Chapter 0108
Serenaâs POV
+25 BONUS
Eden Jonasâs perfectly arched eyebrows lift as he examines a pair of earrings, and a smirk plays on his lips as he turns to one of his friends.
âEden, these are to die for. What do you think?â the friend asks, holding up the earrings.
He tilts his head, considering. âTheyâre fabulous, darling. Perfect for your next event.â
I steel myself and step forward. âWelcome to our shop! Is there anything I can help you with today?â
Edenâs eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I think I see a flicker of recognition. His smirk widens. âAh, the talented Serena Nixon herself. Your pieces are exquisite. We were just admiring your latest collection.â
âThank you,â I reply, keeping my voice steady. âIâm glad you like them.â
He gestures to his friends. âWeâre just browsing for now, but we might need your expert opinion later.â
âOf course,â I say, nodding. âFeel free to look around and let me know if you need anything.â
As I step back, Stevie sidles up to me, her eyes wide. âIsnât that Eden Jonas?â she whispers.
âYeah,â I mutter, keeping my voice low. âLetâs hope he keeps things civil.â
Stevie raises an eyebrow. âWith Eden, you never know.â
While we assist other customers, the influencers start to get more disruptive. One of the girls knocks over a display of bracelets, laughing as she tries to put them back haphazardly. Another starts loudly
complaining about the lighting, insisting it doesnât do justice to her photos.
âCan someone fix these lights?â the girl with the blue hair demands. âI need the perfect shot.â
Stevie steps in, trying to smooth things over. âWeâll see what we can do, but please be careful with the displays.â
Eden, meanwhile, is making a show of trying on various pieces, commenting loudly to his friends. âThis one is cute, but not quite my style. What do you think, darlings?â
One of the other guys, dressed in an oversized hoodie and designer sneakers, scoffs. âLooks like something my grandma would wear.â
Before I can respond, a new voice cuts in. âActually, I think these pieces are incredibly elegant. But then again, recognizing true artistry requires a bit of taste.â
We all turn to see a woman who had been browsing quietly in the corner. Sheâs dressed modestly but fashionably in a classic trench coat over a tailored dress, her dark hair swept up in a chic bun. Her poise and understated style make her stand out in stark contrast to the loud, flashy group.
Edenâs smirk falters slightly. âOh, really?â he says, his tone dripping with condescension. âAnd who might you be?â
Stevieâs eyes widen even more, and she grabs my arm, whispering excitedly, âOh my God! Thatâs Taylor Claire Vanderbilt! Sheâs a socialite and a fashion icon.â
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Chapter 0108
+25 BONUS
Taylor steps forward with a calm confidence, but her smile is razorâsharp. âIâm Taylor Vanderbilt. Stop pretending you donât know who I am, Eden.â
Eden laughs nervously, adjusting the cuff of his velvet blazer. âOh, Taylor, I didnât recognize you for a moment there. How could I forget?â
He gives a slight sneer. âStill using Daddyâs money to fund your little shopping sprees, I see.â
Taylorâs smile remains fixed, her eyes cold. âAnd yet, even with all that âDaddyâs money,â I have more class in my little finger than you have in your entire body, Eden.â
Edenâs smirk falters again, and he quickly looks away, muttering something to his friends. The group exchanges uneasy glances, clearly thrown off by Taylorâs presence.
Sensing the tension escalating, I step in, raising my hands slightly in a gesture of peace. âLetâs all just take a moment. We donât want any trouble here.â
Eden shoots me a smirk. âDonât worry. Weâre on our way out.â He turns to his friends. âLetâs grab a few pieces and go.â
The group shifts, now seemingly eager to make a purchase. Eden selects the pair of earrings he had admired earlier, the girl with blue hair picks up a delicate necklace, and another friend grabs a bracelet. They move to the counter as they make loud clatter.
Stevie rings them up. âThatâll be $2,350 altogether.â
Eden hands over a sleek black credit card with a flourish. âKeep it classy, darlings.â
The payment goes through, and Stevie carefully places the jewelry in elegant bags, handing them o with a polite smile. âThank you for your purchase.â
Eden winks at her. âAlways a pleasure.â
The bell chimes as they leave, their presence lingering like an unpleasant aftertaste. Stevie lets out a long sigh, turning to me. âWell, that was something.â
I nod, leaning against the counter. âIt sure was.â
Taylor approaches us, extending her hand. âThank you for the excellent service. Iâm Taylor, by the way.â
I shake her hand. âNice to meet you, Taylor. Iâm Serena, and this is Stevie. Thank you for stepping in back
there.â
Taylor smiles warmly, her demeanor shifting to a friendlier tone. âIt was my pleasure. Your work is beautiful, and I couldnât stand by and let them insult it. saw your pieces at the fashion show. Front row, by the way. Iâm a huge fan.â
Stevie looks like sheâs about to burst with excitement. canât believe youâre here! I follow you on I******* m. Your fashion sense is incredible.â
Taylor laughs softly. âThatâs very kind of you. Iâm always on the lookout for unique and beautiful pieces, and Iâve certainly found some here. If you two arenât doing anything after closing, Iâd love to take you out for coffee.â
I glance at Stevie, who nods enthusiastically. âWeâd love to,â I say, smiling.