Chapter 500

The shop assistant smiled. "Of course, miss. Please have a seat and enjoy some coffee and pastries while I prepare your selection."

He didn't mention the price—none of the guests on the third floor would ever ask. The total would simply be presented after everything was packed.

Rebecca's heart skipped a beat as she eyed the ruby tiara. She knew from experience that such a piece would be incredibly expensive. These rubies were far superior to small, ordinary ones; these were exquisite, on a whole different level.

She glanced at Viola and whispered, "Since she wants it, you might as well buy it. What do you think?" Viola was so frustrated she laughed inwardly in disbelief.

What did she think? Did she even have a choice? The shop assistant was already placing the tiara in a luxurious jewelry box.

Even the box itself looked expensive. Made of cherry wood, inlaid with velvet and a row of tiny gemstones, its sides were intricately carved. A tiara presented in such a lavish container could never be cheap.

As the shop assistant neatly wrapped the tiara and presented it, he asked, "Madam, is there anything else you'd like to see?"

Noticing Serena's gaze drifting toward another tray, Viola quickly stepped forward. "No, just this one will do."

The shop assistant smiled. "Very well. Thank you for your patronage, ladies. This ruby-embedded tiara, in gold thread, will be 36,800 silver coins."

Rebecca gasped. "What? Over 36,000 silver coins for a single tiara?"

Her outburst stunned the shop assistant, and others in nearby private rooms poked their heads out, their surprise evident on their faces. Rebecca quickly covered half her face with a handkerchief, her pleading gaze fixed on Viola for help.

Serena, now holding the jewelry box, also looked at Viola. She hadn't expected it to be so expensive. Carissa had given her jewelry and gemstone bracelets in the past, costing only a few hundred silver coins. She'd assumed this tiara, no matter how expensive, would cost only two or three thousand silver coins at most. Viola had said they could only spend a thousand silver coins on jewelry that day.

However, since Serena was marrying into a prominent family, spending a few thousand on a nice tiara seemed reasonable, right? But never in her wildest dreams had she imagined it would cost nearly 40,000 silver coins.

Still, Serena knew Viola could afford it. In addition to her late husband's pension, Viola's dowry included a significant amount of silver coins and property from her family. 36,800 silver coins was a hefty sum, but Viola could manage it.

Chapter 500 (Continued)

Serena quickly hugged the jewelry box to her chest, then turned to Viola with a sweet smile. "Viola, thank you so much for contributing to my dowry."

Viola stared in shock. Anger and embarrassment surged through her. She'd thought Serena might refuse the tiara after hearing the price, but instead, she'd snatched it from the shop assistant and thanked her for contributing to her dowry.

"You said this one was enough," Serena said with an innocent look, adding a touch of pitiful charm as she glanced at Viola.

Viola looked at Rebecca for support; Rebecca nodded. "Since you decided on this one, we'll go with your choice."

Viola's eyes widened. She couldn't believe even her mother-in-law agreed.

The tiara cost over 36,000 silver coins, and they expected her to pay?!

The shop assistant looked at Viola. Though his smile remained unwavering, Viola sensed condescension.

Humiliated and embarrassed, Viola took a deep breath, fighting back tears. She addressed the shop assistant firmly, "We won't take it."

She expected a sneer or mockery, but he simply maintained his polite smile. "Very well. If you don't like it, feel free to choose something else or come back another time."

He extended his hands, slightly bowed, waiting for Serena to return the jewelry box.

Yet, Serena didn't return the box. Frustrated, she snapped, "Who said we don't want it? We do! Mom, you need to get Viola to pay for it now!"

Rebecca was genuinely appalled by the price. 36,800 silver coins for a single tiara was exorbitant, and the thought of buying it pained her. But with Carissa in another room and others watching, she couldn't afford to be embarrassed.

So, she took a firm stance. "Viola, if you don't have enough money with you, have the shop assistant collect it from our home."