Chapter 30 Try Me


    The tea party was exclusively for female homeowners, and this one was addressed to Mrs. Jackson.


    Ethan couldn’t help but let a small, almost imperceptible smile curl on his lips as he handed the invitation back to Dawn, his voice calm andposed. “If you have the time, you should go. It’ll help you build some good connections.”


    Dawn blinked, considering it for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”


    After Ethan changed into his work clothes and left for the office, Dawn was left alone at home.


    She arranged for a logisticspany to pick up some of her belongings and send them to Northville,


    Once she finished with that, her phone rang. It was Anna, calling her out for a shopping trip. “You’re leaving soon and you’re not going to spend any time with me? I’m telling you, whatever important matters you think you have to handle, drop them ande out with me!”


    Unable to resist, Dawn quickly changed her clothes and headed out to meet her.


    “Now this feels right. I remember when you had to report every little thing to your Uncle Austin before you could leave. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were three years old,” Anna said, linking arms with Dawn as they walked.


    She teased, “It’s a good thing he didn’t have feelings for you. Can you imagine being with him? Your life would’ve been miserable.”


    Dawn couldn’t help butugh. “It wasn’t that dramatic.”


    Though, it was true–Austin had been very strict with her, even setting curfews once she started college.


    Back then, she had been so deeply in love with him that she’d interpreted it as his way of caring for her. But now she realized … no matter how much you loved someone, you couldn’t sacrifice your freedom or sense of self.


    Anna, noticing the rxed look on Dawn’s face, smiled in satisfaction. “I’m d you finally get it. Sometimes it’s just better to walk away. Speaking of, when are you going to introduce your husband to everyone?”


    Dawn looked around nervously and whispered, “He’s not my husband yet


    11


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    Anna found her secretive behavior amusing. “Isn’t it just a matter of time? Honestly, you’re acting like a thief afraid to show off her treasure.”


    “Anna!”


    Dawn pretended to swat at her, but just then, she noticed something across the street and came to a sudden stop.


    Anna, who had walked a few steps ahead, turned back, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”


    Dawn nodded toward a shop window, subtly pointing. “Sydney.”


    <i>Isn’t </i><i>she </i><i>supposed </i><i>to </i><i>be </i><i>seriously </i><i>injured</i>? <i>But </i><i>there </i><i>she </i><i>is </i><i>inside</i><i>, </i><i>happily </i><i>browsing </i><i>luxury </i><i>handbags</i>, <i>grinning </i><i>as </i><i>though </i><i>she </i>hadn’t been hurt <i>at </i>all.


    Anna let out a disapproving huff. “Interesting … Let’s go say hello.”


    Before Dawn could protest, Anna practically pulled her toward the store. As they reached the entrance, they overheard Sydney’s voice from inside.


    “Can you show me the bag in this photo? Money’s not an issue. My boyfriend’s loaded. I’ll pick out a few more if I feel like it.”


    Anna shot Dawn a quick look before storming into the store. “Well, well, well. Didn’t expect to see you in such a high–end store.”


    Some people overheard and turned their attention toward Anna.


    Sydney’s eyes narrowed, irritation shing across her face. When she spotted Dawn standing behind Anna, she realized the words had been aimed at her. “What did you just say?”


    Anna crossed her arms, her head tilted in challenge. “I thought you only had a problematic personality. Didn’t expect you to be hard of hearing too.”


    Sydney gaped, taken off guard. She hadn’t expected to run into Dawn, and even worse, now Anna was with her.


    “What, noeback?” Anna taunted, a wicked smile creeping onto her face as she looked at Sydney’s flushed expression. “I thought you were supposed to be hospitalized–but here you are, in a shopping spree. What happened to being barely alive?” <fn868b> Checktest chapters at f?ndnovel</fn868b>


    Sydney was on the brink of exploding. She quickly nced around, trying to maintain someposure. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to speak through gritted teeth. “Dawn! Are


    you going to let your friend talk to me like this? Or should I call Austin over here?”


    At first, Dawn hadn’t wanted to cause any trouble–not because she was afraid of Sydney, but because she simply didn’t want to deal with the hassle.


    But now that Anna had spoken up, how could she not back her up?


    Dawn replied coolly, “I can’t control what she says.”


    “You little … ”


    “Little what?” Anna stepped between them, rolling her eyes. “Go ahead, call Austin. I’d love for him to see how ‘weak and sickly‘ you are while you’re shopping for bags! You look fine to me!”


    Sydney had sneaked out while Austin was at work. If he found out, her lies would be exposed in an instant.


    She bit her lip and forced herself to calm down. After a long pause, she asked, her voice low and controlled, “What do you want?”


    Anna tugged at Dawn’s hand, scoffing. “We don’t want anything. Just came here to give you a piece of our minds.


    “I’ve never met anyone as shameless as you. After all the lies you’ve told and how you’ve tried to frame Dawn, you still have the nerve to use Austin’s money? Who do you think you are?


    “I’m telling you now–if I ever see you bullying Dawn again, I’m not just going to yell at you. I’ll make sure you regret it. Try me, see what happens.”