Chapter 147
Chapter 147
Christiana’s POV
The afternoon sun poured through the glass windows of the upscale boutique, and the rows of designer clothes were displayed with precision. The faint sound of jazz music filled the air as I moved through the aisles, my heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Behind me were my bodyguards, their presence was something that I had grown used to over the past few months. Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.
I wasn’t really shopping with intent today…just browsing to clear my head. After everything that had happened the night before with Alex’s mother and Sebastian, I needed a distraction,
I was examining a sleek emerald–green dress when it happened. A hard bump to my shoulder, sharp enough to make me stumble slightly.
“Excuse you,” I started, spinning around to face the person. But the words caught in my throat when I saw her.
Bianca Monroe Lewis.
She looked as poised as ever, wearing a sleek white jumpsuit that clung to her figure like it was tailored specifically for her. A pair of oversized black sunglasses sat perched on her nose, her dark hair styled into a high ponytail that swayed with every confident step. Around her neck was a delicate silver chain, subtle yet expensive–looking, and she carried a designer handbag casually on her arm.
She didn’t even flinch as she passed me, her head held high, as though the world owed her admiration for simply existing. Behind her trailed a small entourage….three women, all equally stylish, carrying shopping bags and chatting among themselves as if they were in a private bubble.
The audacity of it hit me like a wave. This woman…this monster_was walking around freely, strutting through luxury boutiques like she hadn’t tried to destroy my life.
Bianca Monroe Lewis, the woman who had burned my house to the ground. The woman who had sent men after me, kidnapped me with the intent of killing me…all because of her obsessive fixation on Alex. She should have been rotting in a prison cell, paying for her crimes. But no, she was here, shopping without a care in the world, thanks to Alex’s mother and Bianca’s high–powered lawyer who had found a way to keep her out of jail.
I felt a hot, fiery rage course through my veins. My fists clenched at my sides, my nails digging into my palms as I fought the overwhelming urge to march up to her, grab her by that perfectly coiffed ponytail, and make her pay.
“Ma’am Christiana,” Grace’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts, her tone low and urgent. “Don’t. Let it go.”
I blinked, realizing how tense I’d become. My shoulders were stiff, and my jaw ached from how tightly I’d been clenching it. Grace, my ever–loyal P.A, was standing beside me now, her expression was of concern and caution.
“Let it go?” I hissed, keeping my voice low but sharp. “She’s walking around like nothing happened, Grace. Like she didn’t try to ruin my life.”
Grace placed a gentle hand on my arm, her eyes pleading. “I know. Believe me, I know. But this isn’t the time or place. Look at her.”
I followed Grace’s gaze. Bianca was now standing by a rack of clothes, examining a designer jacket while one of her entourage fawned over it. She moved with an air of effortless confidence, her every gesture calculated, almost theatrical. “She loves this,” Grace continued in a hushed voice. “She wants to get under your skin. Don’t give her the satisfaction.”
“She already has,” I muttered, my voice bitter.
Bianca must have sensed my gaze because she turned slightly, her lips curling into the faintest smirk. Even through her
sunglasses, I could feel the smugness radiating from her. It was as if she knew exactly what she was doing…knew the effect she had on me…and reveled in it..
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look away. My heart was racing, my body trembling With
wipe that smug look off her face,” I said through gritted teeth.
Grace squeezed my arm gently. “And you will. But not here. Not now.”
anger. “I want to
I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. Grace was right. Losing my temper here, in public, would only give Bianca more power. And I refused to give her that satisfaction.
“Come on,” Grace urged, tugging lightly at my arm. “Let’s move to another section. She’s not worth it.”
was still there, laughing at I allowed her to lead me away, but I couldn’t resist one last glance over my shoulder. Bia something one of her team had said, her voice light and carefree. It made my stomach churn.
As we moved to a quieter part of the store, Grace spoke softly. “She’s just trying to flaunt her freedom in your face. Don’t let it get to you.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Easier said than done. Every time I see her, I think about what she did. What she almost took from me.”
Grace nodded, her expression sympathetic. “You have every right to be angry. But remember, you’re better than her. You’ve already won by simply surviving. Don’t stoop to her level.”
Her words settled over me, soothing some of the raw edges of my fury. I nodded slowly, taking another deep breath. “You’re right. She’s not worth it.”
But as I turned back to the rack of clothes in front of me, trying to refocus my energy, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Bianca might have walked away from the consequences of her actions for now, but I knew better than to believe she was done causing trouble.
And if she thought I would stand by and let her disrupt my life again, she was sorely mistaken.
As I sifted through the rack of clothes, my mind remained distracted, replaying every encounter I’d ever had with Bianca. Every smirk, every calculated move, every cruel act. She had a way of digging into people’s lives and leaving destruction in her wake, yet here she was, free, smug, and unbothered.
Grace’s voice broke my thoughts again. “You know, it’s not just about staying calm. It’s about showing her that she doesn’t matter. That her presence doesn’t phase you.”
I nodded slowly, though my hands still trembled slightly. “She thinks she’s untouchable. That she can keep walking through life unscathed.”
“She won’t,” Grace replied firmly. “Not forever. People like her always slip up.”
I glanced at Bianca one last time, her laugh echoing faintly in the background. “I hope you’re right,” I said, my voice steady but cold. “Because when that time comes, I’ll be ready.”
I forced myself to turn back to the task at hand, but the fire in my chest remained, simmering quietly. Bianca migh t be flaunting her freedom now, but this wasn’t the end of the story.