Fleur sped along, with her bodyguards trailing behind in a state of panic. Eventually, she pulled over at the entrance
of DL Mall.
She hadn't informed anyone in advance, so no one was there to clear the area or welcome her.
Lena stood at the opulent store's entrance, uncertain of what to do.
"Go inside!" Fleur urged impatiently. "Everything in there is a limited edition. Pick a ring. Don't worry about the
price."
Lena's eyes widened.
"Oh no, consider the price!" Fleur thought for a moment. "We can't let them think my family can't afford a ring. Go
in and choose the most expensive one, got it?"
Lena was rendered speechless.
"Okay, okay, that's the plan!" Fleur said, turning away. "Select one. I'll be back after using the restroom."
"Mrs. Hamerton—"
Fleur hurriedly left before Lena could respond.
Lena surveyed the store, marveling at its sophistication. They sold diamonds there, and the store itself was like a
colossal, gleaming diamond that left one dazzled.
The exterior alone hinted at outrageously high prices.
The store was spacious, with more employees than customers, and even the floors were gilded.
Lena took a deep breath and contemplated calling Chris but hesitated, fearing Fleur's reaction. She summoned her
courage and entered the store.
Yet, no one came forward to greet her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe sales assistants seemed uninterested in helping her because of her plain attire. They glanced at her with
indifference and remained expressionless.
Lena approached the counter, where rows of sparkling diamond rings glistened before her.
"May I..." She gestured to one of them. "Try this one?"
No one responded.
She looked up and saw four or five people standing nearby.
"Can I try this?"
"What?" One of the sales assistants appeared annoyed by her persistence. She asked with a frown, "Which one?"
Lena pointed again. "This one?"
"Oh, that!" Instead of fetching it, the sales assistant remained where she was. "It's a five-carat diamond from South
Moaniain, exclusively designed by a famous European designer. Plus, it's a customized piece! Are you still
interested, miss?"
Lena detected the sarcasm in her tone and smiled.
If the sales assistants had been kind, she might have changed her mind about trying it.
"Yes, please let me try it," she said, locking eyes with the sales assistant. "I'm sure a high-end store like this wouldn't
refuse a legitimate request from a customer, right?"
"Are you certain, miss?" The sales assistant scoffed, her arrogance unwavering. "I already told you it's an exclusive
design. Don't try it if you're not serious about buying it. We won't be responsible if you damage it."
Suddenly, a sharp voice interjected, "What kind of ring is so expensive that it can't even be tried on?"
Almost all the sales assistants turned toward the source of the voice, their expressions changing to shock in unison.
"Madam Fleur!"
The manager rushed over, bowing deeply with an exaggerated smile that seemed painful. "Madam Fleur! Why
didn't you inform us of your visit? I would have personally welcomed you!"
"Ha! Why would I bother you?" Fleur replied sarcastically, revealing her less gracious side. "You guys are keeping
my girl waiting while she's trying to look at a ring. It appears this store has become rather haughty.
"I suppose you no longer require our family's preferential treatment? Very well, I'll speak to my nephew. Starting
next month, you'll pay double the rent!"
"Please, no!" The manager paled with fright and groveled. He was eager to appease her. "I apologize, Madam Fleur.
It's my fault for my sales assistants' misbehavior. I'm not sure what this lady did to be offended like this. I..."
The sales assistant trembled, her head bowed, saying nothing.
Fleur was no pushover. She approached the glass display and turned to Lena. "Is this the ring you'd like to try?"
"Yes." Lena nodded.
"It's so tiny!" Fleur rolled her eyes at the manager and sales assistants. "Although it's small, bring it out since my girl
wants to try it!"
"Yes!" The flustered sales assistant attempted to open the case a few times without success.
The manager scolded her, and she stood aside, on the verge of tears. She regretted her misjudgment of Lena. Who
would have thought such an unassuming person was with Madam Fleur?
"Forget it!" Fleur waved impatiently. "It's just a five-carat ring. What's the big deal? Our Lena doesn't care about it!"
"Yes, yes!" The manager nodded fervently and bowed. "We can tell she's exceptional. She certainly deserves the
best!"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"So?" Fleur fixed her gaze on him. "What do you have for her?"
"Right this way, Madam Fleur, miss!" The manager extended his hand. "Please have a seat in the VIP room. I'll have
our most prized pieces brought to you immediately!"
Fleur felt more at ease now. She instinctively reached for Lena's arm, but Lena appeared absentminded.
"What are you doing?" Fleur asked, pointing at her arm. "Come here!"
Lena was bewildered, thinking, 'Does she want me to... hold her hand? Doesn't she think lowly of me?'
"Hey!" Fleur scowled at her. "Has your mind gone blank?"
"Mrs. Hamerton, I—"
"Come on!" Fleur took the initiative, taking Lena's hand and tucking it into her arm.
Then she stood upright and strolled happily into the VIP room.
The manager showcased several of the store's most prized pieces, including diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and
emeralds, each as large as a pigeon's egg.
Lena felt overwhelmed as she looked at them.
Fleur insisted on Lena trying them all. The most astonishing moment came when she simultaneously had pigeon
egg-sized gems on all five fingers. Lena had never worn anything so extravagant.
Ultimately, Fleur selected a ring with a large diamond, a price tag that would surely earn her prestige.
Satisfied, she handed it to Lena and instructed her to put it on.
The manager escorted them all the way to their car, bowing repeatedly and even offering to help with the seatbelt.
"Mrs. Hamerton—"
"Come with me!" Fleur didn't give Lena a chance to speak and started the car.
Lena was bewildered. Where were they heading now?
Fleur glanced at the large diamond ring on Lena's finger and smiled contentedly. "We must show them we've