Back in Time to Fall for Him novel Chapter 18

The moment Madison finished speaking, Kaitlyn's expression shifted ever so slightly.

Madison was breaking up with Johnny. If that really happened, every ounce of effort Kaitlyn had poured into her years of scheming would come to nothing.

Kaitlyn forced out a brittle laugh. "Well, that's between you and Johnny. I'd rather stay out of it."

Before Madison could reply, Kaitlyn's gaze flicked past her, catching sight of a familiar store ahead. "Maddie, look. Your favorite boutique just launched its new collection! Let's go check it out."

She didn't wait for an answer. Her heels clicked briskly as she headed inside, eager to distract Madison.

Madison watched her hurry off as if chased by her own conscience. A faint, mocking smile touched her lips before she followed.

"Ms. Swanson, you're here! I was just about to call. You have to see our new arrivals."

The moment the sales assistant spotted Kaitlyn, she greeted her with exuberant warmth. Within seconds, several others had gathered around, ushering her toward the new-release section with eager smiles.

Compared to Kaitlyn's star-like reception, Madison, who trailed behind, received no attention at all. Not a single sales assistant attended to her.

But Madison didn't mind. Instead, she took it in with quiet amusement.

The brand had never appealed to her anyway. It was Kaitlyn who adored it and dragged her here each time they shopped.

Every purchase had been charged to Madison's card, yet Kaitlyn was always the one handing it over at the counter. Naturally, the staff assumed Kaitlyn was the wealthy young lady paying the bill and treated her accordingly.

Now, Madison wondered with quiet curiosity how Kaitlyn planned to keep up that act without her card to back it.

Across the room, one of the sales assistants eagerly presented a dress to Kaitlyn. "Ms. Swanson, take a look at this dress. It's a design by our chief designer and has even won the International Design Award. The cut suits your temperament perfectly. Would you like to try it on?"

As she listened to the sales assistant's pitch, Kaitlyn's eyes lit up at once.

The dress was a halter-neck in a gradient of violet that deepened from lilac to amethyst. It was daring yet elegant, its bold lines accentuating the fluid grace of a woman's figure.

She fell for it instantly. "Take it down for me. I'll try it on."

Hearing this, the sales assistant hurried to remove it from the display and was just about to lead her toward the fitting rooms when Madison approached.

Kaitlyn listened, and the irritation that had been simmering in her chest began to ease. She smiled again, adopting a gracious tone. "Forget it. If Maddie likes it, she can have it. Show me something else instead."

The sales assistants' tone flipped at once, showering her with compliments.

"Ms. Swanson, you're such a generous friend. You're always showering them with gifts."

"Yeah. Anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend."

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm her only friend. If I don't look out for her, who will?" Kaitlyn wore the face of a devoted best friend, but beneath it, pride simmered sweet and smug.

Madison might be the daughter of the Quinn family, yet she was still dancing in Kaitlyn's palm.

A while later, Madison stepped out of the fitting room. Kaitlyn was still across the store, surrounded by sales assistants, gesturing and giving orders as if she owned the place.

Madison didn't bother to interrupt. She simply crossed to the full-length mirror, her heels clicking lightly against the polished floor. As she reached up to smooth her hair, a ripple of surprised murmurs spread among the nearby shoppers.