"$10,000, ma," the second attendant said, her voice careful, sensing the tension between the two women.
Irene barely blinked. Her lips curled into an amused smirk as she turned to Mary. "Just that? I will pay if I like it. Put it on me," she said, her gaze holding an unspoken challenge.
Mary's expression darkened. She lifted her chin, her eyes narrowing. "It's not a matter of you paying anymore. Right now, I want this anklet."
Irene arched a brow, feigning innocence. "This same anklet? Or another one?" she asked in a playful tone.
"Yes,this same anklets" Mary said firmly, her confidence unwavering, not that she really wear anklet she just want to show Irene she's not in same level as her.
The second attendant, suddenly caught in the middle of their brewing rivalry, hesitated before explaining, "Ma'am, this is the last piece of this anklet, but we have other designs if you'd like check."
Mary barely acknowledged her, her eyes still locked onto Irene. "I want this exact—"
"Thank goodness," Irene interrupted smoothly, her tone light with mock relief. "I don't want to twin with her anyway."
Mary's nostrils flared. "Who wants to twin with you? I want the one you're holding!" she snapped, her spoiled nature showing in full force.
The second attendant looked to the first for help, both unsure of what to do. Finally, the first attendant hesitantly offered, "Miss, why don't you try another jewelry piece and let ma'am here have this one?"
Irene turned her head slightly, eyes glinting with amusement. "Who is the ma'am?" she asked, pretending not to understand.
Mary, sensing victory, smirked. "I think she's making sense."
Irene let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head slightly. "In my own opinion, I think you both have the same sense as a cockroach," she said, her smile bright and unbothered, as if she wasn't arguing but merely making an observation.
Mary's jaw dropped. Her face twisted in rage as she took a step forward. "Are you talking to me? How dare you?" she practically screamed, her frustration boiling over.
Irene tilted her head, unconcerned. "Same thing that dared you to talk to me in that manner." Her voice was smooth, teasing, as if she found Mary's anger amusing. Then, with an exaggerated sigh, she glanced down at the anklet in her hand. "But since you want this anklet so much, I'll give it to you. Let this be a gift from your in-law." A sweet, almost taunting smile followed her words.
Mary blinked, momentarily thrown off. "What in-law?" she asked, utterly confused.
Irene turned to the gathered crowd, her confidence unshaken. "Let me introduce myself to you all. I'm Irene, the illegitimate daughter of Mr. Brown." She announced it proudly, her expression unreadable, yet there was an undeniable arrogance in the way she said it.
Gasps echoed around the store. Eyes widened in shock, whispers spreading like wildfire. Everyone knew the weight of the Brown family name. In the entire Country B, only three elite families held true power:
The Blacks controlled the business empire.
The Browns dominated politics, though they had business ventures as well.
The Smiths were in charge of hospitals and pharmaceuticals.
And here was Irene—an illegitimate daughter, yet still living in the Browns' mansion. That alone meant she was no ordinary woman. Automatically, she outranked Mary, whose family stood beneath the Irene's family.
The second attendant, who had sided with Mary earlier, paled, realizing her mistake. Scrambling to fix the situation, she forced a smile and said sweetly, "Ma'am, you should have told us who you are! Why don't you take the anklet since you picked it first?"
Her sudden change in attitude was almost comical.
"Really?" Irene replied, a teasing smile playing on her lips, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
"What do you mean? I want this, and that's final!" Mary snapped, folding her arms across her chest, her voice laced with frustration.
The second attendant hesitated before speaking, her voice cautious. "Ma'am, you need to understand that we have a policy of first come, first serve, and also… she's a Brown."
At that, Mary stiffened, her face darkening. "Ma'am Mary, why don't you take another anklet and let Miss Brown have this one? We have other, even better ones," the second attendant said, trying desperately to ease the tension.
Mary's eyes flashed with indignation. "Why should she take it? Are you saying I don't have the right to take something from her? And weren't you on my side before? Why switch now just because her family is slightly greater than mine?" Her voice rose in anger, her hands clenched into fists.
The first attendant shifted nervously. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, I just don't want to cause more trouble for you."
Irene smirked, watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement. "That's what I call fun, but not interesting enough." She turned to the second attendant and said nonchalantly, "Enough of your argument, just pack this for me."
Mary gritted her teeth. "I just said I want this!"
Irene let out a tired sigh, her expression turning bored. "I've got serious anger issues. Enough of your princess behavior."
Mary scoffed. "If I want it, I get it."
Irene raised an eyebrow, as if considering her words, then suddenly picked up the anklet and held it out toward Mary. "Okay, take it."
Just as Mary reached for it, the anklet slipped from Irene's fingers and crashed onto the floor. A sharp crack echoed through the store as the delicate crystals shattered into tiny pieces.
Irene gasped dramatically, clutching her chest in mock horror. "Oh my God! Miss, how can you be so careless?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with feigned shock.
Mary stared at the broken anklet, her eyes widening in disbelief. "It's not my fault! It was you! It slipped out of your hands!" she stammered.
Irene tilted her head, feigning confusion. "Are you kidding me? Everyone here can testify that the anklet fell from your hands." She gestured around, her expression innocent yet smug.
Mary's mouth opened and closed, struggling for words. "B-But… but…."
Irene smirked. "Does the anklet belong to you or not? And if you still want to deny it, why don't we check the CCTV footage?" Her voice was sweet, but there was a sharp glint in her eyes.
The second attendant cleared her throat. "Ma'am, with all due respect, you have to pay for the anklet you broke."
Mary's face burned with embarrassment. "I didn't break it!" she protested.
The second attendant stood firm. "Ma'am, it's evident you did. Miss Irene handed it to you, and it fell from your hands."
From an outsider's perspective, it really did look like Mary had been careless. But only Irene—and anyone sharp enough to notice—would realize that she had done it on purpose.
Irene turned to Mary, her tone light and teasing. "What's wrong, Miss? Can't you pay for it? Should I cover it for you?, I don't mind pay for you, am a very nice person" she said
Mary's jaw tightened. She wasn't about to let Irene humiliate her further. "No worries, I can handle my bills myself," she said through gritted teeth, yanking her card from her purse and swiping it at the counter.
"And know this is not the end" Mary said with anger evident in her voice
I don't really care about you Miss Irene replied still with a smirk on her face,which makes Mary boil, she felt like raise her hand on her but she decide against it,her bodyguard isn't around
After completing the payment, Mary stormed out of the store, her heels clicking angrily against the floor. Irene followed at a leisurely pace, stepping outside just as Mary whirled around to face her.
"Miss, how are you feeling?" Irene asked sweetly, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Mary glared at her, frustration etched all over her face. "I know you did that on purpose and I won't forgive you."
Irene let out a soft chuckle. "Let's just say, in my world… if I can't have it, nobody can and also i don't need your forgiveness, keep it to yourself."
She turned and walked away, leaving Mary standing there, seething.
Unknown to both of them, someone had been quietly listening to their entire conversation.
...
At the Brown Mansion
Irene was sprawled lazily on the couch, her legs crossed as she tapped away at her phone, engrossed in a mobile game. Her fingers moved swiftly over the screen, her expression neutral but focused.
Roland walked in, a folder in hand. He sat beside her, letting out a tired sigh before saying, "Irene, can you help me take this file to the Night Company?"
Irene barely spared him a glance. "And what's that?" she muttered, still tapping furiously on her phone, eyes never leaving the screen.
Roland exhaled, already expecting her reluctance. "It's my friend's company. I just need you to send it over for me."
Irene smirked slightly but kept playing. "That's a company job. Send your secretary."
Before Roland could respond, a cheerful voice interrupted them. "Dad, why don't you send me?"
Victoria ran over to her father, her face lighting up with enthusiasm. "I'll take it for you."
No one noticed the slight pause in Irene's game before she nonchalantly suggested, "Why don't you send her?"