Ignored When Chasing: Why Cry After I Got Engaged-Chapter 20: What’s Wrong With Her Stomach?

Serena Hughes stood frozen, unsure of which part of her face to cover.

Even though the luxury store clerk had been trying her best not to look, she couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.

Fifty thousand, a hundred thousand—money was the one thing Damian’s mother didn’t lack.

Faced with this sudden turn of events, Claire Hale and Tia Bennett were stunned, their mouths hanging open in disbelief.

Just moments ago, they had been cursing the old woman, but once they realized she was Damian Hawthorne’s mother, neither dared to say another word.

Frances Bennett was especially fast and ruthless. Before they could even react, they could only watch as Serena Hughes was slapped again.

"This slap is to teach a homewrecker like you not to interfere in other people’s relationships." Frances Bennett flicked her hand in disgust.

Tears welled in Serena Hughes’s eyes, but she fought them back and said, "I’m not a homewrecker. Your son was the one who pursued me."

"There’s no smoke without fire. It takes two to tango, so don’t you dare play innocent with me. I’ve been around the block and met all kinds of people, especially girls like you." Frances Bennett crossed her arms, sat down on the sofa, and eyed her askance. "I spoke with your parents. They said my son and Cecilia aren’t in a committed relationship, so you’re just engaging in fair competition."

"Those were your words to your parents, weren’t they?"

Serena Hughes bit her lip tightly, not daring to speak.

"But that’s the truth, isn’t it? Cecilia Nathan herself said she and Mr. Hawthorne aren’t in a committed relationship." Claire Hale tried to speak up for her friend, but Frances Bennett immediately cut her off:

"I am Damian’s mother. You think I wouldn’t know if they’re together?! I know that many college students like you are always looking for shortcuts, hoping to latch onto a wealthy family and marry your way up the social ladder. Let me tell you, that will never happen with the Hawthorne family, and Damian will never be your ticket to a better life!" Every word from Frances Bennett was sharp, and her fierce gaze seemed to pierce right through to Serena Hughes’s soul.

"My son is about to marry Cecilia. You’d better back off now to avoid making things ugly later."

"Marry..." Serena Hughes’s face slowly turned ashen.

"Yes. Cecilia is already pregnant with a Hawthorne grandchild." At this, Frances Bennett’s tone softened. "I’ll let this slide since you’re young and don’t understand adult matters. But the Hawthorne bloodline must be brought into the family fold."

"Bloodline..." Serena Hughes let out a soft, meaningful laugh. "Ma’am, didn’t you know?"

"Know what?" Frances Bennett had a vague, sinking feeling.

"About Cecilia Nathan’s pregnancy... I thought you knew." At this, Serena Hughes paused deliberately.

She had heard it loud and clear that day: Cecilia’s pregnancy had been a chemical one.

But Frances Bennett clearly didn’t know.

No wonder Frances was so protective of Cecilia.

As far as she knew, Cecilia had never been particularly well-liked by the Hawthorne family.

It wasn’t impossible that they had started treating her well after finding out about the pregnancy.

’What a pity, though.’

Cecilia’s baby was already gone.

"What’s wrong with the baby in Cecilia’s womb?!" Seeing Serena Hughes hesitate, Frances Bennett’s voice shot up. "Serena Hughes, what are you trying to say?"

Serena Hughes was about to say the baby was gone, but seeing Frances Bennett’s reaction, she had a sudden idea and swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.

"Nothing. I was just curious about the baby, that’s all."

Frances Bennett frowned, sensing keenly that Serena Hughes wasn’t telling the truth.

But she didn’t press the issue, instead issuing a warning: "Damian’s maternal grandfather is about to celebrate his eightieth birthday. As soon as Cecilia’s pregnancy is announced, her marriage to Damian will be set in stone. As long as his grandfather and I are around, you will never set foot through the Hawthorne family’s door."

"Ma’am, did you only choose Cecilia because you could compare her to me?" Serena Hughes retorted, not to be outdone, and lifted her chin slightly. "What if, one day, I become rich and come from a good family? Would you choose me then?"

Hearing this, Frances Bennett couldn’t help but let out a derisive laugh. "Sure, you can try. But that’s not going to happen in this lifetime, is it?"

"With your family background, even if your neighborhood was demolished and you got a huge payout, it wouldn’t be enough to lift you into a different social class. Besides, the gap between you and Cecilia isn’t just about family background. It’s also about looks and talent."

With that, Frances Bennett picked up her bag and walked out with a cold smile.

Claire Hale and Tia Bennett were so angry they were trembling, but they were surprised to find Serena Hughes looking remarkably calm, as if she had come to some sort of understanding.

"Serena, are you okay?" Tia Bennett asked, concerned.

Serena Hughes smiled. "I’m fine."

’Frances Bennett only chose Cecilia because she had me as a point of comparison.’

’True, I’m just a poor, recent college graduate, but I’m still young. I have limitless potential.’

’As for Cecilia...’

’Her lie about being pregnant will be exposed one day.’

’When that happens, I’d love to see the look on Frances Bennett’s face.’

Serena Hughes touched her own cheek, her eyes darkening.

She took a selfie and immediately sent it to Damian Hawthorne.

’I won’t let myself be hit for nothing. This slap has to be worth something.’

’I don’t want to compete with Frances Bennett, but if I can get even a little bit of pity from Damian Hawthorne, it won’t be a total loss.’

"Serena, let’s just go. Forget the purse," Claire Hale said, pulling Tia Bennett over to Serena Hughes. "We appreciate the thought, but we aren’t rich. A bag like that wouldn’t be very useful for us anyway."

Tia Bennett nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Serena. We can buy a purse anywhere. Why does it have to be from this store? Even if you can stomach this, I can’t."

She was talking about the clerk’s attitude.

Even if they could afford it, they wouldn’t want to buy it here.

Besides... they really couldn’t afford it.

The tie-in sales alone were two million. That was more money than they could earn in decades.

"It’s fine. If the tie-in is two million, then it’s two million." Gritting her teeth, Serena Hughes took out the five-million-dollar card Damian Hawthorne had given her.

That five million was the fee Damian Hawthorne had paid to buy her out of her coffee shop job.

He’d said it was to buy out her career, but it was really just spending money for her.

She hadn’t wanted to spend it, but now she saw things differently.

’I’ll be with Damian Hawthorne sooner or later.’

’What I’m spending now is just a drop in the bucket, but I can’t afford to lose face here.’

When they heard she was going to spend two million on tie-in products, the store staff’s eyes lit up.

Looking down on her was one thing, but a customer who was actually willing to buy was another matter entirely.

In the end, she spent four million to buy everything.

Carrying some of the bags out of the store, Serena Hughes’s legs felt a little weak.

Claire Hale and Tia Bennett also felt like they were in a dream.

"My God, four million..."

They had never seen so much money in their lives.

"Serena, what are you going to do with all this stuff?" The two of them were a little baffled, seeing that she had picked out a selection of scarves and jewelry.

"Give them away as gifts."

"Gifts?" Claire Hale covered her mouth in surprise. "Your mom can’t possibly use all this stuff, can she?"

"I’m not giving them to my mother." Serena Hughes gave a meaningful smile. "They’re for our great teaching assistant, Cecilia Nathan."