Chapter 55
She wasn't bragging - she really had all those things in her closet.
That was the one good thing about those three years with William: every piece of jewelry the Morgan Group released, the first one always went to her.
Sarah's expression immediately changed. She'd wanted to mock Ava, but ended up getting mocked instead. She quickly adjusted her emotions, managing her expression quite well.
"Not necessarily."
She raised her right hand, showing off a diamond ring of about three carats, gleaming with the light of money.
"William gave me this ring. I designed it myself, and he personally supervised the craftsmen making it. Forget the Morgan Group - there's only one pair like this in the whole world. The product department just finished making it, and he put it on my finger while it was still warm. Want to take a look?"
Ava saw the ring on her left ring finger and felt terrible inside.
He'd promised so confidently that he would solve the problem with Sarah, but she never expected this kind of solution.
They'd already gotten to the point of buying rings.
Even so, he still wouldn't agree to a divorce, just stringing her along.
Emily saw Ava deflate like she'd been hit by frost, and her smug expression grew even stronger.
"What's the point of having all that jewelry in your closet? This one was personally supervised by my brother. You'll never get that kind of devotion."
Ava's heart, which had finally been calm for a few days, felt like it was being torn open, aching painfully.
She couldn't deny it - Emily was telling the truth.
What she'd always wanted wasn't those cold stones. She only wanted his heart, which for her was the most precious thing in the world.
Looking at Sarah's smug face, Ava couldn't just let her get away with it.
"All Morgan Group jewelry comes with a special certificate and unique number. Yours isn't even on the Morgan Group website - I guess it can't see the light of day?"
Lucas, who'd been silent all this time, finally couldn't hold back. He clapped his hands a few times to draw attention.
"This is really something - the other woman coming here to claim her territory. You know what you are, right? Not ashamed but proud of it. Are other women really this bold these days?"
Sarah's face darkened at being called "the other woman." But considering Lucas was tall and intimidating, with a temper and a sharp tongue - she'd already gotten burned by him once at that couple's restaurant - she was a bit afraid of him and kept quiet, avoiding direct conflict.
Emily defended her. "Whether she's the other woman or not is for my brother to say. Who are you to talk?"
Lucas wasn't about to indulge a spoiled brat like Emily.
"What kind of day is this - all the weirdos gathering in one place. Covering for your brother's mistress - what's wrong with your whole family?"
Emily stamped her feet in anger. Sarah also lost interest in looking at jewelry - everything here was stuff Ava had already worn to death anyway.
Ava and Lucas went straight upstairs to look at dresses, their good mood half ruined.
The second floor was all international luxury brands with crazy prices.
After browsing around, Ava thought it was too expensive. Evening gowns were one-time things - spending tens of thousands or even over a hundred thousand on a dress she'd only wear once didn't seem worth it.
She might as well pick something from Lucas's studio. His taste was good, his craftsmanship was fine, and wearing his designs wouldn't be any worse than those big brands.
Ava pulled Lucas toward the elevator. Lucas's attention was caught by a store name: Christian Siriano.
This floor was full of international luxury brands, yet this relatively unknown dress shop occupied the best location on the floor, with a storefront even bigger than the Chanel next door.
It seemed to be a pretty powerful brand, but Lucas, an industry insider, had never heard of it. He couldn't help wanting to check it out.
"Ava, want to look in that store? It looks really unique - might be your style."
Through the glass door, Ava could see the dress on the nearby mannequin. It looked pretty good.
They walked into the store, and Ava was immediately drawn to a white strappy dress. It had a simple, elegant design with nice attention to detail, decorated with a circle of pearls at the neckline. Overall, it looked dignified and elegant - right up her alley.
After studying it for a while, Lucas also thought it was good. "Want to try it on?"
Ava looked at the price tag - ninety thousand dollars. Immediately, she didn't like it anymore.
"Not buying it. Let's go."
Ninety thousand - she might as well give it to Lucas. The dresses he designed were just as good as this one, and giving it to him would let her good friend make some money.
Ava tried to pull Lucas away again.
Lucas was a bit frustrated with her.
"Where's the black card William gave you? Take it out!"
Ava made faces at Lucas - it wasn't good to talk about this in front of the sales associate.
As they were tugging at each other, two more distinguished guests entered the store.
"What a coincidence, running into you again."
Sarah greeted them with a smile, as if the unpleasantness downstairs had never happened.
Emily immediately perked up when she saw the dress on the mannequin in front of Ava. "Sarah, this dress would look so good on you. Want to try it?"
The sales associate looked a bit awkward. "This dress was the one this lady saw first."
Ava didn't really want to buy it anyway. The key thing was that she didn't think Sarah's figure could pull off this dress.
"Let her try it."
The sales associate breathed a sigh of relief and apologized profusely before taking down the dress for Sarah. Anyone who could shop at a store like this was either a wealthy wife or a socialite - all people with connections. A service worker like her couldn't afford to offend them.
Ava actually wanted to see what this dress would look like on Sarah.
Sarah came out after a moment, holding her chest. The waist fit well enough, but the hem length was a bit off - though with some minor alterations, it wouldn't be bad. Overall, the effect was pretty good, giving her that sweet girl-next-door vibe that fit her persona.
Emily's eyes widened when she saw Sarah in the white dress.
"It looks so good! If William sees this, how could he resist?"
Lucas snorted. "Can't resist because of a dress - is your brother a stallion or something?"
That one sentence made everyone present turn green, including Ava.
"Ahem, miss, what do you think of this dress?"
The sales associate broke the awkward silence.
Sarah looked at the price tag and hesitated. "Just hang it here for now. I'll think about it."
The sales associate took the dress and asked Ava, "Miss, would you still like to try it?"
Ava didn't want to try it - Sarah had already tried it on, and that bothered her. Lucas practically pushed her into the fitting room and shoved the dress in after her.
When she came out wearing it, the sales associate was stunned.
Ava was five feet five with not an ounce of extra fat on her waist. Her proportions were perfect - slim waist, long legs. Her great figure made the dress look instantly more high-end. Her smooth waist and hip lines looked like the dress was custom-made for her.
Lucas nodded with satisfaction, his proud gaze drifting toward Sarah. "I told you this dress suits you. Don't you look like the most beautiful swan?"
Ava coughed, signaling him to stop talking. If he kept going, she'd have no choice but to buy the dress, and she had no intention of spending ninety thousand on one outfit.
Emily couldn't hold back anymore. "What swan? More like a giraffe. We're taking this dress. First come, first served. Waiter, swipe the card!"
The sales associate looked at Ava a bit awkwardly. She also thought it would be a shame not to sell this dress to Ava. After all, she brought out the soul of the dress.
"Miss, do you still want this dress?"
The sales associate carefully asked Ava's opinion. Before Ava could speak, Emily came over and snatched it.
"Stop asking her - she can't afford it. Didn't you notice she hesitated forever after looking at the price tag? Just swipe the card already."
The sales associate felt a bit regretful but obediently went to the counter to write up the order. After all, sales came first.
Sarah slowly pulled out a card and handed it to the sales associate.
"Miss, this card doesn't have enough credit. Could you please use a different card?"
Sarah's face immediately darkened. Normally, it would be one thing, but in front of Ava, this was like slapping her own face. She glared angrily at Emily - it was this idiot who insisted on grabbing the dress.
"Emily, lend me your card. I'll pay you back later."
Emily was a bit reluctant. After all, ninety thousand wasn't a small amount. Her monthly allowance was only two hundred thousand - this would use up half of it in one go. How would she get through the rest of the month?
"Wait, I have a solution."
Emily pulled out her phone and called William.
"William, lend me your black card to swipe. I'm helping Sarah buy a dress."
She wasn't speaking loudly, but there were only a few customers in the store, so Ava couldn't help but hear.
Ava and Lucas exchanged a knowing glance and stood to the side to watch the show.
Emily only spoke a few words on the phone before hanging up, staring at Ava angrily with her phone.
As soon as she hung up, Ava's phone rang.
"Ava, where are you? Is it convenient for you to pay a bill for Emily?"