Chapter 280
Jasper turned to the sales associate with a cold smirk. “If you’re tired of your job, by all means, sell this bracelet to that woman!” He leaned in, his voice lowering to a threat. “But don’t think you’ll just lose your job here at Neo-Vespera. If you cross us, you’ll find yourself blacklisted from every luxury retailer in Novaris.”
The sales associate froze, glancing nervously at Rachel. Her face drained of color as realization dawned—she recognized Rachel, the woman once rumored to be entangled with Haynes. Ordinary people like her couldn’t possibly go head-to-head with someone backed by the O’Brien Group.
Rachel put on a show of concern. “Jasper, please, let’s not make a scene.”
“Rachel, this is exactly why women like Stella walk all over you,” Jasper shot back. “You’re too soft-hearted, and it’s high time someone put her in her place. Today, I’ll do it for you!”
Stella’s gaze was cool and unfazed. “You? Please. You’re not nearly qualified to teach me any lessons.” She smiled, then raised her voice so everyone in the boutique could hear. “So, what you’re telling us is—if Haynes’s sweetheart wants something, it doesn’t matter who saw it first or who bought it first. She gets it, no questions asked?”
“Most stores treat their customers like royalty, but here, it seems we’re supposed to be servants,” she continued. “Is this how the O’Brien Group does business?” She swept her eyes around the room, making sure all the well-heeled patrons and staff heard her clearly. “To everyone shopping here today, better be careful. The O’Brien Group wields so much power, if you ever cross them, they’ll make sure you can’t shop anywhere in Novaris again!”
Her words were perfectly timed, immediately painting Rachel and Jasper as the villains and putting them at odds with everyone else in the store. The clientele here weren’t your everyday shoppers; they were the city’s elite, and now their faces were dark with displeasure.
“The O’Brien Group’s been expanding fast the last few years, sure,” someone muttered. “But they’re not the only game in town. If this is their attitude, what happens if they become a monopoly? Will we have to grovel just to buy a bracelet?”
“Exactly! There are plenty of other jewelers in the city. If the O’Briens don’t want our business, we can always take it to Dumont Jewels,” another chimed in. “I’m done shopping here. I don’t want my purchases snatched away just because I’m not in with the right crowd.”
“My father’s got a business meeting with the O’Brien Group tomorrow. I’ll be sure to tell him about this. With that kind of arrogance, they’re hardly suitable partners.”
Grumbling and indignation rippled through the room. The O’Brien Group’s reputation had taken a visible hit in the span of minutes.
Stella watched Rachel and Jasper’s changing expressions with a satisfied smile. “Mr. Wilkinson, Ms. Pearce—if the O’Brien Group’s stock dips tomorrow, you’ll know exactly who to thank.”
Both Rachel and Jasper went pale.
Amid the commotion, the low hum of conversation abruptly died away as a tall, impeccably dressed man descended the staircase. His striking good looks and commanding presence drew every eye in the boutique; even the air seemed to still. He surveyed the group with a slight frown. “What’s going on here?”
Jasper’s eyes widened in surprise. “Haynes? Weren’t you meeting with a client? Why are you here?”
Haynes’s voice was calm and cool. “My business partner wanted to see the jewelry collection, so I brought him by.”
Not wasting a second, Jasper pointed accusingly at Stella. “Stella’s completely out of line! Whatever Rachel picks out, she insists on snatching it away, then spreads lies about the O’Brien Group. She’s even telling people not to shop here!”
Before Stella could respond, Haynes’s gaze turned steely and cold, settling on her. “Stella. Give the bracelet back to Rachel.”