Chapter 42

Jack heard this.

He looked up at the manager.

Without bothering to argue, he simply pulled out a card, jet black, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen. Holding it between two fingers, he slapped it down on the desk in front of the manager.

The card struck the desktop with a crisp snap.

"Now, can we try it on?" Jack said coolly.

The manager looked down at the desk. The moment his eyes landed on the card, his entire body went rigid.

His pupils shrank hard, as if he'd just seen something terrifying.

A Black Gold Card.

Issued in strictly limited quantities worldwide, reserved for the very top tier of tycoons and elites.

It represented more than unlimited spending power. It was a marker of absolute status. Anyone who carried it was treated as the highest-ranking guest wherever they went.

The manager, who had still been putting on airs just moments ago, went pale at once and quickly bowed to Jack.

"I'm sorry, sir."

His whole body trembled, cold sweat already beading on his forehead. "Just now, I failed to recognize who you were. Please forgive me."

The female shop assistant nearby was also stunned by the scene, her face turning deathly pale.

Before she could react, the manager spun around and roared at her, "What are you standing there for? Get the dress out and let our distinguished guest try it on!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

The shop assistant hurriedly took the dress from the display case, then walked over to Sophia with forced respect.

She held it out with both hands.

"Jack." Sophia was still a bit dazed, instinctively looking toward Jack.

Facing Sophia, Jack's expression softened into a gentle smile. He walked up to her, placed the dress in her hands, and said, "Go try it on."

Sophia nodded obediently, holding the shimmering dress as she walked into the fitting room.

Before long, the fitting room curtain was gently pulled aside by a slender hand.

Jack instinctively looked up, and for an instant his breathing seemed to catch.

Sophia slowly emerged.

The white silk dress that had looked cool and distant in the display case now seemed to come alive on her.

The pure white hem spread out softly like clouds, swaying gently with her steps, rippling with a delicate, water-like shimmer. The precious silk hugged the lines of her slim figure, not overly mature, yet still showing a hint of feminine grace and charm.

Her smooth, long hair fell loosely over her shoulders, a few strands resting by her cheeks, making her look even more striking.

This was the Sophia he knew.

In that moment, she was like Cinderella slipping on the glass slipper.

She had become the princess she used to be.

Even the sharp-tongued shop assistant from before stared in amazement, mouth slightly open, eyes full of both admiration and envy.

"...Does it look good?"

Sophia walked up to Jack and gently spun in a circle, the hem lifting like a flower in bloom.

Jack looked at the girl in front of him, feeling as if something had lightly struck his heart.

"Beautiful."

Jack looked at Sophia and said softly, his voice tender.

A woman dresses for the one who appreciates her.

Hearing Jack's approval, Sophia's pretty face instantly flushed red.

The corners of her mouth lifted uncontrollably, and her heart turned warm and sweet.

"How much is this dress?"

Jack turned to look at the manager.

The manager quickly pulled his admiring gaze away from Sophia, lowered his head respectfully, and said, "Sir, this is our store's treasure. It costs... five hundred thousand dollars."

"Five hundred thousand dollars?"

Sophia froze.

Even when William was still alive, she had never bought such expensive clothes.

She instinctively tugged at Jack's sleeve, saying quietly, "Jack, it's too expensive. Let's get a different one..."

Five hundred thousand dollars was a huge sum.

She didn't want Jack to spend so much money on her.

"No need to change."

Jack cut her off directly, his expression calm, as if five hundred thousand dollars was just an insignificant number to him.

He turned his head, looked at the manager, and said coolly, "Pack those up for me too."

Jack pointed at a dozen or so display cases nearby.

"All of them?"

The manager was stunned, thinking he'd heard wrong.

Although these items didn't reach the level of the store's treasure, they were still the best pieces in the shop. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been displayed in cases.

The wealthy lady, the manager had been serving earlier, also widened her eyes at Jack's grand gesture.

"Is there a problem?"

Jack raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of coldness in his tone.

"No! No problem!"

The manager jolted and quickly nodded and bowed. "I'll have them packed right away! Right away!"

He turned around and roared at the still-dazed shop assistant, "What are you standing there for? Go pack up those clothes!"

"Yes! Yes!"

The shop assistant was so frightened she immediately ran to the various display cases, frantically beginning to pack the clothes.

Sophia watched the scene, somewhat at a loss. "Jack, we really don't need to buy so many..."

"Listen to me."

Jack ruffled her hair, his eyes full of affection. "You're my princess. How can you have just one dress?"

Sophia's heart felt full all at once, her eyes growing moist.

She knew that Jack truly cherished her above all else.

A few minutes later, all the shop staff were mobilized, and one exquisite dress after another was packed up, forming a small mountain.

"Sir, everything's packed."

The manager ran over, sweating profusely, and said respectfully, "The total is... three million five hundred thousand dollars."

"Charge the card."

Jack handed over the Black Gold Card.

After the transaction, Jack called Joseph in to load all the clothes into the car.

Then he took Sophia's hand to leave the shop, but at the doorway, Jack suddenly stopped. He looked back at the manager and said coolly, "Manager, I think your staff could use some training."

With that, he left without another word.

The manager bowed repeatedly as he saw Jack and his party out.

Then he turned to look at the shop assistant from earlier, his eyes cold.

"Ada, you're fired."

"Why? Please don't fire me!"

Ada panicked instantly. She had worked so hard to find such a good job. Now, with the unemployment situation like this, what would she do if she got fired?

Ada rushed to the manager, trying to grab his pant leg, but the manager kicked her away in disgust.

"Get away!"

He looked at her as if she were filthy trash. "Someone as blind as you staying in the store will only damage our brand image. Get out now, and don't let me see you again!"

"But... but I didn't really say anything..."

Ada collapsed on the floor, tears streaming down her face, filled with regret. She shouldn't have looked down on people. Now she'd lost her job because of it.