Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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The next day, Troy was on a mission to seal a deal when he noticed a familiar duo ducking into SunRise Bank on Peace Avenue.
His driver barely had time to react as Troy barked, “Stop the car and jumped out.
Inside the bank, Troy’s eyes quickly found their mark–a corner where Lenore was deep in conversation with the CEO of SunRise Bank.
Beside her, a woman in light attire stood attentively.
Troy strode over, his voice echoing in the high–ceilinged space. Lenore, what are you doing here?”
Bonnie, the woman in light clothing, nearly jumped at the sound of his voice. When she spotted Troy, her face registered surprise, and she instinctively clutched Lenore’s arm.
Lenore, calm as ever, patted Bonnie’s hand to ease her, then met Troy’s gaze with a tilt of her head. Her eyes sparkled with at mix of defiance and amusement. “What else do you do at a bank?
Troy’s expression soured, and his voice became serious. “Where did the money come from?” What puzzled him most was why the bank manager was here, personally overseeing everything.
Lenore teased, her eyebrow arched high, “You worried I’m gonna run off with the family silver when I hit the big one–eight?”
Troy paused, recalling the previous night. He suppressed his anger, his face hardening. “You’re my child, Lenore. Act like it. If you tarnish the Smedley name or involve your sister, don’t expect mercy,” he warned, his voice tight.
Lenore responded with a cold, dry chuckle. “You need a bullhorn or something? To make sure everyone hears you loud and clear?” Her voice was laced with scorn.
Troy looked around, noticing a few onlookers who’d paused their transactions to eye them with interest.
Clamping down on his anger, he growled, “Keep your nose clean young lady!” He gave Bonnie, standing by Lenore’s side, a scornful glance before sweeping out with a flourish of his coat.
The bank manager, breaking the silence, addressed Lenore with a hint of reverence as he handed back her black card. “Ms. Smedley, you have four months and eight days remaining on your safe deposit box number 03 lease.”
Lenore mused, ‘Four months and eight days? That’s quite a stretch! She clicked her tongue and casually tucked the black card into her pocket.
After leaving the bank, Lenore and Bonnie headed to the mall.
With a playful grin, Lenore pinched Bonnie’s cheek and said, “Pick out whatever you want, Don’t hold back.” Her striking looks turned heads wherever they went.
Even though Bonnie had known Lenore forever, she felt her cheeks flush at the teasing. She touched her ear and whispered. “Can you stop teasing me? We’re in public, and it’s kind of embarrassing.”
Once inside the mall, they quickly became the center of attention. Lenore’s strong presence and cool demeanor kept most people at a distance; otherwise, she would have been bombarded with requests for her number.
20:25 Wed, Feb 5
Chapter 26
Bonnie, usually shy, followed Lenore into a high–end store, grateful that Lenore had eased up on the teasing for now.
From across the store, someone called out. “Hey, Esther, is that Bonnie? And is she with Lenore?”
Another one replied, confused, “What’s going on with Bonnie and Lenore hanging out together?”
The girls passing by the store stopped in their tracks, their expressions filled with surprise.
Esther glanced up and noticed two girls inside, chatting like they were old friends. She squinted in disbelief.
Bonnie was a prominent student at Greenvine High School, while Lenore, a newcomer for just two days, was in the lowest class. Esther couldn’t fathom how they had become friends so quickly.
Helen’s eyes narrowed with jealousy as she took in Lenore’s striking appearance. “Lenore’s from some small town, and her clothes look cheap. What’s she doing shopping in a fancy store? seriously doubt she can afford it,” she said.
Nearby, a little girl giggled, “Just looking doesn’t cost anything. She’s probably just pretending.”
Janet Duncan, who didn’t know the girls inside, frowned at their conversation. “Do you have an issue with them?” she asked, intrigued.
Janet, the beloved granddaughter of the Duncan family head, didn’t attend Greenvine High School but took dance classes with Esther, and they had become good friends. After class today they all decided to hang out together.
It was clear that everyone wanted to connect with the Duncan family, and the Smedleys were no exception.
