Chapter 8: Green Tea Bitch

The Next Day

Alice decided to spend the day shopping with her daughter, Emily. She had inquired with Marie about the school registration process and learned that it was still ongoing, so there was time. With no major meetings scheduled, Alice chose to enjoy this day with her daughter before she started school.

"Come on, baby, go get ready—we're going shopping today!"

"Alright, Mommy! I'll be out in a minute!" Emily beamed, her excitement evident as she dashed into the changing room.

Alice changed into casual joggers and a simple white top. She tied her hair into a loose bun, with a few strands falling softly around her face. Although she wasn't a fan of makeup, her bare-faced look was radiantly captivating. Emily chose a pink jumpsuit, and they left the presidential suite for the shopping mall.

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At the Shopping Mall

Alice strolled lazily yet gracefully into Seattle's high-end shopping mall, with Emily ahead of her, wide-eyed and delighted. The little girl pointed to a mini Barbie doll and a Barbie school bag.

"Mommy, I want that!"

"Alright, sweetheart. Mommy will get it for you."

They walked over to the children's section, and Alice bought anything her daughter set her eyes on. By the time they were done, their cart was full. After making the payment, they arranged for the items to be sent to their car. Next, they headed to the fashion section. Although Alice preferred comfortable clothing, she sometimes needed something more feminine.

As they turned a corner in the fashion store, Alice's smile faded, her expression turning cold. Across the polished floor, near a display of designer bags, stood Sherlin. Dressed in meticulously chosen attire, Sherlin was entirely unprepared for the sharp, calculating gaze Alice cast her way. Their eyes locked, and for a brief moment, Sherlin's composure slipped.

"Oh, my, Alice," Sherlin feigned surprise, her tone dripping with mockery. "I didn't know you could afford to come to this mall! And who's this little one?" Her gaze fell to Alice's daughter with thinly veiled contempt.

Alice's cold, unreadable expression didn't falter. "If you can't afford to come to this mall, Sherlin, that doesn't mean I can't," she replied smoothly, her tone dismissive as though stating an obvious fact. She subtly positioned herself in front of her daughter, shielding her from Sherlin's gaze.

Sherlin's eyes flashed with irritation before she forced a viciously sweet smile. "So, where have you been hiding all these years? It's strange to see you back in Seattle. I thought you'd never come back...

Alice leaned in slightly, her expression icy. "I never left, I only took a break. And now, I'm here to reclaim what's mine." Her voice held a quiet strength that made Sherlin's forced smile waver.

Sherlin's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly composed herself...did she know about their plans to kill her? No that couldn't be possible right..but she still wondered why Alice had escaped three years ago..

"It's amusing to hear you speak so confidently," she sneered. "Especially when you know your place."

Alice's gaze grew steely. "My place?" she asked, her tone lethally calm. "You may have enjoyed the comforts of what was left behind, but don't think for a moment it belongs to you."

Before Sherlin could respond, Alice turned her attention back to her daughter, her coldness melting for just a second as she took the girl's hand. "Come, darling. We're done here." And with that, Alice swept past Sherlin, leaving her standing in the middle of the gleaming floor, silently seething.

John, who was just entering, noticed the confrontation between Alice and Sherlin and quickly walked over to Sherlin.

"Oh, John, thank God you're here!" Sherlin said, putting on a distressed look. "Alice insulted me just because I tried to look out for her. She said I would never marry you and that I'll always be the third wheel because she won't agree to the divorce."

Seeing Sherlin upset, John's gaze softened as he comforted her gently. "Don't worry. I'll make sure she agrees to the divorce, and you'll become my legal wife."

With that, they walked together to the clothing section.

Alice strolled through the luxurious fashion section, her daughter's small hand held gently in her own. Her gaze was cool, distant, and her movements were measured with a grace that turned heads. She exuded a quiet authority.

Her daughter looked up, tugging at her hand and pointing to a shimmering necklace in a nearby display. "Mommy, look! It sparkles like the stars."

Alice's expression softened, a rare flicker of warmth in her otherwise unreadable gaze. "It does, doesn't it?" she murmured, bending slightly to her daughter's level, a faint smile gracing her usually impassive face.

But the moment was shattered by a familiar, grating voice.

"Well, Alice, I didn't expect to see you here in this section of the mall. I didn't know you could afford to shop here. You know, you could have asked me for recommendations—I come here often and could have helped you pick something out," Sherlin said, her voice dripping with condescension. She wore a falsely pleasant expression, especially for John's benefit as he stood beside her, his gaze averted, looking uncomfortable.

Alice straightened slowly, her face instantly resuming its icy composure. She held her daughter's hand firmly, grounding herself as she regarded Sherlin with a gaze that could have frozen fire.

Sherlin's smile grew sly, her eyes drifting down to Alice's daughter. "Oh, isn't this precious?" she murmured, leaning closer, her tone softening as though sharing a secret.

Alice's grip on her daughter's hand tightened slightly. Her expression didn't falter; it remained cold and controlled. But her eyes darkened, a dangerous glint flashing in her gaze. She knew Sherlin was putting on a facade for John's benefit, but she wondered how long Sherlin could keep it up.

"Well, Sherlin, recommendations from unworthy people are simply a waste of my precious time. Especially with your… questionable tastes." Alice's voice was barely above a whisper, but it held a deadly edge, like a blade concealed in silk. Her disdain was unmistakable as her eyes swept over Sherlin from head to toe.

"Oh, Alice, I was only trying to help," Sherlin replied, feigning innocence, her expression one of wounded kindness. She cast a glance at the nearby onlookers, who quickly began murmuring their disapproval of Alice.

Alice paid no attention to the whispers. She held her gaze steady on Sherlin. "Since you have time to meddle in my affairs, why don't you use it to keep your man in check? Perhaps work on moving from mistress to legal wife. Even if they don't say it to your face, I'm sure they laugh at you behind your back." Her tone was calm, almost unsettlingly so, as if she were discussing the weather.

Sherlin's face fell, her eyes tearing up as she struggled to hold her composure. Alice's words had struck a nerve. Sherlin knew people mocked her behind her back, labeling her as a mistress since Alice still hadn't divorced John. Now, to have Alice call her out so openly stung even more. With a feigned, trembling voice, she replied, "It's because you refuse to divorce John. You're clinging to him shamelessly, knowing full well he doesn't love you."

"Tell me," Alice replied, a provocative smile gracing her lips, "which part of me is clinging to John?"

"Then agree to the divorce!" Sherlin shot back, emboldened by the challenge.

Unable to tolerate Alice's words any longer, John intervened. "Let's divorce, then. Let's go our separate ways. If you agree, I'll know you're not clinging to me shamelessly." Though he felt a reluctant admiration for the change he saw in her, the way she was handling Sherlin irritated him, feeding his desire to sever their bond.

Sherlin's eyes sparkled with a malicious glint. If the divorce were finalized, then all her posturing today and act of "kindness" toward Alice would not have been in vain. Just as she savored the thought, Alice's calm voice broke through her daydreams.

"I wouldn't hesitate to sign the divorce papers," Alice replied, her voice smooth, "but I have my own conditions. When you're ready to meet them, then we can discuss filing for divorce."

Alice turned to Sherlin, her gaze steady, a faint, chilling smile on her lips—a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"You know, Sherlin, some of us don't need to play a role. Some of us don't crave validation. Unlike you." Her words were soft but cutting, her glacial smile hinting at hidden depths of disdain.

Sherlin opened her mouth to retort, but quickly thought better of it. Instead, she resolved that, no matter what it took, she would push for the divorce and become John's legal wife.

John, having overheard the exchange, found himself momentarily speechless. Without a word, he excused himself, stepping outside to take a call, but not before casting a lingering glance at Alice—a look tinged with surprise and an unspoken realization of just how much he had underestimated her.

Sherlin noticed the way John looked at Alice, and a flare of jealousy and anger ignited within her. It was all because of that woman, clearing her scars, daring to look beautiful, coming here just to seduce John. The thought fueled her rage as she stepped closer to Alice, her expression turning cold.

"Well, isn't it convenient for you," Sherlin murmured, her voice barely contained. "You walk back into our lives looking like this, thinking you're above everyone. But I'll remind you of your place, Alice."

She muttered to herself and with that thought in mind walked towards Alice