Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Upon hearing the chatter, the group of high-society ladies glanced down from their cozy perch to the department store below, where a girl was leisurely shopping. Her demeanor was cool and collected, with an air of effortless charm that was hard to ignore. Camille's eyes flashed with a hint of mischief. Earlier, she had faced some embarrassment and was eager to redirect her frustration. Flora had unknowingly walked right into her scheme. "Mrs. Falcone, aren't you going to invite your daughter-in-law up for a little chat?" Camille suggested with a sly smile.

Before Amanda could utter a word, Camille had already dispatched a servant to bring Flora upstairs. She seemed almost too eager, as if she were anticipating a dramatic show.

...

Downstairs, Flora had just wrapped up her shopping and was about to head out. "Ms. Flora, our lady would like to see you upstairs," a servant informed her politely.

Flora glanced up, spotting Amanda and the gathering of high-society women. Assuming it was Amanda who had extended the invitation, she nodded after a brief moment of contemplation.

"Ah, Ms. Flora has graced us with her presence at last," Camille quipped sarcastically as Flora walked in. "Mrs. Falcone, didn't you say Flora was swamped? Looks like she's got plenty of time for shopping."

The other ladies were growing weary of Camille's jabs. What was so wrong with a young woman enjoying a shopping spree? It wasn't any of Camille's business. But having just accepted gifts, they held their tongues.

"My daughter-in-law's schedule isn't the issue here, but Camille, you sure seem to have a lot of time on your hands," Amanda replied with a polite smile that didn't reach her eyes, which carried a cold intensity and the unmistakable grace of her noble lineage. "With Mr. Bell always away and Hunter rarely home, you must have plenty of time to yourself."

Amanda's words hit hard, leaving Camille visibly unsettled.

"Those sachets you're holding..." Flora's gaze landed on the sachets clutched by Camille and her friends, her brow furrowing slightly.

"These are handcrafted by Féraphine herself!" Camille boasted, her confidence returning with a sharp laugh. "I hear you're a perfumer too. Surely, you've heard of Féraphine?"

"Oh, then you've been duped. They're fakes," Flora replied coolly.

And, it turned out, she was right. They had indeed purchased fakes.

"The sachets you're holding contain nothing more than common fragrances, neither beneficial nor harmful. But you, madam-" Flora directed her attention to a woman in a blue dress, "shouldn't use this You're pregnant, and there's an ingredient in the sachet that can be harmful during pregnancy. Wearing it long-term could cause complications."

Startled, the woman instinctively tossed the sachet away. Seeing Flora's confidence, the expressions of the other ladies darkened. Had they really spent a fortune on counterfeit goods? "Flora, don't talk nonsense if you don't know what you're saying! Accusing me of buying fakes? Prove it!" Camille snapped, her anger rising. There was no way she had been deceived!

Camille felt cornered, like a cat with its tail stepped on. "I bought it directly from Féraphine! He gave it to me personally! Do you even know who Féraphine is?" "Actually, I do," Flora responded calmly. "I'm quite familiar with Féraphine."

"You?" Camille sneered.

The notion seemed preposterous to Camille. She knew all about Flora's background. Without Connor's influence Flora wouldn't stand a

chance on Lone Island. Camille net

assumed Flora was bluffing, which suited her just fine. She was

determined to see Flora

الله

embarrassed.

She quickly sent a text and, upon receiving a reply, couldn't hide her satisfaction. Turning to Flora, she lifted her chin with a smug grin. "You claim to know Féraphine, right? Well, it just so happens that Féraphine is nearby and will be here soon! Do you dare to meet him?"