Chapter 24

"Terribly sorry, but we still have other stores to visit, so we won't linger," Leia said to the sales associate, forcing a polite smile. She grabbed Noelle's hand and added, "Noelle, let's go."

"Okay," Noelle extolled, feeling suffocated by the overly enthusiastic sales staff. Leia's sudden intervention was a welcome relief.

Kimberly quickly followed them out, noticing Leia's sour expression. "Leia, why did you drag Noelle out like that!"

Leia turned to Kimberly, her expression shifting into one of exaggerated concern. "Mom, don't you think something feels... off about these stores? Isn't it odd how overly eager they are?"

"Hmm, maybe," Kimberly replied with a nod. She had to admit, high-end boutiques like these usually weren't so eager to please. Their family might be well-off, but they were far from being in the league of elite billionaires. Yet these salespeople were treating them like royalty. It was baffling.

Leia pressed on, her tone dripping with feigned innocence. "I think they're targeting Noelle because she's too polite and easy to influence. They're trying to coax her into buying things."

"Well, salespeople are supposed to sell, aren't they?" Kimberly replied.

"Sure, but Noelle doesn't know how to say no! If she gives in and agrees to buy something, do we really want to stand there and refuse one thing after another! It would be embarrassing!" Leia's voice carried just the right mix of exasperation and logic.

Kimberly nodded, considering Leia's point. "You're right. So, Mom, maybe we should call it a day. We've already bought plenty of clothes," Leia suggested, eager to avoid seeing Noelle soak up more attention.

To Leia's annoyance, Kimberly didn't agree immediately. Instead, she said, "Let's wait a bit. We've bought clothes, but Noelle still needs some proper jewelry. She looks too plain without it."

"Well... alright," Leia replied, forcing a smile, inwardly sighing and thinking, Hopefully, the staff on the upper floors won't act as strange as the ones here.

Three more floors up, the trio headed. When the elevator doors opened, however, they were greeted by another overly enthusiastic welcome.

"Welcome, welcome! Are you shopping for jewelry for your child? Come take a look at our collection. It's perfect for young ladies!" Kimberly froze, stunned by the overwhelming reception.

Leia narrowed her eyes, suspicious. "What is going on with this mall today? Did everyone collectively lose their minds?"

As if on cue, all eyes landed on Noelle. Two stunning sales associates immediately flanked her, each gently taking an arm. "Miss, you must see our store! We have pieces that will suit you perfectly," they cooed.

"Ah..." Noelle blinked, caught off guard. She also felt their unusual enthusiasm, but... they were so pretty. Unable to refuse, she smiled brightly and said, "Okay, let's go."

"Right this way," said the salesgirl.

Kimberly and Leia stood rooted to the spot, watching in disbelief as Noelle was whisked away like royalty.

"What on earth is going on?" Kimberly muttered, bewildered.

Leia, meanwhile, clenched her fists, trembling with barely contained frustration. "This must be a dream. Please, someone tell me this is all just a bad dream."

"Miss, this necklace, 'Dream of Swan,' is our store's masterpiece. Crafted by renowned artisans, it symbolizes purity, innocence, and joy—qualities that match your aura perfectly. What do you think?" The store manager himself was presenting their crown jewel to Noelle.

"Wow, it's stunning!" Noelle exclaimed, eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Isn't it? Are you satisfied with this piece?"

"Very much so!"

"Shall I wrap it up for you?"

"Sure!"

"Wait a second!" Just as Noelle was about to seal the deal, Leia stormed over, her forced smile barely masking her rage.

Everyone turned to look at her. Leia balled her fists at her sides and, through gritted teeth, asked, "How much is this necklace?"

The manager gave a courteous nod and replied, "Miss, the 'Dream of Swan' is valued at 10 million dollars."

"10 million dollars!" Leia let out a bitter laugh. "We'll pass. We don't want it."

"Wait, why!" Noelle pouted. She actually quite liked the necklace.

"You're asking why?" Leia had initially intended to keep her cool, but she was now on the verge of losing it. Today had been completely off the rails. Everyone was fawning over Noelle, completely ignoring her, Leia. She had always been the center of attention, and this was the first time she was being so blatantly overlooked. And then there was the dress Noelle's mom had bought for her, worth 490 thousand dollars, while hers was only 190 thousand. And now Noelle, with her head in the clouds, wanted a 10 million dollar pink diamond necklace. It was so absurd, so ignorant.

With all the old grudges resurfacing, Leia couldn't hold it in anymore. "Noelle, are you really that stupid, or just pretending?" Leia's voice was cold. "A 10 million dollar necklace—how can you even think about asking Mom to buy it for you? Have you learned anything at all? You think just because you're the heir to the Anderson family now, you can get whatever you want? How about considering reality for once!"

"Alright, Leia, what are you even saying?" Kimberly, startled by Leia's sharp words, rushed over to stop her.

But Leia, with red eyes, tearfully turned to Kimberly. "Mom, I just think Noelle's being ridiculous. She wants everything she sees, not thinking about the situation or how you might feel. I just..." She broke off, covering her face and sobbing softly.

Kimberly, heart aching, rushed over to comfort her. "Leia, please don't cry. Today was supposed to be joyful, and now it's all falling apart."

Kimberly was frustrated, too. "Leia, why are you crying!"

Noelle, still perplexed, stared at Leia. She didn't understand why Leia was so upset. She wanted to know, "What's wrong with wanting a 10 million dollar necklace! I spent 30 million dollars on equipment without even batting an eye—money's meant to be spent, right? If they didn't have enough, she could always buy it herself." To Noelle, this wasn't a big deal at all.

"Noelle, stop saying things," Kimberly sighed, exasperated.

Noelle blinked, confused. "What's the big deal?" She thought about how she'd spent 30 million dollars on gaming gear without a second thought. Money was meant to be spent, wasn't it?

The awkward tension was suddenly broken by the store manager. "Ladies, I think there's been a misunderstanding. Actually, you don't have to pay for the necklace."

Kimberly and Leia stared at him, stunned. "What do you mean?" Kimberly asked, baffled.

The manager was about to explain when a deep, elegant male voice interrupted from the doorway. "Kimberly, what he means is... everything Noelle picks today is on me."

All heads turned toward the source of the voice, and there stood Nicolas, exuding charm and authority, as if he owned the entire mall.