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Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Not Everyone Is Like You

Lynn Winslow changed her clothes, preparing to "coincidentally" run into Mia Rhodes and Chloe Clayton.

She couldn’t just wait for them to scheme against her before fighting back. Taking the initiative might just turn the tables.

Meanwhile, Mia Rhodes was standing outside the dressing room holding Chloe Clayton’s bag, praising the outfit Chloe had just tried on with a look of utmost sincerity.

"It’s gorgeous, and it really complements your skin tone." Mia Rhodes stepped forward, gently fixing a few strands of Chloe’s hair that had been mussed up while she changed. "Everyone used to say Lynn Winslow was the campus belle back in the day," she said softly, "but in my eyes, how could she ever compare to you?"

The thing Chloe Clayton heard most often in college was that Lynn Winslow was prettier than her. Standing in front of the mirror, she let out a cold snort.

What’s the use of being prettier? She’s still a venomous snake. Chloe hated hypocrites more than anything.

"She jumped into the lake herself that day and framed me, claiming I pushed her. And some people actually believed it." Mia Rhodes pursed her lips pitifully. "She’s always been like this—she’ll do anything to get what she wants. Back then, she was jealous, so she led the charge to ostracize me at school. And now she’s trying to scheme against me again."

"It’s pitiful, having a cousin like that." Chloe Clayton, completely convinced, glanced at her with pity. "But Mr. Powell only dotes on you now. Even your other cousins can’t compare. If she dares to bully you again, you can just have your grandfather stand up for you."

"But she’s still Grandfather’s granddaughter. He can’t just cut her off completely because of me. After all, there’s still the Winslow family to consider."

"What about the Winslow family? They may be powerful in Morelia, but not here in Quartos." Chloe Clayton scoffed.

Seeing her chance, Mia Rhodes added fuel to the fire. "She even said once that it’s a good thing the Winslow family isn’t based in Quartos, or else none of these so-called high-society families would stand a chance."

Her words were childish and full of holes, but Chloe was too straightforward to notice. She took them at face value.

"Hah. She looks down on the families of Quartos? Well, I’ll show her that there’s always a bigger fish."

The two of them weren’t trying to be quiet. A nearby sales associate kept her eyes lowered, not daring to speak. As Lynn Winslow walked into the store, she happened to overhear Chloe’s last sentence. She raised an eyebrow and approached with a smile.

"Miss Clayton, Cousin. What a coincidence."

The moment Chloe Clayton saw her, an expression of disgust spread across her face. "What are you doing here?" she demanded with a frown.

"Shopping for clothes, of course." Lynn Winslow blinked innocently. "I’m planning a long stay in Veridia and didn’t bring many clothes. My custom orders haven’t arrived yet, so I had to come out and browse myself."

Mia Rhodes bit her lip. "Cousin, did you know I was here? Did you come looking for trouble?"

’Yes, I did,’ Lynn thought, but her face showed only confusion. "Cousin, how could you think that of me? Why would I be looking for trouble?"

Seeing Mia’s pitiful expression, Chloe Clayton rounded on Lynn. "You were willing to jump in a lake just to frame Mia. With a heart that vicious, she has every right to be suspicious of you."

"So that’s what you told Miss Clayton?" Lynn took a step forward, looking hurt. Her voice was just loud enough for the sales associate to hear.

"Everyone knows I’m afraid of water. Why would I risk my life jumping into a lake just to frame you? How could you say something so slanderous?"

Hearing this, the sales associates exchanged glances. They didn’t say a word, but Mia could guess what they were thinking.

Chloe Clayton frowned. She hadn’t known about this.

Lynn continued, "Besides, I overheard what you said to Miss Clayton when I came in. Did I really say that? Even if I had said something so arrogant, why would I lump all the families of Quartos together? Even I wouldn’t dare to look down on the Sterling family." She glanced at the now-skeptical Chloe, then covered her mouth in feigned surprise. "You aren’t trying to provoke Miss Clayton into targeting me, are you?" she whispered.

Sure enough, Chloe’s gaze fell on a flustered Mia Rhodes. The moment their eyes met, Mia said in a panic, "Why would I do that? Chloe, you know me."

She grew more frantic, a question echoing in her mind: ’What is happening? Chloe has always been condescending, but she always believed me without question. Why would she start doubting me now after just a few words from someone else?’

Seeing this, Lynn blinked pitifully. "Even if you hate me," she said, her voice full of grievance, "you shouldn’t have used Miss Clayton." She shot Chloe an apologetic look and said softly, "I seem to have ruined your shopping trip. I’ll get out of your way. Goodbye."

The instant she turned away, the corner of Lynn’s mouth curved into a smirk. The pitiful, aggrieved look on her face vanished as if it had never been there.

As she walked out of the store, she could still hear Mia frantically trying to explain herself to Chloe. The smile on Lynn’s face widened. Once she was far enough away that they couldn’t hear her, she let out a loud, unladylike laugh.

She couldn’t stop the feeling of contempt welling up inside. ’So you like playing the victim to fool people? Anyone can do that. Without your protagonist halo, who’s going to believe your clumsy lies?’

Lynn hadn’t really been planning to buy clothes anyway. Now that Chloe was suspicious of Mia, her mission was accomplished.

She ambled through the mall, popping into any store that caught her eye.

Meanwhile, Chloe, now full of doubt, gave Mia a cool glance and made a flimsy excuse to leave.

Mia watched her go, then threw her bag on the ground in a fit of anger. The patrons of this mall were all prominent figures in Quartos society; they weren’t the type to chase celebrities. Seeing the popular starlet throw a tantrum in public, passersby just gave her strange looks. Biting her lip, Mia had no choice but to pick her bag back up.

Suddenly, she caught sight of Lynn Winslow. Seeing her rival happily flitting from store to store with a smile on her face, Mia strode after her.

"You look happy."

Lynn turned to look at her and chuckled. "What’s wrong? Did Chloe ditch you?"

Mia gritted her teeth. "So you’re done playing innocent?"

"Hmm? What was I pretending?" Lynn asked, feigning confusion.

"What’s your goal in turning Chloe and me against each other? Did you think you could become her friend if we had a falling out? I know her personality better than anyone," Mia hissed, her fists clenched.

Lynn replied casually, "And what was your goal in provoking her to target me?" She shrugged. "As for becoming friends with Chloe, that never even crossed my mind. After all, not everyone is like you—able to grovel and fawn over someone you despise."

Infuriated by Lynn’s words, Mia stepped forward and raised her hand to slap her. Lynn didn’t even try to dodge. She caught Mia’s wrist and, in a swift motion, slapped her across the face instead.

Mia’s eyes widened in disbelief. Lynn just sneered.

"I’d advise you not to get physical. I’m no pushover. And I still haven’t settled the score with you for spreading all those rumors."

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