A thought nagged at her, taunting with the suggestion of being played for a fool.

"Yes, for him," Lilah affirmed with a simple nod.

Marlene inhaled sharply, her frustration simmering. "I was offering a gift, Lilah, but this is excessive."

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper tinged with scorn.

"And why lavish so much on a bastard child?"

No sooner had the words left Marlene's mouth than she felt a chilling glare upon her. “What was that, Marlene? I'd like to hear you say it again." The temperature between them dropped, as a steely edge laced Lilah's words.

As Marlene gazed into Lilah's eyes, an abrupt shiver coursed through her.

Why did Lilah exude such overpowering dominance?

She mustered her resolve and declared, “Lilah, I can purchase the remaining items. Just hand over the pajamas."

Lilah fixed her with a cold, piercing stare. "I told you to repeat what you just said."

Their exchange had attracted the attention of onlookers, leaving Marlene feeling embarrassed and irritated. "Lilah, am I wrong? He's a child born out of-"

"Enough! Get out!" Lilah interjected angrily.

Marlene was taken aback, and once she regained her composure, she retorted, "Don't push it. You haven't shed your stingy habits after all these years. I offered to buy a gift for your child, and you selected items worth over 200, @0@ dollars. Do you take me for an easy target?"

The people in the checkout line surrounding the duo overheard their dispute, and their perceptions of Lilah instantly shifted.

She might have appeared attractive, but her behavior struck them as shameless.

Who would allow someone to purchase gifts valued at nearly two hundred thousand dollars?

A person behind Lilah and Marlene couldn't contain their impatience.

"Don't show respect to someone who takes advantage of you. Young lady, you don't need to pay a single cent. Move along. We're waiting."

Lilah sneered, "I never asked you to buy anything for me in the first place. I don't understand why you're being presumptuous."

With that, Lilah produced her card and instructed, "Settle the bill."

The cashier had initially been amused by the situation but quickly returned to her senses, swiping Lilah's card to complete the transaction.

Lilah briskly pushed the shopping cart, leaving Marlene behind.

The entire sequence unfolded so swiftly that bystanders struggled to keep up.

“Seems the woman didn't want this girl to pay after all. So why did she challenge her like that?" remarked one observer.