She was not one of the socialites of A City, but she could afford to buy items from such an expensive brand. It was either she
was a vain white-collar employee, or she had a sugar daddy.
She looked at Luca's exquisite face. This woman was hanging out with Nina. Madam Mallory simply categorized Luca as
someone in the latter category.
“Ms. Nina, I didn't expect to see you here." Madam Mallory pulled her gaze away and it fell on Nina. She curled the corners of
her mouth. It looked like she was smiling, but her smile was insincere.
"Such a coincidence, Madam Mallory." Nina forced herself to cover up the nervousness and helplessness in her. She pretended
to face her calmly.
"How have you been lately?" Madam Mallory continued to ask. She must be living a tough life without her son providing for her.
Nevertheless, she still wanted to strike a nerve in her.
This had nothing to do with her generosity. Sometimes, these women only dreamed of marrying a rich man so they could live
their lives comfortably. They would forget who they actually were.
When she ran into Nina, the first thing that came into her mind was to walk toward her. She intended to remind her what kind of
woman she was.
After all, the marriage between the Mallory and Johnston families was about to be called off. However, even if Percy called off
the engagement with Madison, she would never let the woman in front of her have the chance to get back together with Percy
again.
Madam Mallory thought of making Nina realize the gap between her and Percy so that Nina would stop thinking of seizing the
opportunity to play up to Percy.
"Not really, but I'm pretty sure that my life is better than before." Nina understood that Madam Mallory asked the question to put
her down, but she was someone who would tolerate it.
Even though things were not going well in all aspects of life, at least she was free.
Madam Mallory's expression changed when she heard that. Nina was obviously provoking her!
"Nice to hear that. I was worried that you might not be living well after you left my son," said Madam Mallory. Then, she turned to
look at Luca. "Who's this?"
"Hello, I'm Nina's friend." Luca took the initiative to answer.
Madam Mallory nodded with a look of despise in her eyes. She looked at the bag beside her. "This brand is pretty amazing, but
their products are expensive. I must say that you have good taste."
"Thank you." Luca thanked her without bothering whether the compliment was sincere or not.
“I didn't expect Ms. Nina to have such a capable friend. Enjoy your meal. I shall leave." After Madam Mallory mocked them, she
turned around and left.
Nina shook her head.
Luca asked caringly, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I've already gotten used to her looking for trouble with me back then. She's just mocking me now. Well, that's alright
with me," said Nina. She recalled that part of her stress had come from the Mallory family back then.
When she was still in a vague relationship with Percy, the Mallory family had always come looking for trouble with her.
However, they did not make a fuss out of it due to Percy's reputation. Hence, Percy's image in public was still good. The Mallory
family deserved credit for helping present such a good image of him in public.
"Does she always give you trouble? Does Mr. Mallory know about it?" Luca asked. She was surprised to know this. She only
knew that Pierre always came to look for trouble with Nina. After all, that man was interested in Nina, but she did not expect
Madam Mallory to mess with Nina often too.
"I don't know. Why should I tell him? He can't stop what his mother wants to do either," Nina replied calmly.
Luca nodded and recalled how Allison had embarrassed her in the past.
Madam Mallory must be like Allison, always making things difficult for Nina.
Nina was not someone who would tolerate something like this, but she had been beside Percy throughout those years, getting
bullied by them. It was indeed difficult for her.
If Percy had not been kind to her, Luca would never have agreed to them being in a relationship.
The dishes were served. Nina lost her appetite once she saw the food.
"At least have some of it. Let's go back and take a rest after this," advised Luca.
"Alright." Nina nodded, picked up her spoon, and ate.
After dinner, both of them left the shopping mall. Luca headed to the apartment with the bags in her hand, while Nina walked to
the taxi stand nearby.
There were barely any empty cars now as it was time for people to get off work.
She waited for a while. However, most of the taxis were taken by others. Nina felt a little depressed. She picked up her phone,
planning to hail a ride with an app. Just then, a Mercedes pulled up in front of her.
Nina looked at the car window that slowly rolled down. It was Madam Mallory.
"Ms. Nina, are you waiting for a taxi? Let me give you a ride," said Madam Mallory. She did not say some things because Luca
was present just now. After all, she still wanted to keep her sense of pride.
She would feel ashamed if someone else knew her son was madly in love with a woman like Nina.
Nina looked at her face. Although Madam Mallory was smiling, it gave her the chills. There was not even a hint of kindness on
her face. Nina shook her head and said, "No, thank you. I've already booked a ride. It'll be here soon."
"You've just picked up your phone. How did you manage to book a ride? It's after hours now. It'll be difficult to book a ride. Get in
the car. Let me send you home." Madam Mallory directly exposed her.
Nina was startled. It turned out this was how Percy had learned to be cunning. He got it from his mother.
“I have something to tell you. If you'd like to listen to me speak to you on the street, you may continue standing here as well."
Madam Mallory was running out of patience when Nina refused to compromise.
No one was allowed to reject her.
Nina took a deep breath. If she did not get into the car today, she had a feeling that she would not live her life peacefully in the
future.
Therefore, she passed the back of the car and got into the car from the other side.
Madam Mallory kept a distance away from her as if there was something dirty on her.
Nina noticed that Madam Mallory was trying to keep her distance. She wondered why Madam Mallory wanted her to get into her
car if she despised her so much.
"Let's go. Send Ms. Nina home," Madam Mallory ordered.
"Yes, Madam," the driver replied and started the engine.
Nina realized that the driver drove away without asking for her address. She knew that even though she had broken up with
Percy, Madam Mallory was afraid that they were secretly keeping in touch with each other. That was why she had been keeping
an eye on her silently.
Otherwise, how would the driver know the address of the apartment she was renting?
Madam Mallory looked at Nina's side profile, which was not considered delicate. She wondered why Percy was enchanted by
her. Why did it have to be her?
Also, Madam Mallory knew exactly why the Johnston family ended up like this. However, she did not investigate further into it.
Whatever happened to the Johnston family, the Mallory family would benefit from it at all.
"Ms. Nina, do you know what has happened to the Johnston family?" Madam Mallory asked.
Nina looked ahead and replied calmly, "It'd be too fake if I told you I didn't know anything about it."
Madam Mallory chuckled. Nina looked so calm as if she truly did not care about it.
Nina listened to her chuckle. It was not kind. There was a hint of disdain and mockery in it. Then, she said, "Now that the
Johnston family is in such a situation, will the Mallory family stand up and help them?"
"As a woman, these matters are not under my control. Leave it to Percy, his father, and grandfather to make the decision."
Madam Mallory stretched her handheld fan and gently waved it.
It was a gust of wind that was outrageously light, but it sent a chill down Nina's spine.