Dustin led Irene upstairs, their progress observed by a service assistant. He remained composed, but Irene's emotions were a whirlwind of shock and excitement. Membership in this clothing store was a potent symbol of status, highly coveted but rarely attainable. Irene knew the Lannopolis families desperately sought VIP status here, viewing it as a significant boast. She wondered how Dustin, someone seemingly far from such circles, had achieved this. The powerful Panther Gang, for all its influence, lacked the recognition to gain VIP access; even their leader had failed. "How… how are you a VIP here?" Irene whispered.
"I have many memberships," Dustin replied, "in high-end internet cafes and restaurants, countless of them."
Irene rolled her eyes; his answer felt evasive. "What level is your membership here?" she pressed.
"I don't know," Dustin shrugged. "But it's probably not low-level."
Another eye roll from Irene. Surely, the service assistant's deference wouldn't be shown to a low-level member. Her earlier anxieties dissipated. Elisa's previous taunts about their inability to reach the second floor now felt distant. Irene eagerly anticipated Elisa's reaction.
Reaching the second floor, Irene was awestruck. The VIP zone was a stark contrast to the lower level, radiating elegance and grandeur in its design and luxurious décor. Then, she spotted Elisa, arm-in-arm with Jaxon, browsing clothes. Upon seeing Dustin and Irene, Elisa's jaw dropped. She rubbed her eyes, incredulous. "That's impossible! How can they be here? They don't have the qualifications!"
Jaxon, too, noticed them, his eyebrows rising in surprise. Elisa's disbelief was palpable. They couldn't afford the first floor's clothing, let alone this exclusive VIP area. "How did you get up here?" she demanded.
"We walked," Dustin replied coldly.
Elisa's face darkened. Turning to a service assistant, she hissed, "Does your store now allow anyone onto the second floor?"
"Madam, only VIPs are permitted," the assistant replied politely.
"Then explain these two!" Elisa gestured angrily towards Dustin and Irene.
"If they are here, they are naturally VIPs," the assistant stated calmly.
"Impossible!" Elisa shrieked. "They must have snuck in!" She refused to believe Dustin and Irene possessed the necessary credentials. Even her own access was thanks to Jaxon.
Jaxon, too, voiced his skepticism. "Is there something wrong with your management?" he frowned.
"Sir, Madam, staff monitor the first floor; sneaking in is impossible," the assistant assured them, smiling. "If I'm not mistaken, they are indeed VIPs."
"No! They snuck in! They can't be VIPs!" Elisa insisted, firmly convinced of their lack of qualifications. She knew their impoverished circumstances; the idea of them being legitimate VIPs was inconceivable.