Chapter 1186:
“Looks like Frank didn’t even leave you enough for a handbag,” Rylie said evenly. “Should I lend you some money so you can leave Eshea without completely humiliating yourself?”
“You—” Kristen trembled with rage, her nails digging into her palms.
Then she let out a low, harsh laugh, her voice dropping to barely a whisper. “This isn’t over. Before I leave Eshea, I’ll finish you myself — when you least expect it. Just wait.”
After one final glare filled with hatred, she turned and stormed away, her heels striking the floor in sharp, rhythmic blows as she disappeared through the door — never looking back.
Outside, the sun burned brightly, but its harsh light failed to warm Kristen — the chill still gripped her from within.
Inside the boutique, Isabella froze when Kristen shot her a murderous glare before storming out. A knot formed in her stomach as she turned to Rylie and whispered, “Rylie… do you think she’s completely lost it?”
Rylie kept her eyes on the doorway Kristen had vanished through, a small, knowing smile touching her lips. “That’s exactly what I was hoping for,” she said calmly.
She understood better than anyone that true opportunities only appeared when someone finally lost all restraint and reason.
At just the right moment, she took the limited-edition bag from Nightingale, her fingertips briefly grazing the cool, smooth leather before casually passing it to Isabella. “Go on,” she said lightly. “It’s yours.”
𝖡𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝖿𝗶𝘳ѕt 𝘵𝗈 𝘳𝘦a𝗱 оn 𝗀𝘢𝗹𝗻o𝗏𝗲𝘭𝘀.с𝗈𝗺
Isabella hesitated, startled. “You’re giving it to me just like that? What about you?”
Rylie barely spared the bag a glance. “It doesn’t belong in my collection anyway. Consider it a token of appreciation for today.”
A token of appreciation. The phrase lingered in Isabella’s mind long after Rylie had already left — and only then did the truth slowly sink in. Every single moment had been orchestrated.
When the sales staff relaxed and reopened the store to other customers, Isabella finally put all the pieces together. It had all been an act. Rylie had deliberately pushed that girl to the edge. Once she realized that, Isabella stopped fearing those so-called murder threats — they were likely just another calculated move in Rylie’s plan.
In an unexpectedly buoyant mood, Isabella left the store with the handbag held tightly against her chest.
Kristen returned to the hotel and immediately launched into a fierce argument with Frank, who was equally frustrated and worn thin. Although his overseas accounts held substantial funds — more than enough for Kristen to buy endless luxury bags — the majority of his wealth was tied up within Ares Global. Transferring large sums into his Eshea account without raising red flags was impossible.
Knowing Brad’s nature, Frank was certain he would scrutinize the background of any so-called “brother” who suddenly appeared. One hint of suspicion would be enough to expose him completely.
The explanation only half-convinced Kristen and did nothing to cool her burning hatred for Rylie or soothe her lingering shame.
Soon, fate handed her the opportunity she had been waiting for.
.
.
.