Chapter 39
Chapter 39:
The sales associate rushed over, reaching for the clothes in Helena’s hands. The second her eyes landed on them, her expression turned grim—every single item was stained.
Alarm spread across her face. “What happened? These are brand new arrivals! Once they’re stained, they’re unsellable p>
Eleanor wasted no time pointing the blame. “I saw everything. She smeared lipstick all over your merchandise on purpose. It’s outrageous behavior—who does that in public p>
Without hesitation, the sales associate called for the store manager. The commotion drew a crowd. Shoppers slowed their pace, surrounding the scene with curious eyes and murmuring voices.
The manager arrived quickly, gave the clothing a scrutinizing look, and his face clouded with visible irritation. “You’ve ruined these garments. You’ll need to pay for all of them, full price p>
Helena stepped forward, her voice calm but urgent. “I didn’t do this. If you check your security footage p>
But her defense was cut off.
“So you just happened to be standing right where the cameras don’t reach—how convenient,” the manager interjected harshly. “But don’t even think about playing dumb. We’ve got proof and someone who saw it happen. There’s no talking your way out of this p>
Eleanor leaned in, dragging the first sales associate closer for backup. “You heard it, didn’t you? I warned her not to do it. I said it loud enough for the whole store p>
“I did overhear their fight,” said the sales associate, casting a judgmental glance at Helena, her eyes full of doubt and disdain. “And this woman here had no intention of purchasing any of these clothes to begin with p>
Putting on a helpless front, Eleanor sighed dramatically. “It’s really unfortunate. We work at the same network—Nexus TV. She’s a fellow anchor. But honestly, she’s difficult. Maybe she didn’t like how your staff treated her and decided to act out p>
That did it. The whispers around them turned sharper. The stares became heavy.
“How could a news anchor do something like this p>
Cⲟntent ⲟriginally frⲟm gⲁl𝓝𝑜ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⫸𝒸𝗈𝗺
“Maybe she figured if she damaged them, the store would give her a discount. That’s pathetic p>
The whispers swelled, turning sharper and more condemning. Watching Helena stand her ground without admitting any wrongdoing, the manager chose to involve the police and ordered security to stop her from walking out.
Judgment rolled in from every direction, loud and biting. No one wanted to hear Helena’s side now.
Right in the middle of it all, Eleanor held up her phone, openly recording. She didn’t even bother hiding her intentions.
As soon as she forwarded this video of Helena damaging Nexus TV’s name to Laurence, Helena would be doomed to the same fate—burdened with a massive fine and stripped of her job.
Right when Helena stood speechless, Valeria strode over and grabbed the phone straight out of Eleanor’s hand.
“Helena isn’t the kind of person who would ever do something like that p>
Valeria had just stepped out of the fitting room, only to walk straight into chaos—her friend being publicly accused.
Recognition flashed across Eleanor’s face. She knew Valeria was Helena’s closest friend.
Pushing her voice louder, Eleanor continued her show, saying, “Sure, say what you want—but if you’re so convinced, why don’t you cover the bill for her p>
No hesitation. Valeria pulled out her card, ready to swipe.
Before she could, Helena reached for her arm. “I didn’t ruin those clothes. We shouldn’t have to pay for something I didn’t do p>
But the store manager didn’t wait around for debate. He took the card. Valeria stood firm, her tone sharp but steady. “Let them refund it later when the police sort this out. Right now, I just want to shut Eleanor up before this circus hits your workplace. You know how fast things spread p>
That silenced Helena. She looked at Valeria, eyes full of emotion, gratitude rising like a lump in her throat.
“Miss, your card doesn’t have enough available credit.” The manager returned the card to Valeria, holding it out with a firm hand.
Eleanor didn’t waste a beat. She sneered. “Some hero. Guess she’s as broke as you are p>
A flush crept into Valeria’s cheeks as she pulled out another card, then another. None of them worked.
Murmurs in the crowd grew louder. Sympathy was replaced with skepticism.
Now Helena’s chest tightened. Her original plan had been to wait for the authorities, confident that she could prove the lipstick wasn’t hers and that the footage—or other evidence—would clear her name.
But seeing Valeria stumble under the weight of it all made her heart sink. She had to end this.
And then—she remembered Alden’s card. Tucked in her wallet. Still untouched.
She had no idea how much money it held.
But Eleanor’s harsh words kept replaying in her head—Alden was simply biding his time, waiting for her to throw herself at him with complete devotion.
How many times had she already relied on him without realizing it? Was using that card again crossing a line? Was that the moment she’d become exactly who Eleanor painted her to be?
“I’ll pay p>
Just then, a laid-back male voice broke through the mess of thoughts swirling in Helena’s mind.