Chapter 195

Lainey was practically glowing with satisfaction.

In her mind, it already felt like the Benton Group's shares belonged to her.

With the Benton couple completely charmed byher,what could Eleanor possibly do to stop her now?

Buzzing with excitement, she slipped into a chic outfit and headed out for shopping.

The moment she entered a luxury boutique, she didn't bother sparing the price tags a single glance.

"I'll take this one, that one... oh, and that too," she said airily, tilting her chin toward the sales associate who was scurrying after her. "Wrap up those handbags for me. I'm buying them all."

Her bold display quickly drew attention. Shoppers paused mid-step, whispering and stealing glances filled with both envy and awe.

Lainey basked in it, soaking up every bit of admiration.

This was the moment she longed for.

She wanted everyone to see with their own eyes that she wasn't the useless Gilbert girl anymore, no longer someone who had to bow and scrape.

Now, she was part of the Benton family, standing tall and untouchable.

But just as she was reveling in her moment, a crisp voice broke through the chatter.

"Hi, I'm here to pick up the custom bag I ordered earlier."

The crowd parted slightly as Lillian walked in,heading straight toward the counter with her usual confident stride.

There stood Lainey, the center of attention,with eyes glued to her from every side.

Dressed head-to-toe in luxury, she was trying so hard to flaunt her wealth.

To Lillian, it was gaudy and pathetic.

The sales associate, recognizing Lillian right away,hurried to the counter and pulled out an elegant box from under it. "Ms. Brooks, this is your custom piece.Please check if everything is in order."

Lainey's gaze locked on the box instantly.

The logo gave it away. It belonged to the brand's most exclusive line, the kind of product that couldn't just be bought with money.

She looked at Lillian, her eyes lighting up with an idea. Without thinking twice, she grabbed the box from the salesperson.

"This one's beautiful," she said smoothly, running her fingers over it as though it already belonged to her."Add it to my purchases too." The sales associate was caught off guard and stammered awkwardly, "This item was specially made for Ms. Brooks..."

Lillian's eyes went cold.

She wasn't surprised. Lainey was trouble.

"First come, first served, Lainey. Haven't you heard of that?"

Lainey threw back her head and laughed, as if someone had just told the worId's silliest joke.

"You're kidding, right?" She toyed with the box in her hands, her eyes flicking over Lillian with open disdain. "I want it, so I'll take it. What's the problem?"

It was clear she was just picking on Lillian.

The Brooks family was no longer a threat to her.

Once she cemented her position as the new branch CEO of the Benton Group, wiping out the Brooks family would be child's play.

Lillian stayed calm, completely ignoring Lainey's smug expression, and let out a quiet chuckle.

She lifted her wrist to glance at her watch,uninterested in wasting her time on someone like Lainey.

"Some people can only show off in boutiques like this," Lillian said lightly. "No matter how loud she shouts, she still won't marry into the Stewart family,will she?"

Her gaze softened with quiet condescension. "Look at my friend Eleanor. She doesn't even have to make an effort, and Nolan's heart is already hers. Go ahead, take the bag if it pleases you."

She waved her hand casually, treating the bag like nothing valuable. "I'm feeling generous today, so think of it as a little gift from me out of pity."

With that, Lillian turned gracefully and walked away,leaving Lainey fuming.

Lainey's face burned red with fury.

How dared this woman humiliate her in public? Lainey clenched her fists, silently swearing that she

would one day make the Brooks family pay.