Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 345: One Step Away From Being a Beggar (2)

Adrienne’s dark eyes then shifted to her stepsister. She heard the Ji family had canceled the engagement a few days after Camilla was arrested, and she had no doubt the Jiang family suffered a loss because of it.

"You must have some hearing impairment if you think Sierra was joking earlier, Elise." She said it, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It’s clear that she meant every word she said, and it’s about time someone called her out on her behavior."

"Addie, that’s..." Elise was lost for words. She couldn’t believe Adrienne could easily dismiss her like this.

"Don’t bother to reason it out to her, Elise." Sierra glared at Adrienne. "We came here to pick up the bags we ordered. We’re just unlucky to see Addie today."

"What now?" Adrienne crossed her arms over her chest and thought to end the conversation, not wanting Scarlett to witness or overhear what Sierra and Elise had to say about her.

"You two still shop around as if your families aren’t facing difficulties already. A single bag from this store could cover the monthly expenses of a single household outside of high society. Don’t you think you are being selfish by spending recklessly?" Adrienne cupped her chin and looked suspiciously at Sierra.

Sierra felt a cold shiver on her spine. The truth was, she came here to pick up the bag she had preordered for someone. She would earn a commission for it, and she just invited Elise to hang out with her today as she felt it’d been a while since they shopped together.

Sierra felt humiliated. She could put up with Ayla being compared to her, but Adrienne’s attitude would never be acceptable. For her, Adrienne wasn’t worth her time or attention, yet she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy towards her cousin’s success and confidence.

"What’s taking you so long to get my order?" Sierra snapped at the innocent store assistant.

The store assistant’s eyes widened, and she mumbled an apology before rushing off to process Sierra’s order.

Unbeknownst to them, Lennox had arrived at the same store to meet Adrienne and his siblings. He was standing at the store entrance when he noticed Adrienne in a heated argument with her cousin, Sierra Jiang, and her stepsister, Elise. He had seen both women on several occasions before, but he never had a talk with them. Seeing that Adrienne had already put Sierra in her place, Lennox strode towards his wife.

Sierra and Elise’s eyes widened upon seeing him, not expecting that he was around. Their complexion turned ashen as they realized Lennox might have overheard their conversation with Adrienne.

"I’m sorry I’m late, Babe," Lennox said, wrapping an arm around Adrienne before kissing her temple, "but I’m here now."

Adrienne relaxed in his arms and looked at him with a genuine smile, making Lennox’s heart skip a few beats. Sierra and Elise couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy at how loving Lennox and Adrienne were towards each other. It was clear to them that Lennox adored Adrienne and that she was the happiest she had ever been since they got married.

However, their silent envy turned to fear when Lennox turned to face them, his eyes cold and hard.

"Is there a problem?" Lennox’s voice was calm, but there was a hint of danger that made Sierra and Elise tremble.

"No, no problem, Mr. Qin," Elise said quickly, trying to sound as polite as possible.

"Who are you anyway?" Lennox feigned ignorance as he questioned his wife’s stepsister. He knew things about Elise Jiang, and he would never forgive this woman for almost sending Adrienne to ’Elysian.’ How could someone send her own sister to have her defiled by repulsive men at the gentleman’s club?

Elise looked at him in disbelief. "Elise Jiang. I’m Addie’s sister."

Lennox casually gave Adrienne a glance, noticing a flash of anger in her eyes.

"You have a sister, Addie?"

Adrienne shook her head. "I don’t have one. I have a brother, and that’s Hunter."

Lennox then hummed and nodded.

"I thought so," he said before turning back to Elise. "It’s really laughable how a mistress’ daughter compares herself to my wife. She must have lost her mind."

Sierra gasped, her mouth hanging open in shock. She had heard rumors about Lennox Qin, but she never expected Lennox to be so ruthless in his remarks. Elise’s eyes widened, and she looked at Adrienne, shame written all over her face. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her face drained of color, and she felt as though she was going to faint. They stood there in silence, feeling ashamed and embarrassed. They had never felt so small and insignificant before.

Thankfully, the store assistant returned with Sierra’s order. Sierra quickly grabbed their bags before scurrying out of the store. She and Elise were filled with envy and bitterness. They knew that Adrienne had everything they could ever want, and they hated her for it.

Adrienne watched them leave with a look of disdain. She knew that her cousin and stepsister were only trying to bring her down because of their own insecurities and jealousy. She turned to Lennox, still fuming, and placed a gentle hand on his chest, trying to calm him down.

"You handled them well, Addie. Do they always speak to you like that?"

Adrienne smiled at him, knowing his words showed genuine admiration for her. The old Adrienne would have felt wronged and cried silently, but that ’Adrienne ’didn’t exist anymore.

"It’s not the first time I had to deal with them, Lennox. I’ve learned to not let them get to me."

"I know," Lennox said, pulling her closer to him. "But I still think you’re amazing. And don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise."

"Let’s not waste our time and energy on them, Len," she said softly. "They’re not worth it."

Lennox took a deep breath before nodding, relaxing his grip on her.

"You’re right, Addie. Let me pay for my sisters’ bags before we go. I know you were planning to spoil them again." He said with a slight smile on his face. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Adrienne merely shrugged and said, "Guilty as charged."