Chapter 43
Edith felt even more dejected after her best friend inadvertently struck a chord with her
words.
After finishing the last piece of cake, she said, “Forget it. Let’s not talk about this. I need to go shopping for clothes tomorrow. Are you free?”
Bonnie playfully flipped her hair, replying, “I’d love to go with you, but…”
“I get it. I’ll go by myself!” Edith cut Bonnic off, not wanting to hear any more of Bonnie’s exaggerated remarks.
Bonnie chuckled, “Why the sudden need to buy clothes? Is there a special reason? I heard you’ve been hanging out a lot with Shane lately?”
To her, Edith had always been someone who cared little for dressing up ог fashion.
Edith sighed, thinking, ‘Bonnie is great in many ways, but she’s just too nosy, especially about relationships. She’s always eager to play matchmaker.
She explained, “My relationship with Shane is like you and me, just friends. I’m actually attending a treasure appraisal meeting where high society people will be present. I need to dress appropriately. I can’t exactly go in the clothes I have in my wardrobe, can I?”
Bonnie teased, “Well, you should also keep an eye out for ‘treasures‘ at the meeting.”
“Worry about yourself first,” Edith retorted, giving Bonnie a stern look.
They locked eyes, finally unable to hold themselves back as they burst into laughter.
By the time they paid the bill and were about to leave, Ruben had built a castle out of building blocks, and Jeanne was clapping happily beside him.
Bonnie scooped Ruben up and praised, “My godson is so impressive!”
“If you like kids so much, hurry up and get married and have one of your own,” Edith said teasingly to Bonnie as she held Jeanne in her arms.
Bonnie, known for being all talk but no action, was unlikely to follow through with her words.
After a fulfilling meal, they went their separate ways.
Edith had repaired the excavated clay statue, and based on its patterns and inscriptions, the project team had a new research direction, making things in the lab even busier.
Chapter 43
Edith had planned to leave work early to go shopping, but she got so caught up in her work that it was already 8 o’clock at night by the time she finished.
She emerged from the room where the artifact fragments were kept, looking disheveled.
In a rush to buy clothes before the stores closed, Edith quickly washed her face and left without even changing her clothes.
Wearing dusty work pants and canvas shoes, Edith headed to a high–end fashion store. without any makeup on.
Just as she was about to pick something from the new arrivals and leave, a sales assistant approached her, blocking her path. “Excuse me, miss, are you here to buy clothes?”
Edith found the question oddly phrased and replied somewhat incredulously, “What else would I be doing here? It’s not like this is a place to eat, right?”
The sales associate sized her up with a hint of disdain but managed to bring it under control in light of her professional ethics.
She said tactfully, “Do you have something specific in mind to buy? How familiar are you with our brand and its positioning?”
Edith realized what the assistant meant. She was judging her for her sloppy attire which was presumably unfit for their store.
Annoyed, she thought, ‘What era are we living in? How can there still be judgmental sales associates like this.”
With her arms crossed, Edith retorted, “How would I know what to buy if I don’t look around? No matter the brand positioning, this is just a clothing store. Am I supposed to research every store before I enter?”
She pondered sarcastically, ‘It’s not like it’s an antique. Why should I waste my time. understanding it?
The sales associate was left speechless by her comeback.
Upon seeing the salesperson fall silent, Edith continued browsing the shelves.
However, someone else stepped in to stop her before she could even look at the other clothes.
“Miss, these are our limited–edition new arrivals which are quite expensive. Touching them too much affects sales. Perhaps I could show you our clearance section instead?”
Edith looked at the person, who appeared to be the manager, given their different
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badges and attires.
She narrowed her eyes, thinking. ‘Oh, another fool?‘
With a cold expression, Edith replied, “How do you know I
alford it?”
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The manager, finding her difficult, quickly changed her tone. “Perhaps the previous associate didn’t explain clearly. Buying clothes here requires financial verification. If you don’t have enough funds, let’s not waste cach other’s time.”
Edith laughed in disbelief.
She asked, “Verifying finances just to buy clothes, are you serious?”
The manager nodded, thinking of Edith as ignorant as she said with contempt, “Yes, we do require financial verification. Miss, if you’re not buying, please leave and don’t disrupt our business.”
Edith glanced around and actually liked some of the clothes, but given their attitude, she felt extremely displeased.
She thought to herself with irritation, I would be a fool if I ended up buying clothes from them!”
The manager was about to say more when she caught sight of someone entering the store and immediately left Edith, excitedly greeting the new arrival.
“Mr. Peterson, what would you like to buy? We just received a new collection yesterday. Shall I show you to our VIP room?”
Coincidentally, the person who entered was Gideon.
Gideon ignored the manager and turned to Edith, saying, “Pick whatever you like. I’ll pay for it.”
“Do you two know each other?” The manager was visibly surprised and quickly changed her attitude.
She turned to Edith and asked with a fawning smile, “Miss, why didn’t you tell me earlier that you are friends with Mr. Peterson? If I had known, I would have taken you to the VIP room to make your selection!”
Edith was somewhat impressed with the manager’s ability to change her demeanor so quickly.
She replied sarcastically, “I thought I didn’t meet your financial verification requirement. Weren’t you about to ask me to leave?”
Chapter 43
Standing next to Gideon, the manager felt an overwhelming chill and couldn’t help but shiver.
With a forced smile, she chuckled awkwardly, “It was a misunderstanding. You seemed to like this dress earlier, and it’s the last one we have. How about I give you a discount?”
Edith really liked the dress but she no longer wanted it now.
She stared straight at Gideon and asked, “Are you buying me clothes?”
“Go ahead and choose.”
After Gideon uttered those words, he handed Edith a black card and added, “There’s no spending limit. It should be enough for your selection.”
The manager’s eyes sparkled even brighter than Edith’s.
She thought to herself with excitement, ‘If I can close this deal, I won’t have to worry about my sales targets for the rest of the year.”
The manager then gestured politely, saying, “Miss, there are many more outfits that would suit your style in the VIP room. Do follow me this way!”
Edith casually toyed with the black card in her hands and said nonchalantly, “Oh? What kind of style do I have? A poor and shabby style?”
“You really misunderstand me! I didn’t mean that!” The manager was sweating profusely, visibly panicked.
Edith tossed the card up in the air and caught it effortlessly.
She turned and confidently said to Gideon, “Mr. Peterson, I prefer the clothes in the store next door. Let’s go!”
Edith strode ahead proudly, and Gideon had no choice but to follow her.
In a bid to spite the sales associate from the previous store, she impulsively bought three limited–edition dresses.
Gideon frowned, asking, “Are you sure that’s all you want?”
Edith shoved the card back into his hand. “Don’t worry, I won’t use your money.”
She had deliberately put on a show for the manager of the previous store.
Gideon’s frown deepened upon realizing that Edith had misunderstood him.
He tossed the card onto the counter and gestured at the clothes racks. “Pack up all the
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clothes hanging on this row and that one, too.”
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“Of course, right away!” The store employee beamed with delight and quickly called for assistance to pack the clothes.
Edith was left speechless and bewildered, staring at Gideon as if he were insane.
She thought to herself, ‘Although I wanted to do the same, this is just too extravagant! How much money would it cost for two rows of limited editions? I don’t want to end up returning the six million dollars I just received!
