Memories Drifted Like Paper Boats by Zyra Cole 10

Chapter 10 

Edwina picked up the file Leander had tossed on the floor and ped it open. 

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The assignment was to visa and research a chain clothing store called Maberly Fashion, located inside a major shopping mall owned by the Gibson Group, 

“Maberly Fashion,” Edwina murmured. 

It was an old brand, but in recent years, it had faded into obscury amidst the rise of fast fashion. 

“Till get started on the research right away, she replied without hesitation, not a hint of complaint in her voice 

Pauline Hudson, who’d just finished her makeup, turned and gave Edwina a once–over, clearly finding her interesting 

“Not many rookies come to a place like this and still have that mach drive,” she remarked. “But… honestly, it doesn’t really matter here.” 

Pauline knew she was a natural at sales, but even someone like her had ended up stuck in this dead–end place. 

She couldn’t leave until her contract ran out, and besides, she was pushing forty, married with kids; finding another job now wasn’t that easy. 

Edwina couldn’t care less about the research. She just wanted to get out of the office. 

Even with seventy–plus floors and all those departments, running into Kelvin was always a risk, and she definitely didn’t want that 

Spending more time out in the field was way safer, anyway. 

Edwina headed to the shopping mall and found the flagship store of Maberly Fashion. 

It was the weekend, and the mall was packed, but hardly anyone was going into Maberly Fashion. People just walked right past without even glancing inside. The sales staff looked just as uninterested as those three in the department 

Figures. If the bosses are slacking, the whole place just follows suit, Edwina thought. She walked into the store and introduced herself. 

The salesgirl nodded, clearly used to these pointless visits. She pulled out a thin sheet of paper. 

sy to check,” she sd. 

“Here’s this month’s sales figures. Should be easy 

Seriously, only five items sold? How could anyone have trouble checking that? Edwina couldn’t help but think. 

She looked at the numbers and thought, ‘No wonder everyone the department acts so dead–business here is just as lifeless. 

Just as Edwina was snapping photos of the sales sheet, a snarky ice called out from the doorway. 

“Well, look who it is, my dear sister. Weren’t you making such a big scene when you left the Lennox family a few days ago? Now you’re slumming it in a dying store?” Ablay sneered. 

Ably strutted into Maberly Fashion, decked out in designer closes and over–the–top makeup, chin held high in pure arrogance, shooting Edwina a look of pure disclaim. 

She glanced at Edwina’s brooch, snatched the report right out of her hands, and read loudly, “Market Researcher, Edwina Lennox 

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Chapter 10 

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She balled up the paper and stomped on it twice. “Seriously? Veitch the Lennox family and end up scraping by with some bottom–feeder gig All those fan y cars and jewelry you showed Ret they were just rentals, hule 

“Edwina, how much did you blow on all that? Maxed out your clit cards just to look fancy, huh? Now you’ve ended up working here just to make ends meet?” 

Abby’s grin got even wider. “Tell you what. Beg me, and I’ll toss you some money to help you out of your mess. How abeaut 

Edwma just stood there, cool as ice, watching Abby like she was one circus act. The calmer Edwina looked, the crazier Abby. 

seemed 

Abby got even more riled up. She’d always hated that calm, superior look on Edwina’s face, ever since they were little 

Seriously? She’s dressed in rags and still acts all high and mighty in front of me? Who does she think she is she furned. 

Abby swung her hand, aiming for Edwina’s face, but before she could land the slap, someone caught her wrist mid–air 

“Please leave. You’re not welcome here, a woman said, her toney and commanding. 

Edwina turned and recognized her instantly; it was Pauline, the woman she’d seen in the office earlier. 

Now, Pauline was dressed in a sharp business suit and high heels radiating confidence–a far cry from the casual office worker Edwina had met that morning- 

Abby was fuming, her voice rising. “Do you even know who I am 

“Abby Lennox, eldest daughter of the Lennox family,” Pauline replied, cool and unfazed 

Edwina hesitated for a moment, genuinely surprised that even knowing Abby’s identity. Pauline would still step in to defend her. 

‘Figures. Only someone this blunt and no–nonsense would get dumped in a department where everyone’s just coasting Edwina thought. 

“You know exactly who I am, and you still dare to talk back to me Believe it or not, if I get my parents involved, with just a snap of their fingers, this sorry excuse for a store will be history! Abby shrieked, her face flushed with fury. 

Edwina’s gaze turned cold at those words. 

Pauline backed me up now. Nobody can touch Maberly Fashion from now on, Edwina thought. // 

She shook her phone, tapped the screen, and played Abby’s trade back, word for word. 

She stepped forward, her voice cold as ice. “So this is what you call a ‘lowly jobs‘? 

“If Im not mistaken, the Lennox family got its start with a dollatore, and you still own plenty just like it. What do you think your employees would say if they heard their so–called process looking slown on them like this? 

“Working for the big bosses and still getting called “lowly‘? Abby you really handle it if all your employees go on strike and rise up against you?” 

Abby froze in place. She’d never seen Edwina look an downright timidating before. 

If it weren’t for Grandpa always shielding her, Edwina wouldn’t ave lasted a day back in the Lennox family. But now. What the hell happened to her? She’s like a whole different person. Ally thought, her mind reeling. 

She was shoved out of the store, stammering but refusing to swallow her pride. “Fine, I’ll let you off this time, Edwina. Guess leaving the Lennox family made you think you’re all grown up w 

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Chapter 10 

Just you wait and seel” she spat, her voice shaking with fury 

Abby’s face was twisted with rage as she was shovel out of the stere. Just then. Desmond finished parking and walked in. catching Edwina totally owning Abby in front of everyone. 

Even though Edwina was just wearing a plain T–shirt and sweatpants, her delicate, almost ethereal beauty still made guys stop and stare. 

But it was her vibe that really got to people. Ever since she left the Lennox family and got outed as some nobody, she’d only gotten more stunning, like she was the real deal, a true heiress 

Plus, word was she had ties to Brewer Apothecary. For a moment Desmond found himself unable to look away. 

As soon as Abby saw Desmond, she immediately started whining clinging to him like a kitten. Putting on her most pitiful voice, she said. “Desmond, Edwina’s working in a place like this. tried to help her out, even offered her money, but she yelled at me and treated me horribly.” 

Desmond smiled gently, slipping his arm around Abby’s shoulders to comfort her. 

“It’s alright, sweetheart. Don’t let her bother you. I set up a little surprise for you in the parking lot. Want to go check it out?” he said softly. 

“Love you so much, Desmond.” Abby purred, planting a kiss on his cheek and shooting Edwina a triumphant look, raising her eyebrows as if to declare “He’s mine now.” 

He used to be yours, but now he’s at my beck and call, doing everything for me, she thought, her smugness practically radiating off her. 

Abby spun around and walked off, her head–held high, absolutely certain that Desmond showing up and showering her with attention would really get under Edwina’s skin. 

But as Edwina watched the two of them all over each other, the only thing she felt was pure disgust. 

Once Abby disappeared around the corner, Desmond stepped up, reaching for Edwina’s hand, but she pulled back before he could touch her, cool as ever. 

Desmond didn’t even flinch. He just acted all caring, like nothing awkward had happened. 

“Edwina, is it true what Abby said? Are you really working here?” he asked, sounding all gentle and concerned. 

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