Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Although she was still swiping her son's supplementary credit card, Beverly felt it was a significant upgrade from the last time when she hadn't spent a dime and only gifted a scarf.

As they strolled into a high-end fashion boutique, the sales associate, with a keen eye for potential big spenders, spotted Beverly immediately.

With a welcoming smile, the associate approached, "Ma'am, may I assist you with anything? These are our latest designs, luxurious and elegant, just like your aura."

Beverly, wearing a chic black Gucci coat and draped in pearls, oozed elegance.

"Sure, I'll try these two on," she responded.

Millie had just reluctantly paid for several designer bags for Beverly, maintaining a calm demeanor despite the internal anguish.

Tens of thousands of dollars!

She had never indulged in such extravagance before.

Even though she was using Murray's supplementary card, she was cautious not to appear greedy, only daring to use it for prenatal check-ups and maternity needs, occasionally splurging on minor items, never venturing into such lavish spending. To date, the only luxury bags she owned were gifts from Murray and Beverly.

Their mansion's master bedroom boasted a wall full of Hermès bags in every conceivable shade and material, but Murray forbade her from touching them.

Beverly glanced at her, guessing what Millie might be thinking. Just a bit of money and she's already heartbroken?

It just goes to show that kids raised in modest families tend to be penny-pinchers and not very generous.

Beverly couldn't help but feel disdain. Not knowing how to spend money was one thing, but not having the courage to indulge oneself was another. If Millie had boldly used the card for her own purchases, Beverly would have respected her audacity. Unfortunately, longing for something yet not daring to admit it, coveting yet pretending to be above it all.

So be it, for the sake of the child she was carrying, Beverly decided to let it slide, pointing to a display area, "See anything you like? Pick something for yourself."

Millie felt a rush of excitement, though she still politely declined.

Beverly grew irritated, "Suit yourself then."

Millie was puzzled. This wasn't how she had expected things to go.

At that moment, the sales associate attending to them rushed to the entrance, exclaiming with joy, "Mrs Reynolds, you're here? We were just about to arrange for our staff to bring the season's new collection to your home for a private viewing!"

What?

Beverly's forehead creased as she turned to see Nola.

Dressed in a sky-blue dress with a high collar, complemented by a pearl shawl and carrying a designer clutch, Nola looked intelligent and elegant, as if she had stepped out of

a classical painting.

toNovelDrama.Org

Coming from a family of scholars, Nola exuded a gentle and serene demeanor. Though she was over forty, her careful upkeep made her appear barely in her thirties.NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.

In the small social circle of Lumina, the Reynolds and the Sherwood families often collaborated, which meant Beverly and Nola crossed paths frequently.

But their acquaintance was not particularly close.

Nola, with her high education, stunning looks, and the status of the Reynolds family, always stood out, relegating others, including Beverly, to the background.

Nola was also not fond of Beverly, knowing her background as a minor celebrity who married into the Sherwood family through pregnancy, opportunistic and prickly by nature. What bothered her most was Beverly's treatment of Roseanne.

Nola was aware of Roseanne's past

relationship with Murray and had always regretted that such a

wonderful girl had wasted her

affection on the wrong personal.net

Fortunately, Roseanne had

nov

eventually seen the light.

"Mrs. Reynolds, it's been a while," Beverly said with a smile, greeting Nola first.

"Hello," Nola replied coolly, clearly not interested in extending the conversation.

Then, with a swift change of demeanor, Nola smiled and waved someone over, "Anne, over here."