Chapter 3

My sudden compliance this time seemed to have caught Lizzie off guard. She even froze for a few seconds.

"That's more like it. You'd be better off knowing your place," she mocked.

I turned a deaf ear to her words as I dutifully played the role of her chauffeur.

Lizzie headed straight for the luxury boutiques once we'd arrived at the mall. "Take that bag down so I can have a look at it," she demanded.

She held the bag against herself before showing it off to me. "Do you think this suits me?"

"You know what? I'll take it," she declared with a wave of a hand.

Lizzie didn't even wait for my response before she decided to buy all five bags she'd just tried.

When it came time to pay, she gestured for me to swipe my credit card.

I found it simply amusing. "Are you asking me to pay for the things you want to buy? Do you even hear yourself?"

Lizzie cast a disdainful glance at me. "You? Do you even have enough money to pay for all this?"

She made repeated gestures with her hand. "I'm asking for the company card. Give it to me. Quick, I'm about to pay for these bags!"

Stunned, I repeated, "The company card?"

I instinctively wanted to explain when I saw the warning look in her gaze.

"Don't forget your place. What, did you think the company's money was yours just because you've been holding onto it for a while? Have you already forgotten the lesson Julius taught you earlier?" she warned.

I pursed my lips and took out the credit card.

"You're right. Since Julius said you can spend the money however you like, I clearly have no right to interfere further."

Lizzie's behavior only grew more brazen once she'd gotten a hold of the card.

She turned into another boutique and pointed at a row of bags displayed right at the front. "I'll take all of these."

In just one afternoon, she'd already spent two million dollars.

I reminded her that it was time to get off work when the time approached 5:30 pm.

"Our department's getting together for dinner tonight. It wouldn't be right if you were the only one absent, would it?"

No sooner had she spoken than several familiar voices rang out.

"We're here, Lizzie!"

"Are you sure we're all having a seafood feast? Isn't it a little expensive?"

Everyone gathered around Lizzie to fawn over her as they deliberately gave me the cold shoulder.

But I didn't expect Miranda Gardner, someone I used to get along well with, to single me out.

"I get that you're after money, but shouldn't you have some shame at the very least? How could you become a—"

"That's enough, Miranda. Some things are better kept among ourselves." Lizzie cut her off with a smile. Then, she took one of the bags from my hand and gave it to Miranda.

"You've done so much for the company over the years. Consider this bag a reward for your contribution!" Lizzie said.

Everyone widened their eyes in shock. Miranda was so excited that she was rooted to the spot.

"Are you for real, Lizzie? You're really giving me such an expensive bag just like that?" she exclaimed.

Everyone began to turn on me once Lizzie affirmed Miranda's questions.

I didn't argue back. Instead, I quietly turned on my phone's camera as I recorded their every word and expression.

After some time, Lizzie finally gestured for them to calm down. She pointed toward the seafood buffet nearby and said, "We're eating here today. It's my treat!"

Then, she shot me a smug look and added, "You're coming with us, Dianne!"

I was about to refuse when Miranda clung to my arm in an attempt to curry favor with Lizzie. She leaned against my ear and whispered, "Lizzie is Mr. Sanford's wife. You should know better than to offend her!"

Left with no other choice, I was practically dragged to the restaurant's entrance.

Lizzie gestured at the group. "Hello, there are five of us here in total."

Then, she deliberately pointed at me. "This lady is just here to carry my bags, so she won't be eating. Can she come in with us?"