Chapter 13
Evelyn snatched the jacket hastily. "Tell me the truth, Evelyn. Where did you get this designer blazer?" Cassandra's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How would someone like you even know a man who wears clothes this luxurious?"
Evelyn glanced at the garment dismissively. "Expensive? Some random uncle 'kindly' lent it to me. Not that I know him well."
Cassandra smirked, recognizing Evelyn's provincial ignorance. "Obviously. A country bumpkin like you could never move in those circles." She sneered, "Get it cleaned and return it immediately. Don't get any ideas - sophisticated men don't waste time on peasant girls."
Evelyn chuckled, unfazed. "Speaking of men...where's your husband?"
Cassandra's expression darkened momentarily before she lifted her chin haughtily. "I changed my mind last minute. Marriage isn't for me - I prefer being an independent, high-value woman!"
"You canceled with the Graysons?" Evelyn raised an intrigued brow. "A first-tier family? Did their status...disappoint you?"
"Status means nothing!" Cassandra scoffed, flicking her hair. "At thirty, Nathaniel's never had a girlfriend. Clearly something's...lacking." She made a crude gesture. "I won't waste my prime years on a defective man, no matter how obsessed he is with me!"
Evelyn barely suppressed her laughter. "Such thorough consideration. Congratulations on your narrow escape!"
After packing, Evelyn bid a brief farewell to Gregory before leaving. Cassandra immediately tailed her taxi, determined to uncover the mystery man behind the expensive jacket.
If yesterday's humiliating canceled wedding could be redeemed by snagging a billionaire, she'd regain all her social standing!
The taxi stopped at Old Town Street. Evelyn entered a modest diner alone with her luggage.
From her illegally parked car, Cassandra sneered. "Still eating at dumps like this? Some habits never change."
A sharp rap interrupted her. A traffic officer stood outside. "No parking on pedestrian streets. License please."
Cassandra rolled her eyes. "I'm a celebrity! I'm avoiding causing a mob scene - really, I'm doing you a favor!"
"Your fame doesn't exempt you from laws." The officer impassively called for a tow truck.
"What? Do you know how many followers I have?" Cassandra shrieked, drawing stares from unimpressed passersby.
Humiliated, she could only watch her car get towed - just as Evelyn exited the diner.
Remembering her mission, Cassandra slipped through the crowd to follow Evelyn into a luxury boutique.
Her jaw dropped as Evelyn confidently selected items from the most exclusive section before exiting through a rear door.
"Miss Cassandra!" The manager intercepted her. "Your selections are ready for payment."
"What selections? I just walked in!"
The manager smiled tightly. "Your assistant already chose these according to your measurements. Cash or card?"
Whispers erupted among staff:
"Can't afford it?"
"Her outfit's two seasons outdated..."
"Rumor says she's broke since leaving the industry..."
Cassandra's face burned. "I can buy this entire store!" She slapped down her card, seething as thousands vanished.
Only then did she realize - Evelyn had played her! That traffic officer was probably part of the setup too!
"Curses, Evelyn!"
Rushing outside, Cassandra saw Evelyn boarding another taxi. She frantically hailed one to pursue.
They arrived at an opulent estate in the city center - land only billionaires could afford. Cassandra's eyes bulged. "How did that backwater hick get in there?"
Just then, a black sedan arrived. Abigail Grayson emerged, assisted by maids, looking pale from her hospital stay.
"Excuse me," Cassandra approached nervously under Abigail's disdainful once-over. "Who owns this property?"
Abigail's lip curled. "Why would trash like you be here?"
"I-I'm looking for my sister. She just entered..."
Abigail sighed impatiently. "Name?"