Chapter 43 Rumors
Layla's face twisted instantly, the pleasant mask slipping away. Beside her, Mireille's smile faltered. She'd already pieced it together—Layla had been using her. A $280,000 jewelry set she hadn't even bothered to try on? As if she'd actually buy it. And now, with Jennifer gone and the bill already paid, every pair of eyes in the store was on Layla, watching her squirm.
Nina stepped forward, her professional smile unfazed. "Would you two ladies like to see some other pieces? Several of our new collections this year have been selling extremely well."
Mireille's expression hardened. "What a buzzkill. I'm not buying anything." Without another glance, she pivoted and walked toward the door.
Only then did Layla snap out of it, panic flashing in her eyes. Mireille was one of her biggest clients—offending her was the last thing she could afford. She hurried after her.
"Mireille, wait! Let me explain. She must have become someone's sugar baby—how else could she afford it? Don't let her fool you with that refined-lady act. She's an expert at seducing men." Layla's voice dripped with disdain.
She remembered seeing Jennifer receive expensive gifts at the company before and now embellished the story, weaving in lurid details about Jennifer hooking up with wealthy men for money while still keeping a boyfriend.
Layla had never liked Jennifer's type—women who pretended to be pure but were ruthless underneath—and she hadn't hesitated to confront her in public.
Her words hit Mireille. Nothing disgusted her more than homewreckers who acted like they were usurping the legitimate wife's place. Shameless. She'd invited Layla out today to help polish her image and, hopefully, keep her marriage intact. Thinking of that, her expression softened.
"I appreciate that you have such a strong sense of justice for someone so young," Mireille said. "But if you're shopping with me, you need to put my reputation first. Don't try to manipulate me again, and I'll stand up for you when it matters."
Layla's fingers tightened around the shopping bag, but her smile was smooth. "How could I ever manipulate you, Mireille? I truly thought that set suited you—she doesn't deserve it." Her tone was dismissive, but jealousy was burning her up inside.
Jennifer's luck was infuriating—barely dumped by Eugene and already clinging to some generous man. For him to spend that kind of money on her, he had to be either ancient or hideous. Who would have thought that Jennifer, who loved playing the innocent, would sink so low after her family troubles?
Layla decided she'd make sure the whole classmate circle and professional network heard about it.
After leaving, Jennifer strolled past a boutique design shop and spotted a pair of ruby cufflinks in the window. She picked them up, turning them in her fingers. They would suit Francis perfectly. Without hesitation, she swiped her card.
At home, she put on her new jewelry before going to find him. "Do you like it?" she asked, standing in the doorway.
Francis's eyes lit with a flicker of surprise. She rarely wore ornate pieces, and now, paired with simple loungewear, the rubies gave her a striking, almost magnetic allure. He patted his lap. "Come here."
Jennifer blushed but stepped closer, settling onto his legs. His fingers brushed the ruby at her earlobe, lingering as her skin warmed under his touch. He leaned in, breath grazing her ear. "The whole thing's red now, you're so cute."
Jennifer pushed at his chest, standing with a flustered huff. "I asked you to look at the jewelry, not tease me! I even bought you a gift—totally not worth it."
"A gift?" Francis's brows lifted. He hadn't expected her to think of him while shopping.
She handed him a sleek gift box. Inside lay the cufflinks. Francis glanced from them to the earrings she wore. "Are they a set?" The rubies matched perfectly, their color so identical they could have been cut from the same stone.
"They were just a freebie with my jewelry purchase," she said stubbornly. "Not worth much."
"That's fine. I like them. I'll wear them with you when the time comes." He tucked the box away and pulled her into his arms. He knew at a glance the stones were flawless—no way they were a giveaway. And he'd already seen the bill that afternoon, wondering why she'd bought cufflinks. Now he knew. To reward her thoughtfulness, he kissed her until her cheeks flushed.
But work was relentless lately, and after a few lingering moments, Francis headed to his study.
Jennifer lay in bed alone, replaying the encounter with Layla. As irritating as she was, Layla had made one point—being unemployed made people look down on you. Now that Eugene was out of the picture, maybe it was time to find a proper job. Still, she'd need Francis's approval. For now, she decided to interview first, tell him later if she found something suitable.
She had a solid academic background and an impressive portfolio, so the interview invitations rolled in almost immediately. She scheduled interviews during Francis's work hours.
The first was with the design department of a major jewelry brand. Jennifer arrived polished and confident, offering sharp insights into their latest collection. Odette, the interviewer, seemed genuinely engaged—until an HR staffer slipped in and whispered something in her ear.
Odette's expression shifted, regret flickering across her face. She asked a few perfunctory questions before closing her folder. "I'm sorry, Ms. Brown. You're talented, but you're not the right fit for our company."
Jennifer left puzzled. In the open office, she noticed a few employees chatting over coffee, glancing her way. She didn't recognize any of them and brushed it off, checking the time before heading to her next appointment.
The second interviewer was a middle-aged man whose gaze lingered in a way that made her skin crawl. "Is there something on me?" she asked, frowning.
He smiled faintly. "No… just curious why you'd need to work." His questions barely touched her professional skills, and when he told her to wait for notification, she knew the interview was already dead.
The third company canceled before she even arrived. "Our boss doesn't like employees with messy private lives," the receptionist said flatly.
Jennifer's voice sharpened. "And why would you say that?"
The line went dead.
She'd started the day full of confidence, certain her skills would speak for themselves. Now, after three rejections, her optimism had collapsed. She needed to know what was going on. That evening, she called Mia and asked her to meet for dinner.
When Mia saw her in formal clothes, looking drained, she frowned. "What happened?"
Jennifer recounted the bizarre string of interviews. Mia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Sounds like it's not your work they have a problem with… but something else is coloring their view of you."