Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Chapter 31 – Framed by Someone

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Samantha stopped in her tracks. It was indeed easier to cross paths with your enemies. Once again, she met Penelope.

Penelope did not appear as bedraggled and ridiculous as she did that day. Instead, she was wearing the latest suit-dress from Chanel, paired with Tiffany & Co’s limited edition bracelet, and carrying the classic crocodile Hermes bag. 

She looked highly arrogant.

An older lady was standing next to Penelope, dressed in a more expensive outfit than Penelope, appearing more elegant and luxurious than her.

Samantha had seen the lady before on Nancy’s birthday, but only from afar, and she knew that the woman was Penelope’s mother, Violet.

Since Samantha was not interested in the mother-daughter duo, she quickly averted her gaze and walked directly to the counter.

“I’m here to take the herbs I ordered,” Samantha informed the staff. Then, she took out a receipt from her bag and handed it to her.

The staff took a look at the receipt, and after confirming it, she said, Please wait for a while, Ms. Larsson. I’ll get the herbs over.

“Sure.”

As she was waiting, Samantha took out her phone and simply scrolled through.

Soon, she heard the click-clack sound of high heels approaching her. Then, Penelope’s malicious voice rang, “Hey, Samantha. What a coincidence!”

Samantha did not cast a glance at Penelope. It was as if she was nothing. 

Obviously, Penelope could not stand seeing Samantha so rude, and she was instantly filled with rage. “Samantha, are you deaf? Can’t you hear that I’m talking to you?”

Samantha smiled and looked up, but she pretended to be puzzled. Then, instead of answering Penelope, she questioned, “There’s someone… talking to me? Why do I only hear an annoying fly buzzing by my ear!”

Hearing that, Penelope gritted her teeth in rage. “Samantha! How dare you call me a fly!”

Samantha did not hold back and sneered.

Truth be told, Samantha had never seen a scum like Penelope. She knew that she was not a match against Samantha, yet she still knocked on her door. 

It was a knockout!

Handling such an idiot was like child’s play.

“You dare to laugh at me?” Penelope raised her hand. “Samantha, I must tear your filthy mouth today!”

As soon as she said that, her fingers ruthlessly aimed at Samantha’s cheek.

Naturally, Samantha was not afraid of Penelope. However, just as she was about to dodge Penelope, a hand suddenly appeared and grabbed Penelope’s arm, stopping her.

Samantha was surprised, and she turned to look at the person.

Now, she was even more baffled.

It was Violet!

When Penelope saw that it was Violet, she was stunned too. She did not expect that her mother would not help her, and she even blocked her! Penelope appeared somewhat aggrieved and cried out, “Mommy, why did you stop me!”

Was she not supposed to help her hit Samantha, that b*tch?

Then, Violet scolded Penelope, “Why are you causing a scene! I saw that you started it, and now you want to hit her? You’re a daughter from an influential family, so what is with this behavior!”

Penelope was feeling indignant from the scolding. “Mommy! Whose side are you on?”

Violet ignored her and turned to Samantha, showing her an apologetic smile. “Ms. Larsson, I spoiled Penelope, so let me apologize on her behalf. I’m sorry about that.”

Samantha did not know Violet, but she heard before that Violet had an excellent reputation among the upper-class. Moreover, she was well-educated, sensible, kind, and generous. Meeting her for the first time, it seemed that the rumor was true.

Nonetheless, Violet was so friendly and even apologized on Penelope’s behalf. Besides, she was also an elder, so Samantha showed her respect and smiled faintly. “It’s alright.”

At this time, the staff came and passed the herbs to Samantha.

After checking that everything was fine, Samantha thanked the staff and turned around to leave.

However, just as she walked out the entrance, the loud and sharp alarm rang, shocking everyone.

 Then, a staff member shouted, “There’s a thief!”

The guard in the store was quick to react. He hurried toward Samantha, who was standing by the door and grabbed her hand. “You stole something, yet you want to run?”

Everything happened too suddenly, and Samantha blinked her eyes a few times. Then, finally, she realized that she was accused of being the thief?

Since her conscience was clear, Samantha was not afraid. Instead, she shook off the guard’s hand and walked into the store. After that, she stood still in front of the staff and asked her, “What did I steal?”

The staff was stunned as she did not expect Samantha to be so calm and imposing. Soon, she stuttered, “Our… Our store’s thousand-year ginseng collection. Just now, it was there on the counter, and it was still there when you came. However, it disappeared once you wanted to leave. If you’re not the thief, then who can it be?”

Thousand-year ginseng? Samantha was not even aware of that. “I didn’t see it, nor am I the thief!”

“This is so hilarious!” Penelope suddenly mocked, “Which thief will admit they’re the thief? Of course, you won’t admit it!”

Then, she turned to look at the staff and suggested, “Why are you still arguing with the thief? She has not left the store yet, so the thousand-year ginseng must still be with her. You’ll find out with a search.”

“Ms. Schimdt, you’re right.” Soon, the staff winked at the guard.

The guard walked forward and grabbed Samantha’s bag rudely. He opened the zipper and tossed the items inside onto the counter.

Soon, a wooden box appeared in front of everyone.

The staff took the wooden box and opened it, showing the thousand-year ginseng inside. “Ms. Larsson, are you still denying it?”

Seeing this, Penelope’s ridicule became louder. “Samantha, are you this poor? It’s just a thousand-year ginseng, and you want to steal it? Goodness…”

Penelope’s words caused the crowd to murmur.

“Samantha used to be a socialite, but now she ended up becoming a thief? It’s so embarrassing.”

“Do you think the actress in those obscene pictures and videos is actually her? She seems as if she’s willing to do anything for money.”

“Just look at how calm she is! She’s so shameless. If it were me, I’d want to dig a hole and hide!”

There was no emotion in Samantha’s expression, and she swept her gaze across the crowd. In the end, her line of sight fell on Penelope and Violet’s faces.

If she still could not tell that this was a setup, then she was really too naive.

It was no coincidence that she met Penelope and Violet that day. In fact, they had been waiting for her.

Penelope deliberately picked a quarrel with Samantha, and Violet came to the “rescue” just to avert her attention. Then, they could sneakily place the herb in her bag.

Then, she would be caught red-handed, leaving her no way to argue! 

This was such a grand scheme!

The staff called the police, and they soon arrived. After learning of the situation, the police went to Samantha and said, “Ms. Larsson, please follow us back to the police station..”