Seeing that she was serious about leaving, Felix swallowed his frustration and tried to reason with her. “Linsey, you’re just saying all this to piss me off, right? Fine, I admit it. You got under my skin. Now, let’s stop this nonsense and go home.”
Without waiting for an answer, he reached out, grabbing her wrist forcefully.
Linsey recoiled instantly, yanking her arm free as if his touch was something vile. “Don’t touch me!” she snapped. “If you don’t stop harassing me, I’m calling the police!”
Her voice was sharp and clear, drawing the attention of the onlookers.
Excitement buzzed through the crowd.
“Are they really going to take this to the cops?”
“Oh wow, what’s happening?”
“That guy doesn’t look trustworthy. He gives off a domestic abuser vibe.”
Felix’s head snapped toward the man who made the comment, his glare sharp enough to cut.
The passerby flinched, pressing a hand to his chest as if to steady himself. “See? I told you! He’s got a violent streak!”
“Yeah, I agree. A total disgrace to men everywhere.”
“Wait, isn’t there another woman next to him? What’s her deal?”
“Isn’t it obvious? That’s his side chick.”
“A side chick and he’s chasing after another woman? What a sleazebag.”
“He probably just likes the pretty one more.”
As the murmurs grew louder, Felix’s face darkened with humiliation. Grinding his teeth, he pointed accusingly at Linsey and snapped, “Quit making up stories! She’s my girlfriend!”
Linsey shot back without hesitation, her voice ringing out loud and clear. “He’s lying! You’re all smart enough to see the truth. I have a husband. I came here today to buy clothes for him, and this man keeps blocking my way. He thinks I’m an easy target just because I’m alone!”
Her words ignited instant outrage among the crowd.
“Come over here! Don’t let him harass you!”
“What a creep, going after any pretty woman he sees. Absolutely disgusting.”
“Just call the cops, ma’am. We’ll back you up, and the store’s cameras have it all on tape.”
One after another, voices rose in agreement, condemning Felix without hesitation. His face burned with humiliation, and for once, he was at a complete loss for words.
Joanna couldn’t stay silent any longer as the onlookers’ remarks grew increasingly absurd. She felt the need to speak up for Felix.
“Everyone, you’ve got it all wrong. He’s not harassing this woman-they’re actually a couple,” she argued, her tone firm as she shot a disapproving look at Linsey. “She’s the one lying. The truth is, they held a wedding not too long ago.”
Linsey let out a sharp laugh, her expression icy. “You might want to watch what you say. You and this guy showed up together to block my way. And look at you, standing so close to him-if you’re claiming I’m his girlfriend, then what exactly are you to him?”
She arched an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. “Are you so devoted to him that you’re out here helping him chase after another woman? Or are you suggesting I take on the role of the mistress? Because from where I’m standing, it sure seems like that’s your job.”
The crowd, always hungry for juicy gossip, widened their eyes at the implication. Within moments, their judgmental gazes shifted toward Joanna.
“My, my. I knew something felt off about her-so she’s the other woman.”
“Oh, I get it now! This guy cheated on this gorgeous lady, and now he’s regretting it, so he’s here, begging for her back.”
“That’s exactly what’s happening! Just look at his guilty face.” People had seen enough real-life scandals to piece the story together in an instant. Some dramas were even juicier than fiction.
Joanna, stunned by how quickly Linsey had turned the crowd against her, burned with frustration. She wanted to fight back, but the flood of accusations left her flustered.
“Stop making things up! I’m not the other woman!” Joanna seethed.
“Yeah, yeah. That’s exactly what a side chick would say.”
“Seriously, what’s a young woman like you doing with someone else’s man?”
“I don’t get it. Why are you still clinging to him? He already dumped his ex, yet you’re still following him around, pestering this pretty lady. What’s the point? Just walk away already.”
One concerned shopper pulled out their phone and called mall security. “That’s enough. Security’s on the way.”
Within seconds, a group of uniformed guards rushed over, their presence instantly shifting the crowd’s energy.
The entrance had grown too crowded, disrupting the order of the mall. Since the guards couldn’t forcibly clear out innocent bystanders, they zeroed in on the source of the chaos-Felix and Joanna.
“Sir, it’s these two causing the commotion,” a woman reported eagerly, pointing at them. “They blocked this young lady’s way and tried to drag her off. Isn’t that attempted kidnapping?”
Felix’s patience snapped. His voice rose in frustration. “What the hell? Kidnapping? She’s my girlfriend!”
A man in the crowd snorted. “You liar. She already said she has a husband.”
Felix turned to Linsey, his jaw tightening as he growled, “Linsey, cut the act and tell them the truth. Or you’re going to regret this.”
The crowd erupted at his words, their outrage boiling over.
“Did you hear that?” someone shouted. “He just threatened her! What a scumbag! This is insane! Security, take him to the police! That’s the only way he’ll learn his lesson!”
“Yeah! We don’t need guys like that around! Get them out of here!”
The fury of the crowd gave Felix and Joanna no room to defend themselves. Before they could so much as protest, security, acting on the overwhelming complaints, swiftly stepped in and escorted them out of the mall.
Seeing Felix and Joanna finally escorted out in disgrace, Linsey exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing.
She turned to the bystanders who had defended her. Several older women offered her knowing looks and firm advice.
“Young lady, don’t go soft on that kind of man. Once a jerk, always a jerk.”
“That’s right. Married or not, never look back.”
“When you choose a partner, make sure you see him for who he really is before giving your heart away.”
Linsey forced a small, wry smile but nodded obediently. “I appreciate it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
As the crowd slowly dispersed, a warmth settled in her chest. The kindness of these strangers-people who had no reason to care-soothed the bitterness Felix and Joanna had left behind.
She had been an orphan her whole life. No parents had ever given her such words of wisdom.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.