Betrayed Spotlight
Chapter 34: Drama at the Jewelry Store

Chapter 34: Drama at the Jewelry Store

The car pulled up in front of the most expensive jewelry store in Wuhan city. Sarah’s eyes widened as she looked at the building. It was like a palace made of glass and gold, with huge windows that sparkled in the morning sun.

"Cartier Wuhan," Mason said, reading her expression. "They have the best collection in the city."

Sarah stared at the store. Even from outside, she could see beautiful jewelry displayed like precious art. There were security guards in expensive suits standing at the entrance, and the floors inside looked like they were made of marble.

"Mason," Sarah said nervously, "this looks... very expensive."

"It is," Mason said simply.

Sarah felt her stomach flutter with butterflies. She had never been to such a fancy store before. Antonio was always providing whatever she needed from stores like this. She never stepped into any of these stores to buy jewelry. What if she said something wrong?

"Go inside," Mason said, checking his phone. "I need to make a quick phone call about the work. I’ll be right behind you."

"Can’t you come with me?" Sarah asked, feeling nervous.

Mason looked at her and saw the worry in her eyes. For a moment, his expression softened slightly.

"You’ll be fine," he said. "Just tell them you’re here to look at wedding rings. They’ll take care of you."

Sarah nodded and got out of the car. She walked toward the store, her heels clicking on the steps. The security guard opened the heavy glass door for her with a polite bow.

"Welcome to Cartier," he said in a deep voice.

Sarah stepped inside and wheezed slightly. The store was even more beautiful inside than outside. The walls were covered in cream-colored marble, and there were chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Display cases made of glass and gold showed off rings, necklaces, and watches that looked like they cost a fortune.

Soft classical music played in the background, and the air smelled like expensive perfume. Sarah then realized that she should have always come jewelry shopping herself. She would never leave things like this for her manager again.

"Good morning, miss," said a young woman in a black suit. "I’m Manager Han. How can I help you today?"

Sarah smiled nervously. "Hello. I’m here to look at wedding rings."

Manager Han looked Sarah up and down. Sarah was dressed nicely in her blue dress, but she could tell the manager was trying to figure out if she could afford anything in this store.

"Wedding rings," Manager Han repeated slowly. "What is your budget?"

Sarah felt her face turn red. She had no idea what wedding rings cost at a place like this.

"I... um... I’m not sure. My husband is making a phone call outside. He’ll be here soon."

Manager Han nodded politely but didn’t look very interested. "I see. Well, let me show you some of our more... affordable options."

She led Sarah to a display case in the corner. The rings were still beautiful, but Sarah could tell they were the cheapest ones in the store.

"These are our entry-level wedding sets," Manager Han said. "They start at around fifty thousand yuan."

Sarah’s eyes went wide. Fifty thousand yuan for the cheapest rings? How much did the expensive ones cost?

"Could I... could I see some other options?" Sarah asked quietly.

Manager Han looked doubtful. "Miss, perhaps you should wait for your husband to arrive. These decisions are usually made together."

Sarah felt embarrassed. The manager clearly didn’t think she belonged here. Was she new or something?

Just then, another woman walked into the store. She was tall and elegant, wearing a designer dress and high heels. Her hair was styled perfectly, and she carried an expensive handbag. She looked like she belonged in a place like this.

"Manager Han!" the woman called out in a loud voice. "I’m here to pick up my custom order."

Manager Han immediately brightened up. "Miss Wen! Of course! Let me get that for you right away."

The woman walked over to where Sarah was standing. She looked Sarah up and down with cold eyes.

"Excuse me," the woman said rudely. "You’re standing in my way."

Sarah moved aside quickly. "Sorry."

Miss Wen looked at the rings Sarah had been looking at and laughed. "Oh, these old things? I remember when these were new. That was years ago."

Sarah felt confused. "Old things?"

"These are last season’s designs," Miss Wen said, looking at Sarah like she was stupid. "No one buys these anymore. They’re practically worthless."

Manager Han came back with a small velvet box. "Here is your custom bracelet, Miss Wen. Twenty-four karat gold with rare diamonds from South Africa."

"Perfect," Miss Wen said, taking the box. "Add it to my family’s account."

Sarah watched this exchange feeling more and more out of place. She wasn’t poor, of course. Hell, she was famous. But this people made her feel less of herself and she hated them for it.

Miss Wen noticed her staring.

"Are you new to luxury shopping?" Miss Wen asked in a fake sweet voice.

"I... yes," Sarah said.

Miss Wen smiled, but it wasn’t a nice smile. "I thought so. You have that look about you."

"What look?" Sarah asked.

"The look of someone who doesn’t belong here," Miss Wen said cruelly.

Before she could respond, Manager Han interrupted.

"Miss Wen, would you like to see our new collection from Paris? It just arrived this morning."

Miss Wen’s eyes lit up. "The new collection? Yes! I must see it immediately."

Manager Han led them to a special room behind the main store. It was even more luxurious than the main area, with soft lighting and comfortable chairs.

"These are our most exclusive pieces," Manager Han said, opening a special safe. "Each ring is one-of-a-kind, designed by master craftsmen in Paris."

Sarah’s breath caught in her throat. The rings were the most beautiful things she had ever seen. They sparkled like captured stars, and each one was unique and perfect.

"This one," Manager Han said, taking out a ring with a huge diamond surrounded by smaller stones, "is our most popular piece. It’s made with rare pink diamonds from Australia."

Sarah stared at the ring. It was absolutely gorgeous.

"How much?" Miss Wen asked.

"Two million yuan," Manager Han said.

Sarah almost choked. Two million yuan for one ring?

"I’ll take it," Miss Wen said without hesitation.

"Actually," Sarah said suddenly, surprising herself, "I’d like to try it on first."

Miss Wen turned to stare at her. "Excuse me?"

"I’d like to try on the ring," Sarah said again, feeling braver.

Miss Wen laughed loudly. "You? Try on a two million yuan ring? Are you joking?"

"I’m not joking," Sarah said, lifting her chin.

"Do you have any idea how much that ring costs?" Miss Wen asked.

"Two million yuan," Sarah repeated.

"And do you have two million yuan?" Miss Wen asked with a nasty smile.

Sarah felt her confidence crack. "Well... no, but—"

"Then you have no business touching it," Miss Wen said firmly. "Manager Han, please don’t let random people handle such expensive items."

Manager Han looked uncomfortable. "Miss Wen, the lady was just looking—"

"She’s not just looking," Miss Wen interrupted. "She’s wasting everyone’s time. Look at her! Does she look like someone who can afford anything in this store?"

Sarah smiled coldly.

"Manager Han. I want to try it on." Sarah repeated calmly.

"No," Miss Wen said firmly. "I’m buying this ring, and I don’t want your cheap perfume getting on it."

Sarah felt her anger starting to build. "Cheap perfume?"

"Yes," Miss Wen said. "Everything about you is cheap. Your clothes, your shoes, your jewelry. You clearly don’t belong here."

Sarah looked down at her blue dress. It was beautiful, and Mason had chosen it for her. But compared to Miss Wen’s designer outfit, maybe it did look cheap.

"I have every right to be here," Sarah said, glaring at Miss Wen.

Miss Wen laughed again. "Right? What right? Do you know who I am?"

"No," Sarah said. "And I don’t care."

Miss Wen’s eyes became dangerous. "I am Wen Mei-Lin. My husband owns three jewelry stores in Wuhan. My family has been buying jewelry for generations. I have spent more money in stores like this than you will ever see in your lifetime."

"That’s nice for you," Sarah said with a smug smile.

"It is nice for me," Miss Wen said. "And that’s why I can afford this ring, and you cannot."

She reached out and picked up the ring that Sarah wanted to try on.

"This is mine now," Miss Wen said, putting the ring on her finger. "See? It fits perfectly."

Sarah felt her heart break a little. The ring was so beautiful, and she had really wanted to try it on.

"Manager Han," Miss Wen said, "please wrap this up for me. I’ll take it."

"Of course, Miss Wen," Manager Han said.

"Hang on." Sarah suddenly sighed.

She reached into her purse and pulled out all the cash she had with her. It was a lot of money. Even though she had fallen from grace, she still had enough to buy some few things. And they were in one hundred dollar bills.

"You know what?" Sarah said loudly.

Miss Wen turned to look at her. "What?"

Sarah threw the money at her feet. The bills scattered all over the marble floor.

"Since you think I’m so poor," Sarah said, "here’s some cheap money from a cheap person. Maybe you can use it to buy some manners."

Miss Wen’s mouth fell open in shock. "How dare you!"

"How dare I what?" Sarah asked. "Treat you the same way you treated me?"

Manager Han looked horrified. "Miss, please don’t—"

"Don’t what?" Sarah asked. "Don’t stand up for myself? Don’t defend my right to be here?"

Miss Wen’s face turned red with anger. "You little nobody! Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?"

"I told you," Sarah said calmly, "I don’t care who you are. Rich or poor, everyone deserves to be treated with respect."

Miss Wen stepped forward angrily. "You think you can humiliate me? Me? I’ll show you—"

Just then, the store door opened, and Sarah heard a familiar voice.

"Sarah?"

She turned around and saw Mason strolling into the store. He looked around at the scattered money, Miss Wen’s angry face, and Sarah’s smug smile.

But what made his cold eyes became like ice was the hand Miss Wen had raised to strike Sarah.

"What," he said in a voice so quiet and dangerous that everyone froze, "is going on here?"

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