Amelia wasn't lying. Asking for Noah's number was for the after-sale service, but there was more. If she could get close to a man like him, she might get well-off ever since.
She knew that being friends with him would be nothing but beneficial to her career.
And of course, Noah knew what she was thinking. With whom he was, a word from him could settle a person once and for all.
Naturally, very few could resist such a temptation.
"OK." After pondering, he gave her his number.
Then he saw clearly that Amelia's breathing became more rapid, and she blushed.
He thought, 'I guess this is what money can do.'
Shaking his head slightly, he left.
He was headed for Lisa's company to give her the jewelry as a surprise.
Lisa worked as an accountant in a financial company of Oceanbridge City, earning about 7000 dollars a month. Though it seemed she earned a lot, they lived in Oceanbridge City after all, and everything cost. She could barely save much after paying the household expenses.
She was in her office at Pinnacle Wealth Management.
"Lisa, we went to college together and have known each other for almost 6 years now. I'm just looking out for you," a woman sitting opposite her said.
The woman was dressed in a coffee-colored business suit with her black hair laid gently back. Her light makeup adorned her striking face while she exuded an air of restrained authority at the same time.
She was Evelyn Crowe, Pinnacle Wealth Management's CFO, a quintessential rich and beautiful woman. Though she was of Lisa's age, she was a loyal bachelorette, so she hadn't married. Even so, she had many pursuers who dropped by the office to send her flowers like a every day routine.
"I just don't get it. What do you see in Noah?
"You've been married for over a year now, and he hasn't even given you a ring. Is he a man or what? Besides, he doesn't have a job. What an idle good-for-nothing." Evelyn said.
"Evelyn, don't say that. He loves me." Lisa pouted, looking a bit angry.
"Love? Lisa, you still believe in that? How old are you? You aren't a teenage girl anymore," Evelyn sneered.
"Money is all that matters nowadays. Without money, there's no love. Noah is poor. How can he make you happy?"
"Evelyn..." Lisa was about to retort but was cut off by Evelyn.
"You know that guy who came in this morning, right? He's the son of Charles, Oceanbridge City's property tycoon. He has given me a sports car just to win my affection.
"I don't have feelings for him, but it's a sports car after all. Tell me. Can Noah give you that? No. Never. He doesn't deserve to be your loyalty”
"Lisa, come on. You're an outstanding woman. Why do you have to stick with him? You can do way better."
"Evelyn, I'm not interested in those things you mentioned, neither sports cars nor anything else. I just wanna live a happy life with Noah. He's a nice guy," Lisa said seriously.
"Fine. Let's get realistic then," Evelyn said immediately.
"Everything costs. What are you gonna do after you have babies? How are you gonna pay for hospital care? Your babies' formula? And schooling? It's gonna be at least tens of thousands of dollars, right?”
"Does Noah have that much of money? I don't think so. He won’t even provide for his own kids. I hate to break it to you, but he's not even qualified for procreation."
The more she spoke, the more agitated she became. "He's wasting your time. As your friend, I advise you to divorce him."
"Evelyn." Lisa's voice and eyes turned cold.
"I'm married to Noah, and divorcing him is out of the question. Whether he is wealty or not is irrelevant. So what if we are not rich? I'm just happy to be with him.
"You've been my friend for years, so, I don't wanna hear such words again. Please don't jeopardize our friendship."
She sounded firm, serious, and genuine.
Evelyn sighed, feeling a bit disappointed.
She thought, 'What's so good about Noah? How come Lisa is so determined to stay with him? It surely baffles me.'
"Ms. Crowe, there's a man outside named Noah. He said he was Lisa's husband and wanted to come in to see her." Evelyn's deputy came in suddenly.
"Noah is here?" Lisa and Evelyn were both stunned.
"Let him in," Evelyn said reluctantly, full of contempt. Noah annoyed her every time they met.
She thought, 'The last time I saw him was at Lisa's wedding. The second I saw him, I decided to leave right after giving Lisa my wedding gift. I didn't even stay for the meal.
'The reason is simple. Lisa deserves better.'
Soon, Noah came to Lisa's office with the jewelry box.
"Noah. What are you doing here?" Lisa stood up and walked over happily.
"I bought you something," Noah smiled, raising the box in his hands. Now that he was no longer restricted by his family, he was determined to make Lisa the happiest woman in the world.
"Tiffany & Co.?" Evelyn's eyes flickered when she saw the logo on the box, and she was surprised.
She was no stranger to luxuries because she was rich. The reason she was surprised was that it was in Noah's hands.
"Noah, what's this?"
When Lisa saw the logo, she was dumbfounded, too.
"I didn't get you anything when we got married. It’s time to make it up to you," Noah stroked her head, smiling gently.
Evelyn sneered and walked forward, "Noah, come on. You think such lame tricks will work? What? Is Lisa a fool in your eyes?
"To be honest, it's counterfeit inside, right? If I'm not wrong, it's not even as expensive as the box."
Evelyn had a sharp eye and therefore could tell at once that the jewelry box was authentic, for it was identical to the several ones she had at home.
She was certain that Noah paid for the box and put some counterfeit in it to fool Lisa.
"Counterfeit?" Noah was stunned and thought, 'It costs me 80 thousand dollars. It's not some counterfeit at all.'
Some of Lisa's colleagues who were in the office as well looked over curiously.
"I've always heard that Lisa's husband was a pauper. So, There he is."
"You know what? They say that he's a total loser, who doesn't even have a job."
"I shall weep for Lisa. Why did she marry him?"
"Poverty is one thing, sending her counterfeit is another. Isn't he worried that he might get exposed? The cheek of him."
"He's practically a imposter."
They kept whispering to each other and were all looking at Noah with disdain, mockery, and contempt.