Chapter 24
[ 643 words ]
Stella found herself sitting in a jewelry boutique.
The sales associate, upon noting the plethora of high-end shopping bags encircling her, realized she was dealing with a VIP customer. Her politeness nearly bordered on servility. “Ms. Quinn, this piece just arrived in our store. It’s the only one of its kind in the entire Portis City. May I suggest you try it on?”
Stella waved dismissively, “Just wrap it up.”
“Right away. And this piece here?”
“Okay, and wrap this, that, and those over there.”
Everything her finger pointed at was the priciest of the lot.
The sales associate, simultaneously shocked and overjoyed, her face blooming like a sunflower, exclaimed, “Absolutely, anything else you fancy? Let me get those ready for you.” She seemed poised to buy out the entire store with her wealth.
Over two hours, Stella’s shopping spree amounted to a staggering two million, amassing a trove of jewels and skincare products until her card finally declined.
Yorick’s call came through soon after, from an unfamiliar number, “Are you shopping?”
“Yeah, did you block the card?”
Yorick gritted his teeth, speechless.
If not block it, how long did she plan to keep spending?
“Do you have any idea how much you’ve spent?”
Stella replied, “Didn’t buy much, how much was it?”
Stella truly thought she didn’t spend much. While to Yorick, her “didn’t buy much” was like pouring gasoline on fire.
Not much? And she’d spent over two million. What if she actually decided to buy “something more”? Would that have cost hundreds of millions?
Stella said, “Come on, don’t you think you’re being a bit stingy as compensation?”
“Compensation?”
“Isn’t it? Given our recent troubles, I thought this was your way of making amends.”
Yorick felt on the verge of passing out from frustration. What did she mean by making amends for those troubles between them? It was she who had been acting out all along. “Just who do you think you are, expecting compensation? I was hoping you’d think over our marriage.”
Stella refused, “Marriage is off the table!”
“And yet you spend my money freely?” Yorick uttered.
Stella replied, “Being your fiancée for two years without touching a dime of your money, I figure it’s about time I indulged a little.”
Not one to shy away from desires, Stella believed in taking what was offered without holding back.
Seeing Yorick lost for words in exasperation, Stella asked, “So, will you reactivate the card?”
Yorick was rendered speechless. His frustration deepened. In just two hours, she’d burned through two million, and she expected him unblocking the card?
“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”
Stella chuckled, “Why would you think that? Am I that kind of person? It’s just been ages since I’ve treated myself to a little luxury.”
Yorick sneered, “As if you’ve ever lived a life of luxury before.”
“Consider your compensation delivered. Now, it’s time to seriously think about us, and about Tegan.”
With that, Yorick abruptly ended the call, hoping today’s splurge would make her reconsider for the sake of unlocking his card again. Thinking of it, Yorick supposed the only thing he needed was to wait.
…
Meanwhile, Stella, laden with numerous bags, entered her office, followed by shopping carts filled to the brim, delivered directly from the boutique.
Tabitha, her eyes nearly popping out at the sight, exclaimed, “Boss, did you hit the jackpot today?”
Stella, placing a cart filled with high-end skincare products in front of Tabitha, declared, “Consider it a bonus for everyone.”
Tabitha’s jaw dropped. Skincare sets worth thousands, now employee benefits?
“This, this…”
“Everyone gets a share.”
The announcement left everyone in the studio in utter disbelief. It was merely a small studio, and their benefits seemed surprisingly good.
“Thank you, boss!” Tabitha shouted, though inwardly, she winced at the cost for Stella. After all, the studio had more than twenty employees. But Stella’s face betrayed no sign of regret.
No sooner had Stella returned to her office than an international call came through on her cell.
It was unlisted, yet as Stella saw the number, her pupil shrank instinctively.
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