Chapter 10

Ashley turned her head, casting a fearful glance at Isobel like a scared kitten.

Isobel's temper flared up the moment she saw that weak and pitiful look on Ashley's face.

"What are you staring at, you mute freak? Think you can afford that?" Isobel's voice dripped with disdain as her eyes swept over Ashley from head to toe. With a smug toss of her hair, she added, "I'll take this necklace. Wrap it up for me!"

The sales assistant was no newbie. Judging by Ashley's cheap outfit, she figured this girl wasn't likely to buy anything. But Isobel? Decked out in designer from head to toe—definitely a rich client.

"Of course, miss. I'll get that packaged right away," the assistant said with a near-flirtatious grin, eager to please.

Ashley's face fell as she reached out, trying to stop her. But it was too late. Her eyes welled up, making her look like she was about to break down.

Isobel, on the other hand, felt completely thrilled.

She jabbed Ashley's shoulder with her finger, cocky and pleased with herself. "Since when have you ever gotten to keep anything you liked? Hah! Everything you touched ended up mine. What makes you think someone like you could ever beat me?"

Ashley looked ashamed and furious, tears welling up as she turned and ran out of the jewelry store, hand covering her face like she couldn't bear to be seen.

But the moment she found a quiet corner, that hand dropped—and a sly smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Her angelic face now held a trace of triumph.

Back inside the store, the sales assistant beamed like she'd just won the lottery.

"Miss Sullivan, here's the necklace all boxed up for you. That'll be ten million. Would you like to pay by card or check?"

"W-what?" Isobel's smile froze. "Ten million? For this necklace?!"

She'd assumed the piece might be a few hundred grand tops.

The assistant's smile faded just a bit as she explained, "This is our signature piece—the Heart of Crystal. It's one of a kind."

A flush of panic danced across Isobel's face. She'd only planned to humiliate Ashley, to snatch away that necklace just to spite her. How could she have known that little snake picked the priciest one in the whole store?

Sensing something was off, the saleswoman toned down her enthusiasm and added politely, "Miss Sullivan, all our pieces are custom-made. Once purchased, they're non-refundable."

...Damn it! What kind of trap boutique is this?!

Isobel was seething inside, almost ready to snap. But with so many eyes on her—and those fake friends of hers now crowding around—backing out now would be social suicide.

Those fake friends exchanged knowing glances, clearly enjoying the show.

"Isobel, didn't you just say your family's about to buy up this whole mall? Ten million shouldn't be a big deal for you, right?"

"Yeah, what, were you bluffing back there?"

"You guys are full of crap!" Isobel was stuck—no way out but forward. She quickly dialed the mall's general manager, who hurried over soon after.

She pulled out the pendant, hoping to talk her way out of the necklace bill.

The manager looked troubled.

If it were just a hundred grand or so, maybe it'd be easier. But ten million? That's way over his pay grade. And the guy behind that necklace? Definitely not someone he could afford to cross.

What if this pendant was fake? That'd be a disaster. Better to check first.

"One moment please," he said politely before stepping aside to make a call. "Mr. Reed..."

Meanwhile, up on the third floor, Ashley had tied her hair back and flipped her coat inside out. She lounged casually by the window of a shop, her cap pulled low to cover most of her face. From this angle, she had a perfect view of the drama unfolding below.

Within minutes, a group of men in black stormed into the store, moving with military precision—heading straight for Isobel.

She froze, caught completely off guard.

"Let me go! What are you doing?! Do you even know who I am? Help! Somebody help me!!" Isobel screamed, kicking and struggling like crazy, but it was completely useless.

She was dragged out of the mall, shoved into a waiting car, and whisked away.

Ashley lazily gnawed on her straw, thinking to herself, With Edwin's crazy temper... yeah, Isobel might not make it out of this in one piece.

Finishing her drink, Ashley strolled calmly out of the mall and hopped into a cab headed straight back to Kingsview Garden.

In the basement.

Edwin stood silently behind a one-way mirror, his gaze cold and indifferent as he stared at the terrified mess of a girl inside the holding room.

"Please... I'm begging you, please let me go," Isobel sobbed uncontrollably. "I'm—I'm from the Sullivans! My family has money, tons of it... Whatever you want, my mom will pay! Just don't kill me!"

In his long, pale fingers, Edwin gently turned a restored pendant, slowly tracing its curves.

The pendant was real. But the woman in there? Definitely all bark, no bite. Absolutely not the type who'd dare pull something on him...