Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Two hours had passed, and Maisie and Farley, laden with bags of all sizes, emerged from the mall.

Suddenly-

Maisie gasped, "Oh no! I forgot to buy a necklace! Let's hustle back..."

Farley, his arms already overloaded and legs nearly giving out from fatigue, protested, "Mom, can we just call it a day? Look at all this stuff we're carrying. Going back and forth will be the death of me."

"But..." Maisie frowned, but with her hands full, she indeed found it inconvenient.

Her eyes quickly shifted and landed on the necklace adorning Beverley's neck.

"Hey? Your necklace looks decent enough, give it to me. You can just buy another one."

Beverley was in shock, her eyes wide open.

Her necklace was a limited edition from Cartier, which she had waited four months and spent a small fortune to acquire.

Who did she think she was, demanding it just like that?! How entitled must one be to even make such a request?!

Maisie's eyebrows arched in indignation, "What's with that look? It's just a necklace, not your life! Besides, I'm not even complaining that you wore it. I'm generously offering you a chance to buy a new one, and you're ungrateful?"

"Fine, if you're too attached to it, forget it. I thought we could have a proper conversation and resolve this quickly, but it seems your sincerity is as tiny as a sesame seed. Alright then, let's just drag this out. I'm not in a hurry." Then, turning to Farley, "Oh, and son, let's repost that video when we get back."

just a few sentences, she masterfully played the card of retreat as advance, subtly threatening and intimidating. Beverley's face turned

her necklace and handed it

put it on,

great, better

clearly a

don't push your luck! Everyone's

she strode

time but instead admired the necklace in a shop

are we just going to let her

dog too aggressively; it might jump over the wall. We'll take our time, there will be more opportunities." Three days later,

called Beverley, "I've come

way to Lumina

a proper sight. Teak

is quite

finish, Beverley got the hint; another demand was coming: "Alright,

a tour guide for? You could

some sort of escort; what did they mean by her showing them

don't need expertise; we're looking for

Beverley was totally speechless.

and her son at the hotel entrance to... Show them