\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 146 The Frozen Account\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a heavy, meaningful sigh, Melinda finally confessed, \u201cScarlett, when I passed by the gynecology ward earlier today, I think I saw Vincent there.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
85\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett paused only briefly in her movements, but responded with remarkable calmness, \u201cI see. Thank for telling me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
you\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melinda couldn\u2019t contain herself any longer, the words tumbling out in an angry rush. \u201cBut he wasn\u2019t alone! He was with a woman, and they looked extremely close, walking arm in arm. They were laughing and chatting intimately, completely absorbed in each other like a proper couple in love.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett immediately knew exactly who the woman must be, yet maintained her composed facade, not allowing even a flicker of emotion to show on her face. \u201cThank you. I understand the situation completely.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Noting Scarlett\u2019s detached reaction, Melinda couldn\u2019t help pressing further, her voice filled with concern. \u201cScarlett, are you truly alright with this?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett replied evenly, as if discussing the weather, \u201cHer name is Sabrina Winters. She\u2019s the woman Vincent has loved most for years, long before I entered the picture. Melinda, the real loser in any relationship is always the one who isn\u2019t loved.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melinda grew increasingly frustrated on Scarlett\u2019s behalf. \u201cBut regardless of history, you\u2019re his legal wife! That woman, behaving so familiarly with a married man-how is she any different from a homewrecker? She should know her place!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett let out a bitter laugh that held no humor. \u201cTo be perfectly honest, in Vincent\u2019s eyes, I\u2019m probably the actual third wheel here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melinda suddenly felt a wave of helplessness wash over her. She didn\u2019t know what else to say that wouldn\u2019t cause Scarlett more pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a prolonged silence filled with unspoken sympathy, she finally changed the subject to something safer. \u201cHow\u2019s your health been since\u2026 everything? Have you fully recovered now, both physically and emotionally?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett managed a faint, unconvincing smile that didn\u2019t reach her eyes. \u201cYes, I\u2019m doing quite well now. Don\u2019t worry about me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melinda finally relaxed slightly. \u201cGood. If you ever hurt yourself again over a man who doesn\u2019t appreciate you, it simply wouldn\u2019t be worth it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett merely offered another faint, strained smile and said nothing more, the silence speaking louder than words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
14:42 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 146 The Frozen Account\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finisfied\u00a0<\/p>\n
After lunch, Scarlett ensured Vanessa took her prescribed afternoon nap, tucking her in with careful hands. Once Vanessa woke up refreshed, she took her to the neighborhood playground for some much-needed outdoor time and sunshine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Around five o\u2019clock, Melinda called to announce she was nearly at their prearranged meeting point.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett promptly dropped Vanessa back home with Lily, changed into fresh clothes quickly, and headed out the door without delay.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She picked up Melinda from the bustling train station and took her to an upscale restaurant for an early dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Throughout the meal, Melinda continued venting about Vincent\u2019s behavior. Scarlett simply listened with a quiet, fixed smile, clearly disengaged from the topic and merely humoring her friend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After dinner, they went shopping together at an elegant department store.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett helped Melinda select two professional outfits for her conference, offering thoughtful advice, but somehow found herself drifting almost unconsciously toward the children\u2019s section, drawn by some deep maternal pull.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All those tiny dresses and little tops on miniature hangers were so adorable she couldn\u2019t resist browsing through them, her fingers gently touching the delicate fabrics.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even though Vanessa currently seemed to despise her, Scarlett\u2019s maternal instincts still drew her irresistibly toward the beautiful children\u2019s clothing, imagining how sweet Vanessa would look in them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once properly inside the section, surrounded by miniature fashion, she selected numerous outfits for Vanessa, holding each piece up critically before adding it to her growing pile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watching Scarlett\u2019s focused selection process, Melinda couldn\u2019t help commenting with a sigh, \u201cYou\u2019re so completely devoted to your daughter. Maybe you should redirect some of that energy toward yourself occasionally.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett smiled softly, a genuine expression of maternal love. \u201cThis might be a one-time opportunity to do this for her. Who knows when I\u2019ll get to shop for her like this again if things continue as they are?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unable to argue with that sad reality, Melinda simply accompanied her patiently through the aisles, occasionally holding up an outfit for approval.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After filling several luxurious shopping bags with their selections, Scarlett finally announced she was ready to check out, looking satisfied with her purchases.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
14:42 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 146 The Frozen Account\u00a0<\/p>\n
85\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
The sales clerk tallied the items meticulously and announced with a professional smile, \u201cThat will be eighty-eight thousand dollars altogether, Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett froze momentarily at the amount but didn\u2019t question it aloud, having grown accustomed to the prices in this exclusive boutique.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She knew this particular children\u2019s section carried exclusively luxury brands-excellent quality but notoriously expensive, catering to the city\u2019s wealthiest families.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back when she and Vanessa had been closer, she\u2019d shopped here frequently for special occasions. Sometimes spending a few thousand on a single outfit, sometimes over ten thousand per visit when she got carried away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Price had never been an issue before, not with Vincent\u2019s generous allowances.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moreover, Vincent had provided her with a dedicated bank card specifically for Vanessa\u2019s expenses and transferred substantial funds into it monthly without fail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Initially, careful with money, she\u2019d checked the balance regularly, but Vincent\u2019s transfers were always more than generous-sometimes reaching a million dollars, far exceeding what she could possibly spend on children\u2019s clothing and toys.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eventually, grown accustomed to the abundance, she\u2019d stopped monitoring the balance altogether, trusting the funds would always be there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melinda was startled by the total but then reasoned silently. Well, she is Vincent\u2019s wife after all, and this is their only child. Of course they\u2019d use only premium products.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett retrieved her black card from her purse and handed it to the clerk with practiced ease. \u201cThe PIN is 990824,\u201d she provided automatically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The clerk swiped the card through the payment terminal with a smooth motion, but the machine emitted an abrupt, jarring beep that echoed in the quiet boutique. \u201cTransaction declined. Please try alternative payment method.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing the unexpected alert, Scarlett stood completely stunned, her hand still extended where she\u2019d offered the card.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The clerk recognized Scarlett as a regular VIP customer familiar with her substantial spending patterns, yet the card had genuinely failed. She appeared equally surprised and slightly embarrassed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melinda looked completely bewildered, glancing between her friend and the declined card. \u201cWhat\u2019s happening? Is there some mistake?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The clerk inspected the card again carefully and explained to Scarlett in a hushed, apologetic\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
14:42 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
85\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 146 The Frozen Account\u00a0<\/p>\n
tone, \u201cMs. Theron, your card appears to have been frozen or suspended.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett frowned in genuine confusion. \u201cHow is that possible?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
The clerk double-checked the terminal display and confirmed with growing discomfort, \u201cMs. Theron, the card has definitely been frozen by the issuing bank.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett remained motionless, shocked into silence for a long moment before finally instructing the clerk in a strained voice, \u201cCould you please hold these items for me for a short while? I need to make an urgent phone call to sort this out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With that, she grabbed Melinda\u2019s arm firmly and hurried out of the children\u2019s section.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once they reached the relative privacy of the emergency stairwell, Scarlett didn\u2019t hesitate-she immediately dialed Vincent\u2019s number with trembling fingers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had anticipated difficulty reaching him, but to her complete surprise, he answered instantly on the second ring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Has Vanessa fallen ill again?\u201d Vincent\u2019s voice carried immediate, genuine concern the moment the call connected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.1K\u00a0<\/p>\n
W\u00a0<\/p>\n
4\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
14:42 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 146 \u00a0 Chapter 146 The Frozen Account\u00a0 After a heavy, meaningful sigh, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27510","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27510"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27510\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}