Who even is this?

She continued to spit out insults in all kinds of unpleasant language, leaving both Sigourney and Hilary stunned. The sales assistant's expression also became awkward and tense.

"I'm very sorry, miss, but that's our store policy."

"This customer arrived first and had already indicated she wanted the bag. Perhaps... perhaps you could try discussing it with her?"

The assistant, caught in the middle, offered the suggestion timidly.

It was only then that the girl bothered to glance at Sigourney. One look and she immediately sneered with open contempt.

"Ugh. Who even is this? Some shabby little nobody trying to fight me for a bag?"

She didn't hesitate to speak, even sizing up Sigourney's outfit with a mocking sneer.

"Wearing a dress from a luxury brand, huh? Think wearing expensive clothes will magically make you rich?"

"Who knows which billionaire's sugar baby you are? I bet you don't even have enough money to buy anything here."

At that moment, staying silent would've made Sigourney seem far too mild.

So, she simply glanced at the girl and let out a cold chuckle.

"Excuse me? Just because you're a sugar baby doesn't mean the rest of us have to stoop to your level."

"With that uncultured, ignorant mouth of yours-did your parents not send you to school because they were too poor back then?"

"And another thing-are you deaf, or just incapable of understanding words?"

Sigourney didn't hold back in the slightest.

"The staff already told you-I chose this bag first. You're the one trying to snatch it. So don't act so entitled, it makes you look like some bitter old hag."

Her tone was casual, just a few sharp words tossed out without effort-but they hit hard.

The girl's face turned from pale to red, trembling with rage. She pointed at Sigourney, lips quivering as she tried to curse back, but she was too furious to form any coherent words.

She turned toward the man beside her for help, but he merely looked at her coldly, indifferent. With a slight shrug, he made it clear-he wasn't about to get involved.

Sigourney let out a faint chuckle. The man's face looked familiar, but she didn't care enough to dwell on it. Instead, she turned to the girl and spoke calmly.

"I heard you have a VIP membership at this store?"

The girl, regaining her confidence, planted her hands on her hips and nodded firmly.

"That's right. So what?"

"Getting nervous now, are you? Of course, a VIP member's privileges are far superior to someone lowly and poor like you."

She curled her lips into a scornful smile, her voice sharp and shrill. Sigourney didn't bother replying. She simply tilted her head and addressed the staff member.

"Is there any membership level higher than VIP? What are the conditions?"

The employee, slightly confused, still responded politely and professionally.

"Yes, we have the VVIP tier. The condition is..."

After hearing the requirements, Sigourney smiled nonchalantly. She handed over her bank card and asked the staff to deposit the required amount to upgrade her to a VVIP member. Then, with a subtle tilt of her chin toward the girl, she remarked:

"See? My card is now VVIP. One rank above yours."

"So if you have any sense, get lost. Don't humiliate yourself any further."

Sigourney's calm yet cutting response even made Hilary-who had witnessed it all-secretly admire her composure and sharpness. Meanwhile, the girl was livid, stomping her feet in frustration as she yanked Richard by the arm and stormed out of the store.

What she didn't notice, however, was that just as they were about to leave, Richard glanced back at Sigourney, his eyes flashing with a hint of obsession.

"Richard? Do you hear me?"

Lost in his thoughts, Richard was jolted back to reality by the sharp voice beside him. He replied indifferently.

"What is it?"

The girl hadn't expected Richard's sudden coldness and hurriedly clung to his arm, softening her tone.

"Why are you being so distant? I just wanted to know why you didn't defend me back there."

"You don't understand-she was so rude..."

She kept complaining, repeatedly badmouthing Sigourney.

Suddenly, Richard found the girl unbearably dull and annoying. Her shrill voice grated on his nerves, giving him a headache and a rising sense of fatigue.

He stopped in his tracks, massaging his temples, and said coldly to her,

"Enough. Get lost."

His sudden cold words left the girl completely stunned. She blinked, taking a while to process what she had just heard, her face clouded with confusion.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Let me take you home so you can rest, okay?"

She stepped forward, trying to reach for Richard's arm to support him, but he casually brushed her off and stepped back. His eyes were filled with disdain as he looked at her.

"Are you deaf? Or do you just not understand what I said?"

"I said, get lost."

Richard repeated coldly, his eyes narrowing with visible exhaustion.

"Don't ever show your face in front of me again. If you do, don't blame me for not being polite."

His blunt words only left the girl more shocked. She instinctively stepped closer, trying to explain herself.

"What's wrong, darling? Did I do something to make you angry?"

"If you didn't like me badmouthing that woman just now, then I won't do it again."

"Didn't you say you wanted me to cosplay in that maid outfit? I even bought it already..."

She kept trying to reach for his hand, desperate to hold on, but Richard was utterly repulsed-so much so that his skin crawled.

His voice dropped dangerously, veins bulging on his forehead.

"Get out. You have three seconds."

The moment he began counting, the girl panicked and hurried away, still clueless about what had just happened.

But Richard knew exactly what was going on inside him.

He wanted to pursue Sigourney.

Even if she was Theodore's wife.

As for Sigourney-

After a full day of shopping, she and Hilary had dinner before heading home. She didn't expect to find Theodore sitting in the living room when she returned.

So surprised was she that she forgot to greet him.

"You're back?"

"Do you have a moment to talk with me? Just a little bit."

Theodore turned at the sound of movement. Seeing Sigourney's stunned expression, he spoke first.

Sigourney nodded, setting down her large and small shopping bags and asking Aunt Miller to take them upstairs for her. Then she sat down on the sofa.

"Tomorrow, my corporation will be hosting an evening banquet. It's a celebration of the company's successful half-year performance, as well as of the completed projects from earlier this year."

"Do you have time to attend with me?"

Theodore didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point, gently explaining the situation to Sigourney.

They had agreed to appear close in front of outsiders, so her presence at such a banquet was perfectly reasonable.

She nodded in agreement, asking about the timing and what kind of gown she should prepare.

Theodore responded slowly, then added,

"As for the gown, since you'll be appearing with me, it should be more formal than usual-something from a well-known domestic or international brand."

"If you're free tomorrow, I'll accompany you to choose a dress, then head to the makeup studio, and after that, we'll go together to the hotel where the banquet will be held."

Theodore explained in detail, and Sigourney nodded.

She figured-might as well let him handle everything as he wished.