The Second Marriage Chance

Sarah

An elegant boutique on the upper floor greeted us warmly. Pausing to soak in the ambiance, I admired the rich burgundy velvet walls that served as a luxurious backdrop to the gleaming glass display cases showcasing glittering jewelry.

While Megan and Rebecca browsed the items, I observed the vigilant security and attentive staff at each stand.

“Come here, Ms. Sarah,” Azure, the jewelry shop owner, called to me. She led me to a single, elegant red couch and offered me some champagne.

“Sarah, what do you think about these cufflinks?” Jane asked as she approached, accompanied by a staff member who was protecting the cufflink. “Do you think they’d suit Brother Philip?”

I picked up the expensive item and examined it closely. I imagined Philip wearing them with his favorite deep navy Armani suit, highlighting his face’s aristocratic lines.

“They would look perfect on Philip.”

“You have a good eye, Miss Cornell. That is the most precious cufflink piece in the house. It’s rare because the stones are natural light blue diamonds,” Azure commented.

I decided to buy it. Even if I couldn’t give it to Philip, there was always Bronn or Amir.

“Azure, I wanted to-”

Megan interrupted me. “I want to buy those cufflinks! Please include them in my bill,” she said, a smile playing at the corner of her lips.

Jane looked surprised and annoyed. “Excuse me! Have you no manners? I saw these cufflinks first. Besides, you and Rebecca just tagged along with us!” Jane complained.

“Come on, Jane. Let’s be real! We both know I’ll be presenting these to Philip. After all, our relationship is… progressing.” Megan insisted.

Azure cleared her throat delicately. “Ms. Mitchell, remember that you are still Eternal Elegance’s priority. If you wish to buy the cufflink, it will be yours,” Azure assured me as her VIP client.

“Let Jane have them. She found them first. It’s only fair,” I replied.

Megan kept her calm. In my mind, maybe the cufflink wasn’t meant for me, so I let it go.

“I’ll take it!” Jane declared with a hint of victory

“How about this-why don’t we let the ladies choose their pieces first? I’m in no hurry. I can make my selection afterward,” I suggested.

Rebecca suppressed a laugh, crossing her arms and smirking at me. “Come on, Sarah. Just admit that you can’t afford it. I’m curious how you got that platinum ticket from Ms. Azure. It’s not like you’re supposed to be here or anything…”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Miss Cornell, are you implying that I lack intelligence?” Azure remarked, narrowing her eyes.

“N-no… I’m just trying to say…”

This woman still seemed dissatisfied with my possession of the platinum ticket.

Eventually, they finished making their selections. Rebecca opted for a bracelet and earrings, while Jane chose a bracelet and a delicate necklace for herself, along with the light blue diamond cufflink. Megan selected five sets of diamond jewelry.

“Now that we’ve made our selections, it’s your turn, Sarah,” Megan smirked.

I shook my head; they genuinely believed I was incapable of purchasing jewelry.

“Azure, I have faith in your expertise. As always, I’d like to see your most exceptional pieces.”

The lady beamed and motioned for her assistants to approach me. They presented an array of items: thick diamond-encrusted bracelets, sapphires, green emeralds, and more. The table in front of me was adorned with sparkling jewelry.

“These are among the rarest pieces in my collection, Ms. Mitchell,” Azure proudly said.

I nodded. “How about a cufflink? Do you have one priced between fifty and one hundred thousand?”

The size and type of stone often determine the price of a piece of jewelry, and I anticipated that the size I mentioned would suffice.

“Certainly,” Azure replied.

A staff member brought forward a cufflink adorned with a small diamond. Given that my brother doesn’t like things that are too flashy, this cufflink would be a good fit for Amir.

“How much is this?” I inquired.

But just as Azure was about to reply, Rebecca interrupted, her tone filled with disdain. “Why, Sarah? Is that all you can afford? Are you settling for the cheapest options now?”

“Who said I’m only purchasing this? I intend to acquire all the items on the table,” I declared, pointing to each piece.

Their shock was palpable.

“That’s ridiculous!” Rebecca blurted out. “How do you plan to afford all of those? You’re nothing but a gold-digger! You’re delusional if you think Philip will foot this bill for you!”

Azure’s voice cut through the tension, “Miss Rebecca Cornell! I’ve noticed for a while now that you’re being disrespectful to my client!” Her tone rose sharply, causing Rebecca to flinch visibly. “I don’t think you understand the significance of Ms. Mitchell’s platinum ticket. To put it in perspective for you, just last year alone, she invested over thirty million in my collection!”

“What?” Megan exclaimed. “Thirty million? But how? I mean, look at her dress!” She gestured wildly at my attire. “It’s just a simple black dress, not even a recognizable brand!”

Azure shook her head in disbelief. “I never thought I’d encounter someone so culturally ignorant in this town.”

Before anyone could respond, Philip’s voice boomed across the boutique, “How dare you think you can decide I won’t buy these things? Do you see me as some financial imbecile?”

Each word felt like a slap, making Rebecca visibly shrink. Jane watched the scene unfold, silently observing the drama.

Rebecca stammered in response, “I-I’m just concerned, Philip. You and Sarah have separated. It’s only natural for me to be concerned. I just don’t want our family to be publicly discussed.”

Philip’s retort was swift and cutting. “I don’t need your concern.” He reached into his fancy suit jacket and took out a shiny black card. He handed it to Azure, looking annoyed. “Charge every single item Ms. Mitchell selects to this card. Every. Single. One.”

Rebecca’s lip quivered, on the brink of tears.

“Philip, come on, Rebecca’s just looking out for you,” Megan interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension.

Desperate to contribute, I spoke up, “And Philip, this isn’t necessary. I can pay! I’ll cover everything!”

The brute ignored my attempt to interject, his attention entirely on Azure. “Thank you, Azure, for the platinum ticket. I appreciate the gesture and the exclusivity it represents..”

The revelation stunned the two women. Rebecca’s face drained of color while I raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

Rebecca’s fear was palpable as she turned her gaze towards the jeweler, directing her question to Philip: “Are you the other recipient of a platinum ticket?”

Azure’s gaze narrowed. “Indeed. You not only insulted my client with your rude actions but also made things worse by trying to lie. You made up a wild story, saying you received the platinum ticket. Did you really think I wouldn’t see through your weak excuse? It looks like you underestimated me.”

“Before I even think about trusting you, you need to act with the honesty and decency of Ms. Mitchell. But honestly, I don’t think it’s worth hoping for. I dislike liars, especially those who insult my intelligence like you just did!”

At that moment, frustration flooded over me like a tidal wave. Philip had single-handedly derailed my carefully laid plans!

“Did you hear that?” Rebecca’s voice was loud and upset, her face mixed with anger and embarrassment. “Don’t even think about comparing me to her! She’s nothing but a gold digger!” She squeezed her fists, her nails pressing into her palms. “It’s obvious! She only picked those things because Philip is paying for them. She’s just taking advantage of him!”

“Rebecca, do you still not grasp the situation?” I queried, trying to remain composed. “Let me make it crystal clear for you. Whether it’s Philip or not, I can afford my own luxuries because I am Sarah Benner!”

The name dropped like a bombshell in the boutique. Megan and Rebecca’s jaws dropped in perfect synchronization, and their eyes widened to comical proportions.

“W-what?” they gasped in unison.

“Yes, ‘that’ Sarah Benner! “And just to put things into perspective, my net worth is approximately triple that of Philip’s. So, yes, I’m an orphan, but that doesn’t mean I’m without a family or resources.”

I turned to the jeweler. “Miss Azure, could you do me a favor and let it be known that this lady lacks manners terribly? I have no desire to cross paths with her again, as she’s become a source of considerable stress for me! It’s their behavior that pushes me to indulge in spending, for heaven’s sake!”

“Ms. Mitchell, please don’t worry. I’ll personally see to it that Rebecca Cornell is blacklisted.” She snapped her fingers, and two sharp-looking security guards appeared. “Gentlemen, escort these women out!”

Rebecca’s social standing would undoubtedly take a hit! In this high society and luxury retail world, your reputation means everything. Once people heard about this, more stores would stop serving her, kicking her out of the elite circles she desperately clung to.

Meanwhile, Philip watched quietly as I let Jane handle the jewelry. I quickly made up an excuse about a meeting to avoid his attention.

Later that night, I went to Las Vegas to meet Bronn, accompanied by Emily…