Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk (Williams and Shawn)

The woman standing before her was none other than Cindy. But she was nothing like the Cindy Allison remembered. In the past, Cindy was always dressed to the nines in designer suits or flowing silk dresses, with jewelry that sparkled just right. Her hair? Not a strand out of place. She was the epitome of a high-society socialite.

Today was a whole different story. Just as Joy had mentioned, Cindy was shockingly plain. No makeup, her face looked weary, her skin a bit dull, and shadows under her eyes told tales of sleepless nights. The simple light gray long- sleeve she wore made her blend into the crowd of everyday middle-aged women. The grandeur of Mrs. Reynolds was nowhere to be seen.

It was clear the Reynolds family had hit rock bottom. Even Cindy, who once lived for appearances and the latest fashion, had been stripped down to reality.

Allison couldn't help but let a small, satisfied smile play on her lips. It was about time.

She walked over to Cindy, slow and deliberate. Spotting her, Cindy practically sprinted to Allison, her urgency palpable. She reached out to grab Allison's arm, but Brooklyn was quick to step in and push her away.

Gone was the high-and-mighty Cindy, replaced by a woman pleading with humility. "Allison, please, save the Reynolds Group. Your family, the Owens, is the wealthiest in Oak Lake. If you could just invest in us, help us out, I'd do anything you ask!"

Allison chuckled, a soft, almost pitying sound. "Anything I ask?”

"Yes, yes," Cindy nodded desperately. "As long as I can, I'll do anything. We're really bankrupt now. My husband's stuck in the hospital from working too hard, and Shawn? He's drowning himself in booze. We're falling apart."

Allison gave Cindy a look that was both amused and mocking. "And what exactly can you do for me?"

Cindy was at a loss. What could she possibly offer Allison? She hadn't thought that far; all she felt was desperation.

"Maybe for Shawn's sake?" Cindy suggested, grasping at straws. "You two were together for three years. You loved each other once. Can you really stand by and watch him crumble like this?"

Bringing up Shawn only made

Allison smile wider, a mix of

t and something donet

"Mrs Reynolds," she called out, eyeing Cindy's worn-out face.

Cindy's face fell. The title "Mrs. Reynolds" felt like a slap now, a sharp reminder of past arrogance.

Allison's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Mrs. Reynolds, do you remember what you said to me when we first met?"

Cindy went pale. Oh, she remembered all right.

Back then, when

Kate had comenoveldrama

back from overseas, Cindy wanted her to marry Shawn. But when she found out Shawn had been seeing someone for three years—a girl with no fancy family or

no

way

connections-there was no she'd let her son marry such a person.

She had tracked Allison down, tearing into her with words meant to sting. "A girl like you, thinking you could marry into the Reynolds family?"

She saw Allison as a gold-digger, chasing after Shawn for his money, no matter how well she played the part. She spoke to Allison with an air of superiority.

"Don't pretend with me. I know exactly what you want. Shawn's quite the catch for someone like you. I bet he's spent a fortune on you."

"Stop playing coy. I've seen your kind. You all say you don't care, but if you didn't, why would you be with Shawn?"

"I'm here to tell you, not just anyone can get into the Reynolds family. You want to marry Shawn? Not a chance!"

"Kate's the daughter-in-law I've always imagined. Her family's been friends with ours for ages, and she's

Shawn's first love. You might as well pack up and leave, clear the way for Kate."

She had said so many things, all meant to put Allison in her place, to remind her

not to reach for what was beyond her grasp.