Ignored When Chasing: Why Cry After I Got Engaged-Chapter 19: Fifty Thousand for a Slap

Serena Hughes was in the hospital when she received a message from Damian Hawthorne.

Once it was confirmed that Cecilia Nathan was no longer participating in the competition, Serena Hughes breathed a sigh of relief, her mood instantly brightening.

If Cecilia had competed, Serena knew she wouldn’t have stood a chance.

The image of Cecilia playing the violin weighed on Serena’s heart like a stone.

Even though she hadn’t managed to get the sheet music, she wasn’t going to give up.

However, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking, Damian Hawthorne messaged her again, reminding her not to provoke Cecilia Nathan anymore.

Seeing his message, Serena Hughes dismissed it.

She wouldn’t go out of her way to provoke her, but she desperately wanted that sheet music.

Claire Hale and Tia Bennett were also there. Seeing Serena’s fluctuating moods, from happy one moment to depressed the next, they asked with concern, "Serena, are you feeling unwell anywhere? Should we call a doctor to take a look?"

Serena Hughes looked at her roommates, her heart warming.

These two roommates had always stood by her side.

"I’m fine, Claire, Tia. Didn’t you two say last time that you didn’t have any designer bags? Mr. Hawthorne gave me a card with quite a bit of money on it. Come on, I’ll take you shopping for some."

Hearing Serena Hughes’s words, both Claire Hale and Tia Bennett grew excited.

Designer bags!

They never expected their roommate, who had successfully latched onto a wealthy family, would actually be willing to buy them bags.

"Serena, you’re the best! Don’t worry, even though Cecilia Nathan is our teaching assistant, we’ll always be on your side."

"That’s right, Serena. If you need our help with anything in the future, just let us know. I’ve already decided, I’m going to do whatever it takes to help you marry into the Hawthorne Family and become Damian Hawthorne’s wife."

"Our Serena is so wonderful, she’ll definitely be able to marry in."

...

Listening to her roommates’ fawning, Serena Hughes’s lips curled into a smug smile. "Let’s go! Time to buy some bags!"

When they arrived at the mall, Serena Hughes immediately spotted an Hermès store.

"I’ve heard this is the pinnacle of luxury. Come on, let’s go straight for the best."

Serena Hughes led her friends inside, her head held high.

In the past, Serena Hughes could only look from the outside, not even daring to glance in. But now, holding the card Damian Hawthorne had given her, she felt bold enough.

"Hello, how much is this bag?" Claire Hale immediately set her eyes on one. "This bag is shaped like a house. It’s so unique."

"Hello. Please present your account details. This model is a custom order available only to our VVVVIP clients." The sales associate sized them up, her disdain unconcealed.

The associate’s stare made Serena Hughes uncomfortable. She mumbled, "We’re not VIPs. We just want to buy this one bag. What’s with that look? The fact that I’m asking means I can afford it."

She had never been in a luxury store before, let alone been sized up like this.

It wasn’t just her; Claire Hale and Tia Bennett were uncomfortable too.

"How dare a lowly sales associate look at us like that! If you don’t want to sell it, just say so! Where’s your manager? Do you have any idea who you’re offending?!"

"It doesn’t matter who you are. Please provide your account name or phone number so I can look you up. Oh, and I forgot to mention, even if you are eligible to purchase this bag, there’s a waiting list. Not just anyone can order this model, not even our VVVVIPs."

"That complicated..." Claire Hale huffed, then pointed casually. "What about that one?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"That one requires two million in other purchases," the sales associate said without batting an eye.

"Two mil—" Claire Hale’s face went pale.

Two million in other purchases...

She didn’t know much about luxury bags and had no idea you needed to buy other things just to qualify for one.

Claire Hale looked at her friend awkwardly. "Serena, let’s just forget it. We can check out another store."

Tia Bennett also sensed that something was off.

Even though Serena Hughes had brought them here, it was obvious that not just anyone could buy the bags in this store.

"Let’s look a little longer. If it really comes to it, I’ll just ask Mr. Hawthorne for his account details." For some reason, the sales associate’s condescending gaze had ignited her competitive spirit.

She could leave without buying anything, but she couldn’t stand being looked down on.

"Oh, right! Mr. Hawthorne must be a VVVVIP!" Claire Hale clapped her hands happily. "If we use a VVVVIP account, we probably won’t need to meet the other purchase requirements for this bag, right?"

The sales associate nodded, walked over to her computer, and said, "Please give me the account name of the person you just mentioned. I’ll look up his privileges."

"Damian Hawthorne," Claire Hale said, her eyes lighting up.

Hearing this, the sales associate stopped what she was doing. "Damian Hawthorne? You mean the one from the Hawthorne Family?"

"Yes, that’s him!" Claire Hale said proudly. "He’s my friend’s boyfriend."

"Boyfriend..." Hearing this, the sales associate gave a slight smile. "What a coincidence. He was just in today and bought a lot of bags."

"He just bought bags today..." Serena Hughes’s expression turned guarded.

Damian Hawthorne had left with Cecilia Nathan, after all.

’Could it be that all the bags he bought were for Cecilia?’

The thought of such expensive bags being given to Cecilia Nathan filled Serena Hughes with jealousy.

’Maybe Cecilia only agreed not to compete because of these bags.’

’If that’s the case, then those bags should have been mine!’

"Mr. Hawthorne came in with Miss Cecilia Nathan to buy them. They’re the ones who looked like a couple... I didn’t realize you were also Mr. Hawthorne’s girlfriend." The sales associate’s eyes were full of ridicule, as if mocking Serena Hughes for being a fake.

Serena Hughes couldn’t stand being provoked like this and retorted, "The two of them have never been together..."

But she didn’t deny her own relationship with Damian Hawthorne.

’Damian has been pursuing me this whole time; I’m the one who hasn’t said yes.’

’If I had agreed to be Damian’s girlfriend, Cecilia wouldn’t have even had a chance.’

"Who said she’s Damian Hawthorne’s girlfriend?"

A stern voice cut in.

Frances Bennett, handbag hooked on her arm, fixed a sharp gaze on Serena Hughes.

She had been shopping nearby and had just been passing by when she heard her son’s name.

"Miss Serena Hughes, you may have no shame, but I do! Since when were you Damian’s girlfriend? Please don’t spread baseless rumors and ruin his reputation!"

The sales associate’s jaw dropped, her face a mask of someone eager to watch a show.

Frances Bennett strode up to Serena Hughes in her high heels—CLICK CLACK CLICK—and, with a sharp SMACK, slapped her across the face.

"This slap is on behalf of your parents, to teach you a lesson about honor and shame."

Serena Hughes’s eyes went wide as she scrambled to cover her face.

Fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

It was the first time she had ever been slapped in front of so many people.

Claire Hale immediately flew into a rage. "Where did this old hag come from? How dare you hit my friend!"

After speaking, Claire Hale reached out to scratch Frances Bennett’s face but was pulled back by Serena Hughes.

"Serena, don’t stop me! Let me kill this old hag!"

"Claire, calm down!" Serena Hughes cried, holding her back. "She’s Mr. Hawthorne’s mother."

"What?"

Claire Hale froze.

Serena Hughes’s face was already red and swollen. Suppressing her fury, she said, "Ma’am, you can look down on me, and you can dislike me, but for that slap just now... if I were to sue you, it would cost you at least fifty thousand."

"I’ll give you a hundred thousand."

SMACK! Before Serena Hughes could react, Frances Bennett slapped her again on the other cheek.