Lydia's brows lifted in mock surprise, and then she smirked. "Olaedo? Oh my God, I almost didn't recognize you." Her eyes trailed over Olaedo's outfit, chic but understated. "Still shopping for clearance items, I see."
Olaedo never saw the point in dressing extravagantly so Lydia mistook her low key dressing for financial instability.
Olaedo felt the sting of the jab but didn't flinch. "Still picking fights over things you can't have, I see," she replied smoothly.
Lydia gasped in mock offense, clutching the shoe to her chest like a trophy. "Oh, honey, you must be mistaken. I can have anything I want."
Adanna, who had just returned and noticed what was going on, stepped forward. "Lady, she picked that shoe first. Let it go."
Lydia's smirk widened as her gaze shifted to Adanna. "And who are you? Another one of Olaedo's little followers? How cute."
She turned back to Olaedo, her tone dripping with mock sympathy. "It must be hard for you, huh? Still single, still struggling, still trying to prove you're more than that little scandal of yours?"
The mention of the scandal sent a ripple through the store. A few nearby customers paused, pretending to examine handbags but clearly eavesdropping. The sales attendants glanced at each other nervously, unsure whether to intervene.
Olaedo's jaw tightened, but she kept her voice steady. "You're still stuck in the past, Lydia. Maybe you should focus on your own life instead of mine."
Lydia laughed a high, grating sound that echoed through the store. "Oh, I'm very focused on my life, thank you very much. Married to a billionaire whose company isn't going through financially troubles like yours, living in a mansion, wearing the finest things money can buy."
She waved the shoe in the air. "This? Just another piece for my collection. You, on the other hand…" Her eyes flicked to Olaedo's hand, noting the absence of a ring. "Still alone, I see. Or did you scare off another man?"
The murmurs among the bystanders grew louder.
"Isn't that Lydia Osakwe? She's married to that oil tycoon, right?"
"And that's Anozie Olaedo… wasn't there a big scandal with her a few months back?"
"Poor thing. Lydia's really giving it to her."
Olaedo felt the weight of the stares, the whispers, but she refused to look away. "You sound very proud of yourself, Lydia. Is your entire personality based on who you married?"
Lydia's smile faltered for a split second before she recovered. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, darling."
One of the sales attendants approached nervously, her eyes darting between the two women. "Um, excuse me, ma'am," she said, addressing Lydia. "Should I ring these up for you?"
"Absolutely," Lydia said, shoving the shoes into the attendant's hands. She shot Olaedo a triumphant look. "Better luck next time."
The attendant hesitated, glancing at Olaedo, who still stood with quiet composure. Before she could say anything, the store manager appeared, his demeanor calm but authoritative. He approached the group, nodding politely at both women.
"Ladies, I understand there's some confusion here," he said. His eyes flicked to Adanna, who stood there, watching the scene with narrowed eyes. Recognizing her immediately, the manager straightened. "Miss Olaedo selected the shoes first. As per store policy, they are hers."
"What?" Lydia's voice rose, shrill and indignant. "Do you know who I am? I could buy this entire store if I wanted to!"
"And yet, you can't buy these shoes," Olaedo said quietly, her tone cutting.
The crowd gasped.
Lydia's face turned red, but before she could retort, a deep voice cut through the tension.
"Lydia, what's going on here?"
All heads turned as a tall, broad shouldered man entered the store. Dressed in an expensive tailored suit, he exuded wealth and power. His handsome face broke into a charming smile as he approached Lydia.
"Darling, is everything okay?" he asked, placing a hand on her waist.
Olaedo felt her stomach churn. 'This must be Lydia's husband.'
"Of course, love," Lydia purred, her demeanor softening immediately. "Just a little misunderstanding. Nothing I can't handle."
But her husband wasn't paying attention. His eyes had landed on Olaedo, and for a moment, he seemed mesmerized.
"And who might this be?" he asked, his voice smooth.
"This," Lydia spat, "is Olaedo. An old… acquaintance."
Her husband extended a hand, his smile oozing charm. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Olaedo. I'm Kenneth Osakwe."
Olaedo hesitated before shaking his hand, his lingering gaze making her uncomfortable.
"Charmed, I'm sure," she said flatly.
Lydia noticed her husband's interest and bristled. "Kenneth, we were just leaving."
Kenneth ignored her. "Are you shopping for an event, Miss Olaedo? I would be happy to recommend some designers. My wife and I know all the best ones."
Olaedo gave him a tight smile. "I'm sure you do."
Lydia stepped in front of her husband, blocking his view. "Kenneth, let's go."
But before they could leave, Adanna spoke up, her voice ringing with authority. "Actually, Lydia, I would like a word with you."
Lydia turned, her expression smug. "And who are you?"
Adanna's lips curved into a cold smile. "I'm Arinze Adanna. And you're standing in my way."
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder. The Arinze name carried weight.
Lydia's smug expression froze, and her lips parted slightly as the weight of the name Adanna Arinze hit her like a truck. The Osakwes had riches, but the Arinze name carried not just riches but aristocratic power, especially among the elite circles Lydia desperately wanted to dominate.
"Arinze?" Lydia's voice faltered, her confidence flickering before she forced a brittle smile. "Ah, I've heard of your family. It's… quite prestigious."
Adanna's smile didn't waver, but her eyes gleamed with a dangerous edge. "I'm sure you have. But I would suggest you focus less on my family's prestige and more on how you're embarrassing yourself here."
A collective murmur rippled through the crowd. Some giggled behind their hands, enjoying the turn of events.
"Embarrassing myself?" Lydia snapped, trying to regain her composure. "Please, don't make me laugh. I was merely trying to claim what's rightfully mine."