Masked In Nobility: Secrets Of Mrs. Chavez by Selina Gorges

Bonnie knew all too well how Winona style and wanted to avoid any confrontation. She turned around, planning to change. back into her clothes and quietly leave.

But Winona, almost as if she could read Bonnie's mind, smirks. Though her belly isn't showing much yet, she still stands there, holding her waist like she's proud of something. Just as Bonnie is about to walk away, Winona calls out in a haughty voice. "Well, well, it isn't Bonnie! What a coincidence. I did not expect to see you here. That dress looks great on you, but honestly, this store's prices are a bit out of reach for poor students like you, don't you think? Did you even ask about the price before trying it on?" Winona let out a fake laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. Or are you one of those people who just try things on without any intention of buying?" Winona's eyes gleamed with mockery, glaring at Bonnie. In her mind, Bonnie and Yvette were cut from the scloth and since she hadn't had the chance to deal with Bonnie since leaving school, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to humiliate her and settle sold scores.

Ever since the library incident, Bonnie had been a thorn in her side because Bonnie had seen Winona's embarrassed looks in the library.

Bonnie's hands trembled, her chest heaving. She hadn't expected Winona to be so harsh.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and said firmly, "Winona, whether I try on clothes or buy them is my business. What does that have to do with you?" Winona wasn't fazed in the slightest. She deliberately stroked her barely-there baby bump and gave Bonnie a condescending smile. "Oh Bonnie, I didn't mean anything by it Look how upset you're getting! I just wasn't clear enough. If you can't afford it, I can buy it for you. It's really no trouble for- just a small gesture. You don't need to struggle over it I'm being kind, but you've misunderstood me." By now, the esteemed guests in the store had started to notice the situation. Sof them recognized Yulia and Winona and were quietly whispering among themselves.

Yulia stood up and grabbed Winona's hand, trying to keep things from escalating. After all, they were in public, and it was important to maintain appearances. Yulia had a good idea of why Winona was picking on Bonnie- and it wasn't hard to figure out. What else could it be but petty jealousy?” Winona, that's enough. It's just trying on clothes: it's not a big deal. Let it go." Then, turning to Bonnie, Yulia added gently, "Miss, how about this: I'll buy the dress for you as a gift.

Winona sneered, clearly unimpressed. What was Yulia trying to do, pretending to be the good guy? But really, how different was she from Winona? Both of them loved using money to belittle others, especially Bonnie. Winona smirked, rubbing her belly as she joined in with Yulia, "That's right, Bonnie. Yulia's right. We'll buy this dress for you. Consider it a gift from the Carter family." Bonnie instantly recognized Yulia. No wonder they were family. They truly were cut from the scloth- humiliating people with their money seemed to be a family trait.

Clenching her fists, Bonnie stood tall, her voice steady. "No thanks. I can buy what I like on my own. Just because I can't afford it right now doesn't mean I won't be able to in the future. You can keep your condescending pity. Winona's smile grew wider, enjoying Bonnie's frustration.

She turned to the salesgirl, her voice dripping with superiority. "Did you hear that? This girl can't afford the dress. Hurry up and make her take it off before she dirties it. How will other customers wear it after that? What kind of riff-raff do let you into your store, anyway? Next time, be more careful. Sgirls have no penny in their pockets. Letting people like that in 'will ruin your store's reputation. If I see this again, I won't be coming back." One of the salesgirls, the one with the pointed face, immediately jumped in, eager to please. "Yes, ma'am, we'll tighten up our management. We won't let people like that again. Rest assured, Mrs. Carter.

Winona nodded in satisfaction as the salesgirl flattered her. The girl's eagerness to please only made Winona feel more powerful.

"I'll take everything I've picked out, Winona said condescendingly, and you can add it to your performance for today." The pointy-faced salesgirl never expected that a few flattering words would earn her such a big commission. Rich ladies and madams were easy to fool, always craving sweet talk and adoration. Now convinced she had latched onto the right people, the salesgirl redoubled her efforts, throwing compliments around like they cost nothing. She glanced at Bonnie as if she were staring at an enemy.

Winona, seeing Bonnie's eyes redden with anger, felt even more smug.

Yulia, standing to the side, stayed quiet. In her mind, she had already given Bonnie a way out, but Bonnie had refused it. To her, Winona was right-people like them were born privileged, already ahead of everyone else.

Fuming. Bonnie turned on her heel, ignoring Winona's snide remarks and the salesgirls' condescending glares. She returned to the fitting room, carefully took off the dress, and hung it back up. Bonnie handed it to a shorter salesgirl, who still treated her with srespect, and said politely, "Thank you." The salesgirl had been quite pleasant when she was serving Bonnie just a moment ago.

Bonnie walked out of the fitting room head held high, chest out, determined not to let them see her falter, As she passed Winona, she stopped for a moment, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. I rely on myself. What I can or can't buy is my own business. Don't be so shameless and act like you have the right to judge me. You're just using the Carter family's nto throw your weight around. Without them, you'd be nothing but a sad little nobody." Winona was momentarily stunned, her face registering anger. She had always thought Bonnie was just a pushover, easy so trample on. Who would have thought she'd talk back like this? Where did this sudden courage cfrom? Seething. Winona reached out and yanked Bonnie by the arm. Under everyone's shocked gaze, she raised her hand and slapped. Bonnie hard across the face, Bonnie didn't even have tto react. She never imagined that Winona would slap her, especially in public.

Bonnie's cheek burned as it turned red and swollen almost instantly. Bonnie lifted her head trembling. She clenched her fists but didn't strike back. Winona was pregnant. If she retaliated, the baby might get hurt, and no matter what, the child was innocent. Even Yulia was taken aback. She quickly stepped between them, shielding Winona's belly with her body, eyes fixed warily on Bonnie.

But Winona wasn't done. Seeing Yulia's concern only made her bolder.

She glared at Bonnie, shaking out her stinging hand. "Wow, your skin ish really thick My hand hurts from slapping you." Yulia turned and hissed at her, "Winona, shut up!" But Winona didn't care. The days when Yulia could boss her around were long gone. Robert wasn't as devoted to her as before, and Winona felt no need to obey. She knew Yulia's Achilles' heel was the baby she was carrying, so the suddenly clutched her belly and pretended to be in- pain. "Mom... Mom, my stomach hurts," she groaned, feigning discomfort.

Yulia's face turned pale. "What's happening? Did you overdo it just now and hurt the baby? Hurry, let's get you to the hospital. if anything happens to my precious grandson, I won't let you off. “Winona shot a triumphant look at Bonnie as if saying. See what happens when you mess with me? The onlookers exchanged glances, their expressions full of pity for Bonnie. This was the cruel reality of society- the strong prey on the weak, And what could a girl like Bonnie, without money or power, do when faced with such bullying? Nothing but endure.

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