity, likely the renovation team hard at work.


    Ste barely registered themotion, focused on leading Be away.


    ALL of a sudden, a voice sliced through the air.


    Turning, they spotted Lindsay in a wheelchair, a servant slowly pushing her forward.


    A smirk yed across Lindsays face as she said, What a coincidence.


    Her tone bristled with arrogance, setting Ste and Be on edge.


    Lindsay continued, Im here for store renovations.


    Didnt expect to bump into you, Ste. Whats your business here? Ste locked eyes with her, now piecing together Fernandos reluctant hints about the storefronts location.


    It was clear her first-choicemercial space had been earmarked for Lindsay.


    Maintaining herposure, Ste replied evenly, The same, store renovations.


    Lindsays smirk wavered.


    Her gaze flickered to the shuttered storefront nearby.


    The size and prominence of that location dwarfed hers, igniting a spark of jealousy and frustration in her eyes.


    Her attempt to outshine Ste had crumbled.


    Ste had no desire to linger on Lindsays drama and motioned for Be to leave. Just then, a group of children scampered past, theirughter ringing out.


    Ste, concerned they might collide with Be, instinctively stepped in to shield her.


    In the chaos, Ste was jostled, and her bag tumbled to the ground.


    After ensuring Be was unharmed, Ste gathered her spilled items and quickly departed with Be.


    Lindsay watched their departing figures with a simmering re.


    She begrudged Stes continual good fortune, always securing the best things.


    Only once they disappeared did she signal the servant to wheel her back.


    As the wheelchair pivoted, it struck an object, jarring Lindsay. She muttered a curse under her breath and looked down to find a pen.


    Upon picking it up, Lindsay noticed Stes name engraved on it.


    Lindsays fingers wrapped tightly around the pen, her heart simmering with a raw, inexplicable anger.


    She couldnt pinpoint who had gifted the pen to Ste, but it gnawed at her, the way Ste continually basked in the glow of others attention and gifts, while she lingered in the shadows, forgotten.


    In the drivers seat, Ste navigated the roads wrapped in a cloak of silence, each turn steering them further into the quiet.


    Beside her, Bes gaze was lost to the passing scenery, her thoughts entangled in her recent encounter with Lindsay.


    The closeness between Stes and Lindsays storefronts troubled her, stirring fears of a brewing storm between them.