CHAPTER 292: CHAPTER 292: GOOD DOGS DON’T BLOCK THE WAY

Fiona Dunn hesitated for a moment, then quickly took a few steps back. Seraphina Sinclair and Rosalie Quinn were standing just behind the clothing rack, out of view of the front checkout counter. They noticed Fiona suddenly return and curiously asked, "What’s wrong? Not satisfied with the clothes?"

"Yeah, I feel like something’s still not quite right. Maybe we should look around some more," Fiona nodded vigorously.

"But weren’t you just really happy with that dress? You praised it for a while, and now, in just a few seconds, you’re dissatisfied?" Rosalie, navigating the shopping trip in high heels, was starting to feel a bit sore and didn’t want to prolong the outing. She was eager to go home and relax.

Fiona clung to Rosalie’s arm while pulling Seraphina along with her other hand, "Come on, keep me company a bit longer. I really don’t want to embarrass myself at the auction tomorrow."

The two women were helpless against Fiona’s insistence and had to continue shopping with her.

The store wasn’t that big—divided into zones A, B, and C—and they had already browsed for several hours. Since Fiona remained unsatisfied, Seraphina called over a staff member to ask if there were any other custom designs available.

The staff member, always with a cheerful smile, explained to them, "Miss Sinclair, we primarily have standard designs here. We do have custom ones, but it’s impossible to receive them by tomorrow. Custom orders need at least a month’s advance reservation."

"Have you displayed all your styles here? Are there any that don’t sell well or you think might not be suitable?" Seraphina asked, noticing Fiona’s displeased expression with a hint of helplessness.

"I’m not entirely sure, but if you’re very interested, I can ask our manager for you," the staff politely responded.

Seraphina nodded slightly, "Sorry to trouble you."

Caught by Seraphina’s reproachful glance, Fiona looked down sheepishly, "Well, I just wanted a special dress this time. Always wearing the same styles is uninspiring."

Seraphina didn’t mind; she couldn’t quite fathom the whims of a young girl. Loving to wear beautiful clothes is a common trait among women, and Fiona’s fussiness couldn’t really be faulted.

But while Fiona spoke, her eyes caught sight of Nina Kerr coming their way with Desmond Fairchild. She became uneasy and patted Seraphina’s hand, suddenly enlightened, "I just remembered there’s a gown at home I haven’t worn yet. It’s pretty unique. Let’s go pay. I want to get home quickly to try it on."

Rosalie shot her an annoyed look, "Fiona, do you believe I’ll slap you dead? What on earth do you want? Why so troublesome?"

"I just suddenly remembered. Why so fierce?" With her main concern being to keep Seraphina and Desmond from running into each other, Fiona wasn’t in the mood to bicker with Rosalie. Once more, she ushered the two towards checkout.

But often, what one fears most is what happens.

Just as they approached the counter to pay, who would have guessed Nina and Desmond doubled back too, leaving the five of them awkwardly facing each other at checkout.

Particularly, Fiona was vexed, stomping her foot in frustration, muttering, "What’s going on? Could Nina have done this on purpose?"

In fact, her intuition was spot on.

Nina indeed did it deliberately.

She had already spotted Seraphina and her companions, so she purposefully maneuvered Desmond to run into Seraphina.

Not wanting Desmond to think she was too obvious, she used the same trick as Fiona, creating an encounter that appeared coincidental.

Whether Desmond realized it didn’t matter, but Seraphina finally understood why Fiona suddenly became so indecisive. Fiona must have seen them earlier and didn’t want her to run into them.

But what must come will come. Unless one of them dies, as long as they all live on Diamond Island and mix in the same circles, it’s tough not to cross paths.

Since Nina was verbally cast out of the White Family by Old Master White, her animosity with Seraphina was transparent, and she didn’t even bother pretending in public anymore. One more scandal wouldn’t make a difference to her lately.

So before Seraphina could speak, Nina addressed them directly, "What a coincidence, running into you here, dear sister. I assume you’re also heading to the charity auction tomorrow?"

"What’s it to you if we are?" Fiona, disliking Nina’s superior attitude, replied disdainfully. Her reputation was already tarnished, yet she dared to parade in public—shameless.

"After all, this is a charity auction hosted by my boyfriend’s grandmother. Isn’t it kind of inappropriate for a group of ex-girlfriends to attend?" Nina stood before them arrogantly, her posture claiming the role of the future Mrs. Fairchild.

Desmond, with his hands in his pockets, exuded a dignified elegance, seemingly uninterested in women’s quarrels.

But no one noticed his peripheral gaze fixed on Seraphina from the moment he saw her.

Seraphina frowned, not showing much change in her expression. Tugging Fiona gently, she said indifferently, "Let’s pay and leave."

"But...."

Fiona wanted to exchange a few more words with Nina, but since Seraphina preferred not to engage, she held back.

Seraphina had no interest in witnessing their affections, eager to leave.

Nina, however, blocked her way, "Leaving so soon, sister? Are you sure about your gown? Would you like to pick out two more, on Desmond’s tab?"

"Move." Seraphina’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

"And if I don’t?" Nina slightly raised her chin, looking at Seraphina with hatred.

"Good dogs don’t block the way. If you have any sense, you’ll get lost," Seraphina rarely cursed, but when she did, her tongue was sharp as Fiona’s.

Nina’s face changed at her words, her gaze turning fierce, "Seraphina Sinclair, are you still putting on airs as the lady of the house? Understand that I’m Desmond’s girlfriend now. Openly opposing me, spreading rumors about me, isn’t it just in hopes of Desmond breaking up with me and returning to you? But you’re mistaken; Desmond still loves me, while you are a thing of the past."

Seraphina pitied Nina, her chuckle low, "If you like him, cherish him. I’m not interested in fickle men. As for dealing with you, don’t give yourself too much credit—you’re not worth it."

"At the bottom of it, isn’t it jealousy? You might disregard me, but don’t you care about Desmond either? Stop deceiving yourself," Nina, understanding women well, refused to believe Seraphina was completely over Desmond. She sensed part of Seraphina’s antagonism stemmed from Desmond.

With that, she turned to cling to Desmond’s arm, leaning her head on his chest, appearing all delicate and clingy, "Regardless, Desmond is my boyfriend now. I hope you recognize your place, sister, and stop doing unnecessary things that cause misunderstandings."