Chapter 253
“It has nothing to do with you.”
Winnie’s voice was cold and flat. She didn’t even look at Michael when she said it.
Michael’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to respond—but in the end, he swallowed the words back down.
Winnie had already turned away.
Only when his figure disappeared into the private room did she finally allow herself a small breath. Her expression, however, remained unchanged—carefully controlled, unreadable.
She picked up the order list and began selecting items from the shelves: snacks, premium gift sets, neatly packaged assortments meant for VIP service. Each movement was precise, efficient, almost mechanical.
For a moment, it looked like nothing had happened at all.
Then Veronica appeared.
“Winnie,” she called out, her tone deliberately light, “what are you doing still standing here? Didn’t I say today’s VIP guests are yours to serve? Hurry up and bring everything inside.”
“I’m managing the store,” Winnie replied without looking up. “Find someone else.”
Veronica let out a soft laugh. “But Michael is here. Who else would understand him better than you?”
The words were gentle—but the intent was sharp.
A pause.
Then Veronica tilted her head slightly, her voice turning sharper. “Or are you afraid? Afraid you’ll embarrass yourself in front of the man you like?”
That last sentence landed exactly where it was meant to.
Winnie’s hand stopped mid-motion.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze.
For the first time, there was something dangerous in her calm.
Veronica didn’t step back. Instead, she smiled—provocative, pleased with the reaction she had finally provoked.
Winnie exhaled once, low and controlled.
Then she raised her hand.
Veronica reacted quickly, sidestepping just in time. The air where she had stood a second ago felt empty.
Her smile vanished.
“You really are unfit to be an heiress,” Veronica said coldly, brushing off her sleeve as if the near-strike had been nothing more than dust.
Winnie’s eyes darkened. “Veronica, don’t push your luck.”
The warning was quiet—but it carried weight.
For a brief moment, Veronica hesitated.
But then she looked around.
The store was full of Olson staff. Security. Employees. Every single person here belonged to her side of the family line.
And Winnie—
She was alone.
Veronica straightened again, confidence returning. “Don’t forget your agreement with Father,” she said coolly. “Here, I’m in charge. If you don’t like it, you can leave anytime.”
Her gaze sharpened.
“But the evaluation period is almost here. If you fail to endure even this much—if you can’t even survive in your own family’s store…”
She paused deliberately.
“Then you can forget about your mother’s trust fund.”
That line hit cleanly.
Right into the one place Winnie couldn’t fully shield.
Her fingers tightened around the tray until her knuckles paled.
Silence stretched between them.
Neither blinked first.
Veronica’s lips curled faintly in triumph.
And then—
Winnie laughed.
Soft. Cold. Controlled.
“You want me to serve them?” she said. “Fine.”
She lifted the tray.
“If you’re so eager to watch a performance…”
Her eyes met Veronica’s, sharp as glass.
“Then open your eyes properly.”
And without another word, she turned and walked toward the private room.
Veronica followed right behind her.
Inside, the atmosphere was already lively.
It was Lindsay Starr’s birthday, and the entire celebration had been carefully tailored to her tastes. The Olson Group Toy Center had been chosen specifically because she loved the brand—an intentional gesture from Michael, designed to please her.
Only a handful of Lindsay’s closest friends were present.
The rest of the room belonged to Michael’s circle—childhood friends, former classmates, and trusted colleagues.
People who had known him long enough to recognize familiar names.
And familiar history.
Michael had grown up orbiting Winnie’s world. Only in recent years had that connection been completely severed.
Which meant most people in the room knew one thing:
Michael had once pursued Winnie relentlessly.
And she had rejected him.
Repeatedly.
Michael’s reputation was solid in their circle. So when people retold the story, the narrative naturally tilted in his favor.
Winnie—the unattainable one.
The heartless one.
Then Veronica had helped cement that version of events.
Loudly.
Repeatedly.
By now, most people had heard enough to believe they understood the story: Winnie had dated multiple men, moved on quickly, and even attended a high-end matchmaking event recently.
A beautiful woman with a reputation that no longer matched her silence.
So when Winnie stepped into the room—
The air changed.
Conversation slowed.
Eyes turned.
And for the first time that night, the party stopped feeling like a celebration.