Chapter 10: Does It Still Hurt?

Luna greeted Madam Burton with a radiant smile. "Good day, Madam." Madam Burton responded with a grunt, offering no courtesy in return. Feeling awkward, Luna tried to lighten the mood. "Madam. I'm here to see my sister," she said. The mere sight of anyone from the Hampton family irritated Madam Burton; Luna was no exception. She couldn't help but remember how the Hamptons had cheated her out of three billion and sent her a simple-minded girl. She wanted to kick Luna out immediately. "Elodie, help me back to my room," Madam Burton commanded coldly. "Yes, Madam," Elodie said, assisting Madam Burton back to her room. Luna was inwardly delighted. With Madam Burton gone, she could bully Stace! She entered the dining room and fixed her gaze on Stacey. Stacey was having an edible bird's nest porridge breakfast, surrounded by other lavish and exquisite dishes. Luna felt a surge of irritation. Stacey didn't deserve such a breakfast! She was more suited to stale bread and watered-down soup. "Stacey," Luna said, her teeth gritted, "you ruined my umbrella yesterday. Did you know that?" Stacey blinked innocently. "I didn't ruin your umbrella, Luna." "You dare deny it!" Luna glared at her. Stacey trembled. "I didn't. I ruined the monkey's umbrella." "The monkey you're talking about is me!" Luna shouted. A glint flashed in Stacey's eyes, and she said quietly, "Oh, you're the monkey?" Realizing she had been humiliated, Luna tried to slap Stacey. Stacey quickly stood up, and Luna's slap landed on the back of the chair, causing her to wince in pain. "Monkey, it is you," Stacey said, her tone exasperatingly calm. "I remember now." Luna was fuming. "You dare, Stacey!" Before Luna could finish her sentence, the doorbell rang. Elodie emerged from Madam Burton's room, and Luna quickly pretended nothing had happened. Elodie opened the door to four people dressed professionally. "We're here to deliver clothes for Mrs. Burton," the one in charge said. Elodie nodded. "Deliver them to the second floor." The team moved a collection of the latest season's clothes, shoes, bags, and other items upstairs. Luna watched with envy. Were all those for Stacey? Had the Burton family lost their minds, treating this simple-minded girl so well? The person in charge turned to Luna, mistaking her for Conor's delicate wife, and greeted her respectfully. Luna felt a surge of vanity. Despite the rumors that Conor was harsh on his fiancé, suffered poor health, and had a volatile temper, women from all around Zephyria were still drawn to him like moths to a flame. Conor was a symbol of power and prestige. To marry him meant living a life of unparalleled luxury. It was like Stacey, who now had access to outfits that even the most elite women of Zephyria could only dream of. Unique, limited-edition pieces would likely find their way into her wardrobe. Luna had never felt such a profound envy towards another woman, especially one as plain and fool as Stacey! After the delivery team left, the leader even gave Luna a second glance, making a mental note to invite her to visit their store to avoid any awkwardness. Once Elodie saw off the delivery team and disappeared to tend to her other tasks, Luna saw her chance. When Elodie was out of sight, Luna tugged at Stacey, "Take me to your room. I want to see!" Aware of Luna's insatiable greed, Stacey guessed that Luna was eyeing her new clothes. Pretending not to notice, she led Luna upstairs. The clothes had been carefully arranged in her walk-in closet by Elodie. Conor's clothing was all black and white, while the clothes prepared for her were a riot of colors. The stark contrast created an odd sense of harmony. Luna was consumed with envy as she looked at the limited-edition clothes. She had assumed they were just regular designer clothes, not realizing they were limited edition items usually seen only in magazines! Why should someone as unattractive and simple-minded as Stacey get to wear these extraordinary pieces? Luna, with her radiant beauty, was the one who deserved them! Luna was itching to try on every piece, but she knew she couldn't possibly steal all of them, especially with Madam Burton downstairs. "Stacey. You have so many clothes. You can't possibly wear them all. How about your younger sister helps you out and wears some?" Luna suggested a sly grin on her face. Stacey nodded, setting off a surge of joy in Luna. She quickly tried on two limited edition coats, admiring herself in the mirror as she boasted, "I'm so beautiful. How can I be this gorgeous!" Stacey rolled her eyes inwardly. Where did Luna get all this self-confidence from? Just then, a voice echoed from downstairs, "Mrs. Burton. Elodie asked me to inform you that the young master will be home for lunch." "Understood," Stacey replied. Upon hearing that Conor was coming home for lunch, Luna was ecstatic. This was perfect. She could choose a beautiful outfit and show Conor what a natural beauty looked like! She glanced at Stacey, "Stacey. Go to my car and bring the bag inside. Remember. Don't let Madam Burton see it. Understood?" Stacey nodded, her expression as vacant as ever. "Don't you dare open it and peek!" Luna added. "Ok," Stacey nodded. With that, she turned around and left. Unable to control her excitement, Luna quickly stripped off her clothes and started trying on the designer pieces. Stacey watched from outside, a cold smile playing on her lips. Then she left. After a while, Stacey returned with the bag, carrying a cup of juice in her other hand, "Here you go, sister." Luna was surprised to find Stacey thoughtful enough to bring her a drink. She was thirsty from all the excitement and, without a second thought, grabbed the cup and started gulping down the juice. She loved and wanted to keep every piece of clothing she tried on. She decided to take a few with her when she left and deal with the rest next time. After finishing her drink, Luna suddenly felt her head spinning, and then she collapsed onto the floor with a thud. Stacey walked over with a frosty smirk, squatted down next to Luna, and lightly patted her face, "If you're so eager to make a spectacle of yourself. I'm happy to oblige. Let's see who truly brings shame to our family." She then shifted her gaze to the bag Luna had brought. An hour later. Conor returned home. Exiting his car, he saw Stacey squatting in the yard, digging in the mud. "What are you doing?" He asked, walking over. "Earthworms," Stacey replied, holding a small shovel and digging for earthworms. Conor looked at the lawn, now full of holes from Stacey's digging, but he didn't reprimand her. Instead, he asked, "And why are you digging for earthworms?" "Fishing," Stacey answered. Fishing? "Fine, clean your hands, and let's eat," Conor said, his eyes landing on her slender, fair neck, "Does it still hurt?"