Chapter 9 Kylie
Sunlight spilled through the tall glass windows of Max Mall. Mia walked beside Allen, who carried several shopping bags. He led the way while Mia wandered through the rows of luxury boutiques.
The polished floor gleamed beneath their feet as they moved from one luxury store to another. There were dresses, handbags, perfumes, and accessories. She even chose gifts for Allen, Anita, and the other maids who had treated her kindly at Alexander’s mansion.
Allen glanced nervously at the growing pile. “Miss Bennett,” he said, pointing toward a mannequin in a nearby store window. “How about that suit for Mr. Graves?” It was a sharp black suit with silver buttons.
He swallowed hard, thinking to himself, ‘If Miss Bennet buys for everyone except him, Mr. Graves might bury us all alive.’
Mia followed his gaze.
The suit was modern and luxurious—matte black, tailored loosely to hint at the strength beneath without clinging.
A single, subtle embroidery adorned the chest, intricate yet masculine, giving it a refined, powerful elegance.
The cut was sharp and contemporary, with structured shoulders and flowing lines that made it look effortlessly expensive and commanding.
“Of course, I’m going to buy something for Mr. Graves. How could I leave him out?” she said, smiling.
She looked at the suit and nodded approvingly. “I was already planning to buy that exact suit for Mr. Graves. It’s good that you agree. It means my taste in men’s style isn’t bad.”
Allen looked at her in surprise. “Miss Bennett, have you never bought gifts for a man before?”
She bit her lip softly. “I haven’t. My ex-husband didn’t allow me to make any purchases for him.”
Allen’s expression softened. He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Miss Bennett, you have excellent taste. I’m sure Mr. Graves will love anything you buy for him.”
Mia smiled at Allen.
"How are things going? Have we already bought more than fifty things like Mr. Graves wanted?"
Allen nodded. "The more things we get, the better, Miss Bennett. Do you want to get anything else?"
Mia shook her head, meeting his eyes. “All done. Let’s go home now.”
Allen immediately scanned the area, and within seconds, an assistant rushed over to them. Mia pulled out the gold card Alexander had given her, ready to pay for everything.
Meanwhile, Kylie strode through Max Mall, her oversized sunglasses shielding her gaze.
Her hair fell in glossy waves over her shoulders, perfectly styled to frame her high cheekbones and sharp jawline.
The designer dress hugged every curve, accentuating a slim waist and long, elegant legs, while her pointed heels clicked sharply against the polished floor.
Her full lips, painted a bold shade, and flawless skin gave her an air of polished, untouchable sophistication. Juggling multiple shopping bags, she moved with effortless confidence.
A young woman came running toward her, huffing and flushed. Unlike Kylie, she wore simple unbranded jeans and a t-shirt, her bare face pale from exertion. In her trembling hands, she held a coffee cup.
"Miss Brown, here’s your coffee," she panted.
Kylie halted, her lips curling in disgust. She snatched the cup from the girl and, with a flick of her wrist, dumped the scalding liquid over her. The young woman screamed as it soaked her shirt, the hot coffee burning her skin.
“Ah!” the girl cried, jumping back in shock, her eyes tearing up as the heat stung her skin.
"Look at yourself!" Kylie hissed. "Your hands are filthy with sweat! Do you expect me to drink this disgusting mess?”
The girl tried to explain, voice trembling. “Miss Brown, I ran all the way from the ground floor…? You asked me to take the stairs so your coffee wouldn’t get cold. I just—”
Kylie, unmoved, tossed the empty cup at her chest. It clattered to the floor, and she straightened, turning on her heel. "Bring me a better one. And for God’s sake, don’t come back in those clothes!”
The girl whimpered, voice small and trembling. “But Miss Brown, where am I supposed to get proper clothes in this mall? I can’t even afford a coffee here, let alone anything decent to wear.”
Kylie didn’t hear her. She moved on, disappearing into the crowd and scanning the mall for more purchases. Then, as she passed by a store, her steps faltered, and her body froze.
Inside, she saw Mia.
A chill ran down her spine, and her eyes narrowed immediately.
The woman before her was unmistakable—James’s ex-wife, the one from the photographs she had stared at for years, the one she had always envied. Kylie’s fists clenched.
She had tried everything to get close to James over the years, but the man had always brushed her off with a single, cold, “I’m married.”
Only now, upon hearing from friends that James had divorced Mia, did Kylie rush back to Manhattan, her plans set.
Clenching her teeth, she stormed into the store, her gaze immediately locking onto the gold card in Mia’s hand.
Without hesitation, Kylie snatched it just as Mia extended it toward the shop assistant.
Mia jerked back, eyes wide. Kylie slid her shades to the top of her head and fixed her with a cold, piercing stare.
"Thief," Kylie spat, turning to walk away.
Mia’s eyes widened. She glanced at Allen, then instantly shifted to block Kylie’s path, standing firm.
“Are you out of your mind?” Mia demanded, frowning. She reached to snatch the card back.
“You stole it from James, you—” Kylie snapped, lunging for it again.
Allen stepped forward, placing himself between them, holding her off with a firm glare.
“It’s my card, you idiot,” Mia said sharply, glaring at Kylie. “Who even are you?”
Kylie’s lips curved in a confident, almost arrogant smile. “I’m Kylie. James’s fri—” She stopped, squared her shoulders, and continued, “James’s girlfriend.”
Mia froze for a moment. She had heard Kylie’s name many times. Rumors had followed her everywhere. Everyone said Kylie Brown was James’s true love, and that he had married Mia only because Kylie had gone to France to pursue her acting career. And now Kylie was here.
Kylie’s mind raced. ‘How can someone like her have a gold card? Does she really think I’ll be fooled while she flaunts James’s money?’
Her voice dropped, cold and controlled. “Even I don’t have a card like this.
James always gave me the best he had. How could he give something like this to you?
Only people with the highest net worth carry cards like this.
And a divorced woman from a bankrupt family—like you—is carrying one? Impossible!”
“None of your business,” Mia answered at once. “Don’t waste my time. You can ask James if I stole anything from him.”
Kylie scoffed, stepping closer. “Do you think James would care about a thief like you? I know exactly what you’re doing—living off his generosity, even after the divorce."
Her voice rose, sharp and agitated. “I know all about you. After living with James with your bankrupt family, you’re still mooching off him even after the divorce? You were his slave for so long, and now you act high and mighty here in the mall, flaunting his money?"
Mia ignored her, turning to the shop assistant. She held out the card. “Here.”
The assistant took the card, glancing at Kylie as if she’d lost her mind. ‘This woman is scolding someone personally accompanied by Secretary Allen? Has she gone mad? Even the most VIP clients aren’t personally accompanied by Mr. Allen.’
After working at Max Mall for years, she knew who Allen was. Everyone respected him. He had complete command over everything that happened in the mall. And that gold card in the woman’s hand wasn’t something to overlook either.
As the assistant reached for the card, Kylie’s nostrils flared in fury.
She slapped the assistant’s hand down, making the card tumble to the floor.
"Didn’t you hear me?!" Kylie snapped. "I own three shops on this floor! Do you think I’m joking? Where’s your security?
Call them now! Don’t risk your reputation for someone like her—she could have stolen this card from anywhere! "
The assistant ignored her completely, picking up the card from the floor and gently wiping it clean. Then she tapped it against the payment machine—one soft beep later, the screen flashed green. Handing the card back to Mia with a polite smile, she said, “Purchase confirmed, Ms. Bennett.”
"Thanks," Mia said, smiling and taking the card. As the assistant offered her the shopping bags, Allen immediately stepped in and took them.
“After you, Miss Bennett,” he said politely, guiding the way.
Mia followed, sidestepping a fuming Kylie, and they left the store without another word.
An hour later, as Mia stepped into Alexander’s mansion, she was surprised by the commotion that greeted her.
"Miss Bennett!" Several people in black professional attire stood in the living room, trays in hand, carrying jewelry, clothes, party attire, and other luxuries.
Alexander stood at the center. Mia approached him, curiosity lighting her eyes. “What’s going on?”
"For the wedding," he said. "You need everything. I’ve hired the best designers, so you don’t have to stress. Just make your choices, and they’ll handle the rest."
Mia smiled warmly. “That’s wonderful. Thank you so much.”
Alexander’s gaze softened slightly. He tilted his head. "How was shopping?"
Mia’s fingers tightened on her dress for a brief moment. ‘I’ve already endured James’s friends for so long. I shouldn’t bother Mr. Graves with my personal life more than necessary,’ she thought.
After a moment, she smiled brightly. "Everything was perfect. I even brought gifts for everyone," she said, pointing to the bags Allen had placed on the table. "I’ll give them out now."
Happily, she walked away toward the maids to hand over the gifts.
As she stepped aside, Allen quietly approached Alexander. The smile vanished from Alexander’s face, replaced by a cold, dangerous look that Allen had grown used to seeing.