Chapter 315
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Summer’s POV
Victoria’s smile tightened. “It didn’t say I wouldn’t treat you! There are plenty of other beautiful pieces here. Why don’t you choose something else?”
“But I love this one,” Ruby insisted, reaching for the blazer.
Victoria clutched it closer to her chest. “Look, I’m the one giving the gift, so shouldn’t I have some say? I really can’t let you have this particular one!”
The commotion had drawn Nancy and her friends, who clustered around Victoria like a shield of designer perfume and judgment.
“Really, Summer,” Nancy said with a tight smile, “you should teach your friends some manners. Victoria is being incredibly generous, and they’re behaving like entitled children.”
One of Nancy’s friends, a woman with an aggressively blond bob and surgical enhancements that defied gravity, sniffed audibly. “What can you expect from someone dressed like… that?” She shot a pointed look at Ruby’s practical attire.
“Some people simply don’t know how to conduct themselves in establishments like Diana,” another woman added, her voice dripping with disdain.
felt my cheeks burn with anger at the way they were speaking about my friend. Ruby might be blunt and unconventional, but she was loyal, brave, and honest–qualities these women wouldn’t recognize if they slapped them in their Botoxed faces.
Ruby, Scarlett and I exchanged glances, and then Ruby burst out laughing. “Oh my God, this is hilarious! I can’t afford it? Seriously?* She gestured toward Victoria. “I thought your sister was the brand ambassador who could just take whatever clothes she wanted and give them away? Isn’t that what she implied?”
“Um, excuse me, ladies,” one of the saleswomen interrupted, clearly uncomfortable. “While Ms. Taylor is our brand ambassador, we don’t actually have a policy allowing our spokespersons to take multiple items to give away as gifts. That’s not standard practice.”
An awkward silence fell over the group. Victoria’s face flushed with embarrassment.
Sophie, ever the loyal assistant, jumped in. “But doesn’t Ms. Taylor get to select one piece from any of your stores?”
“Yes, she does,” the saleswoman confirmed, “but that’s strictly for Ms. Taylor’s personal use only. She can select items as our brand ambassador, but they’re meant for her to wear, not to distribute.”
Victoria looked utterly mortified, and I had to admit, I was enjoying every second of it.
Ruby’s face lit up with understanding. “Oh, I see how it works now! Well, Victoria, looks like you’ll be spending quite a bit of your own money today! There are what, ten people here? One or two outfits each… that’s going to add up!”
She turned back to the saleswoman with newfound enthusiasm. “Hey, you’re really pretty! Can I get this blazer in my size? I’m a small. I’ll take it!”
Victoria immediately stepped between them. “But I saw it first.”
Did you pay for it yer Ruby shot back with a sweet smile. She turned back to the catalog, pointing at several other items. “! these too. I’m feeling generous today. Nothing like spending money during the holidays to spread some joy!”
Victoria’s expression darkened further as she realized Ruby was deliberately selecting items that Nancy’s friends had been eyeing,
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Chapter 315
The saleswoman, thrilled at fife prospect of a major sale, nodded eagerly. “I’ll package these right away. All size small?
Ruby grinned, giving Victoria’s entourage a once–over. “Of course! The three of us have pretty amazing figures small is perfect. Ladies,” she added, addressing fancy and her friends, “don’t worry, won’t be getting the same sizes as you. Though I must say,
these styles are quite youthful–you all must have such young spirits
Scarlett snorted with laughter, which I quickly silenced with a warning touch on her arm, though I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips.
The saleswoman quickly gathered the items. “Will that be credit card or cash, miss?”
“Credit card!” Ruby reached into her bag, though I could see the slight Hesitation in her eyes. I knew Diana’s prices were steep, and Ruby had probably just impulsively committed to spending several months‘ worth of her journalist salary.
Just as she extended her card, I intercepted it, pulling out my own card from my purse. “Use mine,” I said pleasantly to the saleswoman. “I promised to treat my friends, after all.”
The saleswoman’s eyes widened noticeably when she saw my card. She was about to say something, but I subtly shook my head. “Just run it, please.”
She swiped the card with visible nervousness. “Is… is there anything else you need, ma’am?” Her tone had shifted dramatically, now filled with deference.
Ruby and Scarlett both eyed my card curiously, clearly wondering what kind of plastic could cause such a reaction.
Victoria and her group were equally curious. I could see Victoria’s frustration building as she watched the saleswoman’s sudden change in attitude. Being Diana’s spokesperson clearly didn’t carry as much weight as whatever was in my wallet.
“Summer,” Victoria said, her voice dripping with artificial concern, “I thought I was treating everyone today! With your salary… these pieces aren’t exactly budget–friendly.”
She let her words trail off, but the implication was clear to everyone listening.
I tucked my card back into my wallet with a small smile. “Don’t worry about it. I might not earn as much as you, but Stark Group has excellent benefits. I can certainly afford this.”
“Right, of course,” Victoria recovered quickly. “I forgot you work for Stark Group! We’re practically colleagues. I’m with Stark Entertainment, after all. Small world, Summer!”
“I know,” I replied, my smile genuine now. “I saw you at the Stark Group annual gala. You performed on stage. Quite the impressive
show.”
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