Chapter 115
Having just checked the records, the store manager clearly remembered that the delivery address for all of Charlotte's previous purchases was indeed 11 Cloud Peak Lane.
A cold sweat broke out across the manager's back. This was clearly a family dispute, and she really shouldn't get involved.
At this moment, the onlookers also changed their attitude and began openly criticizing Charlotte.
"Who would've thought? Such a pretty face but such a nasty mind. If my future daughter-in-law ever dared to manipulate me like that, I'd kick her out immediately." It was that rich lady from earlier again.
"Hard to believe she'd treat her own family so badly. Doesn't her husband do anything about it?"
"I wouldn't be too sure," another shopper murmured. "Those two women don't look like easy people to deal with either."
The store buzzed with malicious gossip as the manager looked at Charlotte awkwardly. "Ms. Spencer—"
Charlotte understood the manager's plight and had no desire to escalate the employee's stress.
She offered a calm, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."
Then her expression turned cold. "Mrs. Forbes, the truth is, I've always respected my elders, which is why all these years I've given all my bags to you."
Believing Charlotte was finally backing down under public pressure, a smug look flashed across Cynthia's face. "I'm glad you have finally come to your senses. Hand the bag to Elara right now."
Elara didn't hesitate. She stepped forward, reaching out to snatch the handle. "Give it here."
Charlotte quickly stepped back, keeping the bag out of reach. "Wait, I wasn't finished."
Elara looked annoyed. "Then hurry up! Stop wasting our time."
Charlotte was genuinely amazed by the sheer, unadulterated shamelessness of Cynthia and Elara. "Fine, I'll keep it brief."
She stared coldly at Cynthia. "I only show respect to elders who deserve it. And you don't deserve my respect at all."
Cynthia's voice went shrill. "Charlotte! Do you have any idea what you're saying?"
Elara lunged forward, her face twisted in anger. "Charlotte, believe it or not, I'll have Alexander teach you a lesson!"
But Charlotte showed no fear whatsoever.
Since Cynthia and Elara insisted on making a scene, there was no reason to preserve their dignity.
She gestured for the store manager to block Elara's advance, while opening her phone and swiping through her gallery.
"Everyone, take a look and see if this mother-in-law deserves my respect."
She held the phone high. The screen displayed a crystal-clear video, its audio loud enough for the surrounding crowd to hear perfectly.
The footage showed a group of elite society ladies gossiping over high tea, with Cynthia right in the center.
Cynthia: "If any of you know outstanding young men or women, let me know."
The others teased her, asking if she wanted to adopt a goddaughter.
But Cynthia sighed. "You don't understand. My daughter-in-law is uneducated , and she's so inconsiderate. Now she's constantly running around town, completely neglecting her own son."
"A daughter-in-law like that—we'd be better off without her."
The others chimed in, though clearly without much sincerity.
But Cynthia grew more pleased with herself. "You're right."
"I'm telling you, if she doesn't shape up soon, I'll just have my son divorce her."
The video froze on Cynthia's smug face, as if Alexander had already divorced Charlotte.
Before the screen even went dark, the crowd erupted again.
"So this old woman is the bad one! We completely misjudged Ms. Spencer."
"I've never seen a mother-in-law behave like that, actively plotting her son's divorce over tea!"
"And she still expects Ms. Spencer to give her gifts? How shameless." This time the rich lady pointed right at Cynthia's nose.
By now, Cynthia's face had gone pale, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.
In all her decades of life, she'd never been so humiliated. It was all that bitch Charlotte's fault!
With shaking hands, Cynthia pointed wildly at her daughter-in-law. "Everyone, don't listen to her! This video isn't real! It's fake!"
Elara's face also flushed red with anger. "Charlotte, this is slander! I'm calling the police on you!"
But Charlotte showed no fear. Instead, she stepped forward. "Call the police? By all means, go ahead!"
"Let them investigate whether this video is real or fake."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Elara's eyes.
The store manager saw this and immediately volunteered. "Ms. Spencer, let me call the police for you."
Seeing the manager pull out her phone, Cynthia panicked and reached out to knock it away. "Don't call the police!"
Witnessing Cynthia's reaction, the entire crowd instantly understood the truth, and they all started speaking up for Charlotte.
"Call the police! And have them search out all the bags these two have taken before!"
"This mother-in-law is beyond shameless!"
"I have never seen a meltdown like this in real life. It's so dramatic."
Cynthia and Elara were in a terrible mess.
Trembling with rage and desperation, Cynthia changed tactics. "Charlotte, if you ruin the Forbes family's reputation, how does that benefit Owen? Don't you think about him at all?"
Hearing Cynthia mention Owen, Charlotte hesitated for a moment.
After all, he was the child she had endured unimaginable agony to bring into the world and raise. Although her heart had grown cold, that didn't mean she wanted to see him hurt.
Locking eyes with Cynthia, Charlotte’s voice was lethal. "When I married into the Forbes family, I gave up my career, had a child, and worked tirelessly to serve your whole family. I've never owed you anything."
"So if you dare provoke me again, I promise I won't let you off easy."
The onlookers and staff hearing this all spoke up for Charlotte.
"Apologize! Apologize!"
"Exactly! We won't call the police if you apologize!"
"If you don't apologize, we'll call the police!"
Cynthia's face went white as paper, swaying unsteadily.
Elara supported her, grinding her teeth in hatred. "Go ahead and call the police. You want me to apologize to this bitch? Keep dreaming!"
The rich lady clicked her tongue. "Calling your own sister-in-law a bitch? You're really nasty."
Another customer said, "Forget it, if they won't apologize, just call the police."
The manager and Charlotte quickly exchanged glances, and she opened her phone again, pressing the emergency number.
"Don't call the police!"
Cynthia threatened the manager with false bravado. "Do you have any idea who the Forbes family is?!"
But the manager scoffed. "In our company's eyes, Ms. Spencer is the person who deserves the most respect. As for the Forbes family, we don't care about them at all!"
Cynthia looked incredulous. "What are you saying?"
The manager glanced at her dismissively. "I still need to call the police."
Cynthia's trump card failed, and she lost all her presence on the spot.
Watching the manager's finger press on the screen, afraid of losing face, she seemed to see herself being arrested by police with ugly photos posted online.
So Cynthia shuddered violently. "Don't call the police! I'll apologize."
"Mom! Apologize for what? That bitch doesn't deserve it."
Elara still wanted to resist, but Cynthia grabbed her and pulled her close, holding her down.
"Shut up and apologize to Charlotte. Now."
Elara's eyes reddened with grievance. "Mom—"