Chapter 1185:
A sales associate replied, “This is the only one we currently have. The next batch from this designer won’t arrive for another three months.”
Isabella’s eyes widened with excitement. “Is that… for me?”
“Wouldn’t we each have one?” Rylie replied evenly. “If waiting isn’t your preference, you can always choose something else.”
“I don’t mind waiting,” Isabella said without hesitation. “Even if it takes forever.”
She then glanced at Kristen with open contempt. “The shop is reserved. Please step aside and stop disrupting the atmosphere.”
“I was here first!” Kristen shot back. “I’m the one paying — you get out of the way!” She pulled out her card and snapped at the staff. “If you don’t process this now, you’ll regret it.”
Nightingale glanced at Rylie for approval. Kristen’s behavior was clearly meant to provoke a reaction.
𝗧h𝗈𝘂𝗌𝖺ո𝗱𝘴 𝘰𝖿 𝗿е𝗮d𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘰n 𝗀a𝗅𝗇о𝘃е𝗅s.𝖼𝗼𝗆
Rylie gave a faint nod, unwilling to let uninvolved staff suffer because of their dispute.
With that signal, Nightingale accepted the card and proceeded with the transaction — right before Kristen’s brief surge of triumph crumbled.
Nightingale studied the display, raised an eyebrow, and said calmly, “There’s no balance on this card, Miss.”
Kristen froze, then rushed forward in disbelief. “That can’t be right! Frank said this was my personal card — he deposited twenty million for my expenses in Eshea!”
“It can’t be empty,” she insisted, her jaw tight.
Nightingale returned the card without expression. “If you’d like, I can try it again.” The screen showed the same result — payment declined due to insufficient funds.
Isabella curled her lips into a smirk. “Maybe Frank already emptied it. With your family finished, who do you expect to support you now?”
Nightingale smiled politely. “If a guest cannot afford our items, we must ask you to step outside so we may assist other clients.” She gestured toward the exit.
The staff exchanged glances, reaching the same unspoken conclusion.
Kristen was escorted out by two employees as whispers and curious stares followed her, each one sharper than words.
Her breathing grew heavy, hatred flooding her eyes as she stared back at Rylie, who was still being treated like royalty inside. If not for Rylie, how could her life have fallen this low? Being humiliated by people she considered beneath her — every bit of it was Rylie’s fault.
Rylie never looked back. She tilted her head slightly, listening as Nightingale described another piece, her expression calm and unhurried — as if Kristen had already ceased to exist.
That utter indifference stung more than any insult and nearly pushed Kristen over the edge.
“Rylie!” she shouted as she broke free from the employees, her voice slicing through the store’s quiet luxury. “Do you think this means you’ve won? Just because Brad survived, you think nothing can touch you? Before I leave Eshea, you’d better stay alert!”
Isabella immediately stepped in front of Rylie, hands on her hips. “Can’t accept defeat, so you throw a tantrum?”
Rylie lightly tapped Isabella’s shoulder, signaling her to step back.
She turned to face Kristen at last, meeting her distorted, furious gaze with calm steadiness — and a faint trace of pity.
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