Chapter Fifty One

"How does Stephen truly feel about you? Is he with you because of Ariel, or is it because he has fallen for you?" At that moment, Claire vividly remembered the woman who made an intimate call to Stephen. Could that be Brielle? Claire recalled his affection for Brielle yesterday and figured that it was quite likely.

"I'm not sure. He said he would try to love me, and I just dropped all my defense and jumped into his seductive trap without looking back." Brielle closed her eyes, thinking that at least Stephen was sincere to her now. She decided to give him a chance despite the uncertainty. She decided to work for it no matter what the outcome. Perhaps by that time, she would finally lose all hope!

"I suppose he's serious! In the past decided to work for it no matter what the outcome. Perhaps by that time, she would finally lose all hope! "I suppose he's serious! In the past few months, I haven't once read about any of his scandals. Is it possible that you are the woman who made the CEO of Chu International reject all the other girls?"

Claire paid attention to the papers. Stories about Stephen's secret son had been quite the scoop, but nothing came of it because none of the involved parties gave a reaction to the rumor. Claire didn't know it was Ariel, so she always thought the stories involved another woman.

"I don't think they meant me! I've only been with him for the past few days. I sent Ariel to his place and went straight to drills a while ago." Brielle was a bit concerned, worrying that he might have another woman he loved profoundly.

"Really? Then who else could it be?" The memory of the phone call again surfaced in Claire's brain. She was doubtful, too. "Nevermind, stop thinking about it. Let's go! Didn't you say we will go shopping? My time is in your hands today." Brielle didn't want to question the sincerity of Stephen's claim. She would rather trust him than speculate infidelity.

"Yes, you should offer me some advice. Speaking of, recently I have been feeling that I am getting quite old. I'm nothing compared to the young girls out there." Although Claire knew that she was still in her best years, she lost her confidence whenever she compared herself to younger girls.

"You do realize you're getting old? So, go find someone to marry." Brielle looked at her, amused that even Claire could lose her confidence. "Yeah! Colonel Brielle, why can't you introduce me to a noble and handsome young man from the military base? I do want to get married! Otherwise, my father will set me up with some oddball." Claire exclaimed with desperation because she was sure that William would undoubtedly do such a thing. her father was also capricious!

"A young officer? I do know an excellent young man, but I'm not sure if he's got a girlfriend." Brielle thought about Adam, but she felt that Claire and Adam wouldn't get along, so Claire should stick with Mr. Cold.

"Really? I don't care if he's got a girlfriend. There are only lazy mistresses, no unbreakable relation. Any mistress who's not lazy can successfully steal other girls' boyfriend." Claire held Brielle's arm as they walked out of the cafe laughing.

Chi Mall was the hub for all brand clothes in B City. Naturally, it became a popular choice for the high rollers, the well-to-do women, and wealthy wives. The mall was also a property of the Chu International Group. It had a tremendous reputation, but Brielle dragged her along.

Brielle's casual look undoubtedly attracted the resentment of many people. Since this was just a shopping trip, she didn't put on one of the fancy dresses that Stephen had bought for her. Instead, she closes a pair of fitted jeans and a long and loose blouse that she usually wears. She looked casual but fashionable, yet the look didn't go well with the upscale ambiance of the mall.

Claire was very excited because the latest trends and fashion easily swayed her. The Mall featured unique styles and products, so it was unlikely for her to run into anyone who wore the same clothes. That was why she brought Brielle here.

Brielle ignored everyone and calmly followed Claire. She didn't care how others feel about her. All she wanted to do was to keep her head high up. "Brielle, how about this one?" Claire pointed towards a shin-colored short skirt.

"It looks nice, and it also matches your complexion. Try it on if you like it!" Brielle was casually looking at the clothes. No one took notice of her, probably because of her attire. "Miss, this is our new stock this month. It's the first display of the exclusive collection designed by S. Q. this year. It brings out the feeling of English royalty. You must put it on; you'll look incredibly chic in it." The store clerk was giving a detailed description. She noticed the designer brands that Claire had on so she was sure that Claire was wealthy enough.

"Then I'll give it a try." Claire raised her eyebrows to Brielle, visibly excited. "Yeah! Go ahead! I'll look around for you." Brielle nodded. On her small face, there wasn't a hint of any emotions. She carefully examined the racks, discreetly making choices for Claire.

A woman wearing heavy makeup walked in, her high-heel shoes knocking loudly on the floor. Her stunning curves frivolously glorified her beautiful body, drawing the attention of many bystanders.

"Miss Yang, you're here. The new collection you wanted a few days ago has arrived. Do you want to try it on?" The name 'Miss Yang' gave Brielle a brief pause in her search for clothes, but she didn't react and continued searching.

"Sure, bring it out!" Mei yang arrogantly raised her head, glancing at Brielle. Mei acted with an expression of contempt and bewilderment, thinking how could a woman dressed like that afford the clothes here. And the woman seemed so focused.

Since Brielle's back was towards Mei, Mei had no way of knowing that this was the very same Brielle whom she had arduously tried to banish from her family. Mei thought that the woman was just a nobody.

"Miss Yang, here is your garment." The clerk attentively handed the garment to Mei who was as wealthy as it got. Common people could not think of crossing her. "Yes!" Mei Brielle another disparaging look and walked towards the changing room.

"Brielle, the look is this one Ok? Ouch..." Claire screamed. She was coming out of the fitting room in a hurry, and she accidentally bumped into a woman. "Ouch... What the fuck! Are you blind?" Mei cursed. She took a few steps backward to regain balance and immediately blurted out offensive words without noticing who she was talking to.

Claire didn't answer back because she knew it was her fault. However, when she recognized the woman, she couldn't suppress her rage anymore. "Hey, look who it is? It's Miss Yang! Thank you for your generous hospitality last time! I truly enjoyed the dinner. How about you pay the bills again today? said Claire in a defiant tone. She smiled and thought, 'I did have fun last time. I guess she must have maxed out her credit card!'

"Claire, it's you. Are you fleeing from somewhere again?" asked Mei. She frowned and her eyes sparkled with anger. She wanted to settle the score with Claire right away. "You're wrong, Mei. You are the one who needs to flee. After all, you have tried to steal another woman's man." answered Claire. She arrogantly looked at mei and thought, 'Humph! You always act weak and innocent in Stephen's presence. Now you are revealing your true character?'

"Who has tried to steal another woman's man? I don't know what you are talking about." Mei denied. Her face darkened when she heard the word 'steal' because that was in fact what she had been doing. "You know the answer. I am not going to say her name," said Claire. She gave Mei a hostile stare Humph! No one had ever been able to overcome her imposing manner.

"Claire, I'm not afraid of you. Who cares if you are the CEO of the S Group. I've got Yang Foreign Trade behind me," said Mei arrogantly. She thought, 'Claire said that I have tried to steal her boyfriend? If I did, who was he?' She thought for a long time after that day, but she couldn't recall who Claire was referring to.

"Ha, ha! You crack me up, Mei. How shameless you re to say you've got the Yang Foreign Trade behind you! Your last name may be Yang, but you are just a stepdaughter. In my eyes, you are nothing but a wicked woman who is stealing someone else's life." mocked Claire.

She looked at Mei and thought, 'I don't like her. She is just a stepdaughter. But she considers herself to be the real daughter of the Yangs. Isn't she scared to assume the identity of another person...'

On hearing this, Mei gave Claire a fierce glance. her identity had been a wound to her. She thought, 'I hate that Brielle is born with a dignified identity. That is why I insulted her and forced her to leave home.

I hate it when people say I am of a humble origin, and this is why I have put so much effort to blend in with the upper class all these years. When I finally believed I had blended in, Claire gave me a who on the head.'

"Claire, you can't hurt me by saying these words. Anyway, my last time is Yang now." Said Mei. She had to clench her fists real tight to stop herself from punching her in the face. "Your despicable acts make you invincible, Mei," said Claire, she sneered and squinted at Mei.

"Bitch, did you just say I'm despicable?" said Mei. she got so furious at that moment that she almost slapped Claire on her face. Right then her wrist was grasped by a slender hand and she couldn't move.

"Mei, after all these years, you are still so rude." A cold and indifferent voice rose from her side. "It's you, Brielle," said Mei. She was surprised to see her here. 'I thought she had disappeared since her wedding day. Why is she here now?' wondered Mei.

"Yes, it's me. Are you scared of me?" asked Brielle. She let go of Mei and coldly looked at her panic-strick face. "Well! Brielle, why would I be scared of you? You give yourself too much credit." answered Mei.' Humph! She's the woman I saw earlier. Look at what she is wearing. I guess she's leading a mediocre life. I'm sure Stephen no longer favors her. Otherwise, how can she the CEO's wife of the Chu International Group, dress so shabbily.' thought Mei.

"I have always thought highly of myself and I look down on certain people," answered Brielle. 'If possible, I don't want to see or deal with anyone from Yang's family.' though Brielle.

"Brielle. what makes you think you can contend with me? Look at yourself. Life must be tough for you after your parting with Yang's family!" said Mei. Mei arrogantly lifted her chin and thought, 'What I hate most is about her is her aloof demeanor. I have tried to act like her, but it doesn't resemble her at all. Years have passed but she still looks nobler and more refined than me.'

"Yang's family? I'm so glad that I've escaped from that place. Mei without me there, you must feel like a fish in water!" said Brielle. 'Well! Family? It wasn't my family anymore after my mother died.' thought Brielle.

"What are you implying, Brielle? Do you think you were disowned because of me?" asked Mei. 'I did complain about her in the presence of Jack. But it was my mother who decided to cast her out. Not me.' thought Mei.

"Miss Yang, I don't want to play blame games. Bygones are bygones. Anyway, I have nothing to do with Yang's now. So, please remember, I don't want to be linked with you again. Because the very thought makes me sick." Brielle said ruthlessly. She thought, 'When I stepped out of the family that year, I told myself that from now on, I'm an orphan without parents.'