Chapter 549

Preston Valentine couldn't stand watching any longer and reached out to take the bags.

"Forget it, I'll carry them. Susan, since when do you have a cleanliness obsession? I never knew that."

Susan Langley pouted.

"Preston, how much do you really know about me? You've never cared about me!"

She turned the accusation back on him. Preston's brow furrowed slightly.

"Is that so?"

Susan feigned hurt.

"Of course! I've always had a cleanliness thing, you were just too careless to notice. You better remember that! The bridal shop is almost here, let's hurry!"

She tugged Preston forward.

Joanna Sterling watched their retreating figures, anger simmering inside her.

Her eyes darted. She quickened her pace and caught up.

"Miss Langley, excuse me!"

Susan and Preston stopped and turned to look at her.

Susan frowned.

"What is it?"

Joanna clutched her stomach.

"I suddenly have an urgent need for the restroom. Could you hold these for me, please?"

As she spoke, she shoved the bags toward Susan's hands.

Susan didn't want to take them, but Joanna grabbed her hand without waiting for a refusal and transferred all the bags over.

Susan grew flustered.

"Let Preston carry them, you—"

Joanna cut her off.

"Fifth Young Master is of noble status, how could he carry bags? It's better if you do it! And... they're really not heavy at all, truly!"

The moment the words left her mouth, Joanna immediately let go.

The full weight of the bags instantly bore down on Susan's wrists.

Susan gasped in shock. Her hands dropped sharply, the weight pulling her down so hard she almost squatted to the ground.

Thud!

The bags hit the floor with a heavy sound.

Joanna pretended to be surprised.

"Miss Langley, what happened? You can't even hold these little things? That's so careless!"

Susan snapped angrily.

"You call this 'not heavy'? These two bags together are almost a hundred pounds!"

Preston was taken aback. He stepped forward and tried to lift the bags.

He nearly failed to pick them up.

Only then did Preston realize how heavy the things Joanna had been carrying actually were.

He looked at Joanna in astonishment, then turned a puzzled gaze to Susan.

"You said they weren't heavy?"

Susan was speechless.

"...I... I didn't know either, I thought they were light. Joanna, why didn't you say they were so heavy? If I'd known, I wouldn't have bought so much..."

Joanna gave a slight, mocking smile.

"Hah, because for a Sterlingny like me, they really aren't that heavy. Miss Langley, do you really not even have that much strength?"

Susan's face paled with rage.

This infuriating woman!

She took a deep breath and pointed at the things on the ground.

"Joanna, regardless, the items were damaged while in your hands. You have to pay for them!"

Joanna wore an innocent expression.

"Miss Langley, what are you talking about? The things clearly fell from your hands. If you don't believe me, ask Fifth Young Master!"

Susan immediately looked at Preston.

"Preston, you tell her!"

Preston felt a headache coming on.

Susan never got along with his little sister at home, and now she was clashing with Joanna...

He said helplessly.

"Susan, the things are probably fine, just the bags touched the ground. If you're worried, you can disinfect them when you get back."

Susan gritted her teeth in anger.

Why did Preston always side with Joanna?

Joanna seized the opportunity.

"That's right, Miss Langley. Okay, I really need to use the restroom now. Please wait for me a moment!"

With that, she slipped away.

Around the corner, Joanna stopped, shaking her sore arms.

This Susan Langley was truly malicious.

No wonder Miss Evelyn disliked her...

Joanna cursed inwardly. Estimating enough time had passed, she walked back.

Preston was trying to reason with Susan.

"The Valentines' servants are people too. Our family never mistreats servants. Susan, you should treat Joanna better from now on. She's also someone's daughter..."

Susan lowered her head.

"Preston, I understand. I thought Sterlingnies were just for doing chores... I really didn't realize these things were so heavy."

She bent down to try lifting the bags again but couldn't muster the strength.

Preston sighed. He exerted himself to lift the bags and handed half to Joanna, who had just returned.

"Can you carry these?"

Joanna nodded.

"I can carry them."

Preston wasn't convinced.

"Really?"

"Really." Joanna almost rolled her eyes. This man was so tedious!

She couldn't help muttering.

"Carrying these is still easier than dragging a person."

Preston's curiosity was immediately piqued.

"You've dragged a person before? Who? I've heard when someone faints, their whole body goes limp and they get incredibly heavy..."

"Yeah, heavy as death..."

Joanna answered offhandedly.

But Preston suddenly looked at Susan.

"Susan, if that's the case, with your lack of strength, how did you manage to drag me out of the car back then?"