Whenever she thought of Lawrence Okoro, her chest no longer stayed still.
She respected him. She trusted him. His kindness had entered a place Femi’s pride had wounded.
A few days later, Lillian went to the biggest luxury mall in the city to choose a dress for the welcoming banquet and succession event. She wore a simple outfit and dark glasses, hoping to shop quietly.
But peace did not last.
She had just stepped out of a luxury store with 2 attendants when she heard a familiar voice.
“Lillian.”
She turned.
Vanessa, Mrs. Margaret, and Clara were walking toward her.
They looked softer now. Careful. Almost humble.
Vanessa smiled falsely. “We were hoping to see you.”
Mrs. Margaret forced warmth into her voice. “My daughter, let us not continue all this bitterness.”
Clara nodded quickly. “We are all women. There is no need for hatred.”
Lillian said nothing.
She could see through them. They were not sorry. They were only adjusting to the price they now believed she carried.
Mrs. Margaret stepped closer. “What happened before, let us leave it behind.”
Vanessa added, “We may have misunderstood some things.”
Lillian simply turned and continued walking.
That was all it took.
Vanessa’s fake softness vanished. “Look at her. She is acting as if she is too big to answer.”
Clara’s face changed too. “She wanted us to beg.”
Mrs. Margaret’s mouth hardened. “This is why some people should never taste power.”
Lillian stopped and turned back slowly.
Vanessa folded her arms. “So what if you have money now? You think that makes you better than us?”
Mrs. Margaret looked around and said loudly, “People like you do not belong in places like this.”
Clara added, “Wearing luxury will not change where you came from.”
Vanessa stepped forward. “Expensive clothes do not make a woman classy. You are still the same person underneath.”
Lillian held her gaze. “Money does not make me better than you. Character does. That is why even with all this noise, you still look small.”
Their faces changed.
Vanessa opened her mouth, but another voice came first.
“And that is the kindest thing anyone could say to you today.”
They turned.
Lawrence was walking toward them.
He moved to Lillian’s side without hesitation.
Mrs. Margaret tried to recover. “Mr. Okoro, we were only—”
“You were only doing what you know best,” Lawrence said coldly. “Following her around to insult her.”
Vanessa forced a smile. “You are misunderstanding.”
“No. I understand you very well.”
Then Lawrence looked at the store manager, who had rushed over after noticing the tension.
“How many stores does this brand have in the city?”
The manager blinked. “6, sir.”
Lawrence handed him a card. “Call your head office. I’m buying all of them.”
The manager froze.
Vanessa stared. Mrs. Margaret’s mouth opened. Clara looked from Lawrence to Lillian in shock.
“All 6 outlets today,” Lawrence said. “And when the papers are ready, transfer them to her name.”
Even Lillian had not expected that.
“You do not need to do this,” she said quietly.
“I know,” Lawrence replied.
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