Chapter 18 Give Me Back My Husband

Lydia knew exactly who I meant by Grandfather Ji. Leona tightened her grip on the designer shopping bag, forcing a brittle smile as she drawled, "Oh, really? Then congratulations." I had no intention of engaging with her further. Once the clerk finished the transaction, I retrieved my card and left the store, then went to buy a pair of light-colored high heels to go with the dress. This time I was wiser—checking the price first, then trying them on. Fearing the driver might grow impatient, I quickened my pace toward the exit after the purchase. But the moment I reached the doorway, the security sensors blared, "Beep! Beep! Beep!" Two security guards approached and blocked my path. "Ma'am, you may be carrying an item that hasn't been demagnetized." The mall manager arrived as well and requested to inspect the contents of my shopping bag. I handed it over without hesitation. After confirming the magnetic tags on the clothes and shoes had been removed, I passed through the gate again—still, the alarm sounded. Given I'd just spent over 200,000 on a dress, the manager hesitated to directly demand a search of my handbag. Yet I still offered it voluntarily. To everyone's shock, the manager pulled out a silver bracelet—still bearing its price tag! "It wasn't me," I said, stunned. I recognized that bracelet—it was from the display counter at the boutique where I'd bought the dress. How could it possibly be in my bag? As I stood there dazed, the sales clerk from the boutique came rushing over. The moment she saw the bracelet in the manager's hand, tears welled in her eyes. "There it is! I thought I'd lost it!" Right behind her was Leona. The manager asked what had happened. The clerk explained that with so many customers earlier, she'd turned around and the bracelet was gone—she'd been terrified. Though she didn't accuse me outright, the fact that it was found in my bag spoke volumes. I insisted, "It wasn't me. I have no idea how it got there." The manager shot me a look of contempt. "You can explain that to the police." That's when real panic set in. Today I was supposed to meet Keaton Hawthorne with Dominic. If I ended up at the police station because of this—and missed that meeting—what would Keaton Hawthorne think of me? The manager ordered the guards to take me to the first-floor office to wait for the police. I resisted, unwilling to go. Leona stood nearby, coolly remarking, "Lydia, back when you lived with us, stealing little things—Father and Mother always turned a blind eye. But I never imagined you'd dare steal from a mall." She looked exactly like me. Her words carried undeniable weight. The manager escorted me to the mall lounge and called the police. The officers arrived shortly. After hearing the situation, they wanted to review the surveillance footage—but the control room was locked, and access wouldn't be possible until evening. They were about to take me to the station when the manager received a call. Suddenly, his demeanor shifted. He broke into an apologetic smile and hurried to send me on my way. As I stepped out, he kept apologizing, urging me not to take it personally. I was baffled. But when I returned to the entrance with my purchases and opened the rear car door, I found two people already inside. Dominic and Leona. Leona sat by the door, blocking my access. With no choice, I climbed into the front seat. The moment I sat down, Leona's voice came, laced with false concern: "Lydia, are you okay? I was afraid they'd mistreat you, so I called Dominic. You're not angry with me, are you?" I said nothing. Looking up, I met Dominic's eyes in the rearview mirror. He stared straight ahead, unreadable. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Leona, sensing my silence, stopped trying. But in the mirror, I clearly saw her arm looped through Dominic's. The car drove straight to the Hawthorne estate. Leona and Dominic got out first, leaving the back seat open for me to change into the dress and shoes. When I stepped out, I saw Leona wrapping her arms around Dominic's neck, pressing for a kiss. I strode over and stood beside them. "Can you give my husband back to me?"