Chapter 1
Chapter 2 — The Woman They Judged
The showroom went completely silent.
No one laughed anymore.
The salesman stared at the stacks of cash covering the glass counter.
His mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
The woman calmly looked at him.
"Is this enough for you to take me seriously?"
He swallowed.
"I... I..."
The store manager hurried over after hearing the commotion.
"What's happening here?"
The salesman forced a nervous smile.
"Nothing, sir."
The woman answered before he could continue.
"I asked to purchase a necklace."
"Your employee told me I couldn't afford to breathe near it."
The manager's smile disappeared.
He turned slowly toward the salesman.
"Did you say that?"
Silence.
The answer was written all over his face.
The manager immediately bowed his head.
"Ma'am, I sincerely apologize."
She didn't respond.
Instead...
She looked around the showroom.
Every employee who had laughed suddenly found the floor fascinating.
"No."
She said quietly.
"You're apologizing because I have money."
She paused.
"What would have happened if I didn't?"
No one answered.
Because everyone already knew.
She reached into her canvas bag again.
This time...
She didn't remove more cash.
She removed a leather document holder.
Inside was a simple identification card.
The manager looked at it.
His hands began shaking.
"Chairwoman..."
The salesman frowned.
"Chairwoman?"
The manager whispered,
"She owns the Ashcroft Luxury Group."
Every boutique.
Every jewelry brand.
Every showroom in the region.
May you like
Including this one.
The salesman felt his knees weaken.
