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Novel Catalog
Chapter 25
Noel immediately recognized the problem. She had seen Mandy struggle with fitting into clothes before, but this was different. The gown was simply too small, and no amount of pulling or pushing would make it fit.
“Mandy, maybe you should listen to the store assistant,” Noel suggested cautiously, but even she could see how uncomfortable Mandy looked, her face flushed with frustration.
“I don’t need your advice, Noel!” Mandy snapped, her usual confidence faltering as she tried once again to force herself into the gown. “Just help me get into it!”
Noel hesitated, her eyes darting toward the store assistant, who looked equally uncomfortable in the situation. The assistant had already warned Mandy multiple times, but she was too stubborn to accept it.
Meanwhile, Cordy stood outside the fitting room, arms crossed, watching the spectacle with an air of amusement. She had known exactly how this would play out. Mandy had always been the type to overestimate her own abilities, and this was just another example of it. Cordy wasn’t sure whether to feel sorry for Mandy or just enjoy the moment of triumph.
A few moments later, Mandy stepped out of the fitting room, looking even more flustered than before. The gown, which was meant to fit a much slimmer waist, was half-buttoned and didn’t quite sit right. It was clear to anyone who looked that it wasn’t meant to fit her.
“This is ridiculous!” Mandy yelled, tossing the gown aside in frustration. “It’s not my fault it doesn’t fit! The store assistant clearly messed it up!”
Cordy didn’t even flinch. She walked calmly toward the fitting room, eyeing Mandy with a cool smile. “I think you’ve had enough of trying to squeeze into something that wasn’t meant for you, Mandy. It’s not a good look.”
Mandy, now red-faced and seething with anger, glared at Cordy. “You think you’ve won, don’t you? Just because you’re married to John Levine doesn’t mean you get to walk all over me.”
Cordy raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t marry him, Mandy. But if you want to talk about walking all over people, let’s not forget who just tried to steal a gown that wasn’t meant for her.”
The tension in the room was thick, and even Noel could feel the unease. She wasn’t sure if she should intervene or just stay quiet, but she knew one thing: Mandy had pushed too far this time.
Mandy was ready to retort when the store assistant spoke up, trying to diffuse the situation. “Ms. Jessop, I’m afraid you’ll have to leave the gown behind. It’s reserved for Ms. Sachs, as we’ve explained.”
Mandy’s fury was palpable. “Fine! I’ll never shop here again!” she shouted, storming out of the boutique, her heels clicking furiously against the marble floor.
Noel sighed, her own frustration evident as she watched Mandy leave. She turned to Cordy, offering a weak smile. “I’m sorry about that, Cordy. You know how Mandy gets.”
Cordy didn’t acknowledge her apology immediately. Instead, she glanced at the gown once more, then at Dicky, who was looking up at her with wide eyes.
“Let’s go home, Dicky,” Cordy said softly, turning toward the exit. She didn’t need to waste any more time on Mandy’s tantrums. The boy needed her, and that was all that mattered.
As they left, Cordy couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. She had handled the situation well, keeping her composure even when it seemed like Mandy was doing everything to provoke her. And now, she had the gown—her gown—to wear on an important occasion, while Mandy had nothing but an empty hand.
That was how things worked now. Cordy wasn’t backing down. Not for anyone.