<b>Liz </b>didn’t really want to interact with them. She paused<b>, </b>about to <b>call </b>over a sales associate to say she woulde
backter.
But before she could speak, Xena, who was trying on rings, suddenly looked up at her, as if sensing something. Her fingers tightened around the ring. The sharp edges bit into her skin.
Jeff’s words from the night before echoed in her mind. They weren’t exactly painful, but they pricked at her like a splinter she couldn’t shake.
She hadn’t been lucky enough to be born into the right family like Liz. But in every other way, she didn’t think she was any less.
And yet, even Zac’s friend had spoken about her with that same dismissive tone. Like she wasn’t worth mentioning.
She would prove them all wrong. She would show everyone she was just as good as Liz Smith.
Lowering her gaze, Xena quicklyposed herself, then offered a sweet smile. “Ms. Smith, what a coincidence. Are you here to shop for rings too?”
Zac followed her gaze and spotted Liz standing a few feet away.
He immediately remembered her cold expression outside the hospital. He also thought of how foolish he had been to hope she still cared. His face darkened.
Liz nced at him for only a second before looking away, her expression unreadable.
Xena’s smile stiffened. Her fingers were now white from how tightly she still clutched the ring.
“Mr. Lincoln, do you think Ms. Smith doesn’t like me?” she asked in a low voice. “Every time I greet her, she ignores me.”
Zac looked down at her and said gently, “Don’t worry about her. Let’s just focus on what we came for.”
Xena nodded. “Okay.”
A nearby sales associate nced between the two women. “Do you two know each other?”
Jewelry sales came withmission, and in situations like this, colleagues often tried to poach each other’s clients.
Liz replied coolly, “No, we don’t.”
The associate didn’t push further and led her to a disy of bracelets.
After browsing for a few minutes, Liz’s eyesnded on a piece inspired by stars. Tiny diamond–studded stars were scattered across a delicate chain. Under the light, they shimmered like constetions. It was breathtaking and beautiful.
She was just about to ask the associate to wrap it up when a sickly sweet voice chimed in beside her.
“Mr. Lincoln, I really like that star bracelet too.
Zac looked over at the tray in front of the associate. When his eyes fell on the bracelet sparkling under the lights, his face dimmed.
He remembered another star bracelet just like it–the one he had given Liz for her birthday. She used to treasure
<b>+15 </b>BONUS
it, always polishing it carefully before putting it away<b>. </b>But that day in the bridal boutique, she had the shop assistant throw it out, just to spite him.
His expression turned even colder.
Xena noticed his silence. She bit her lip and gently tugged on his sleeve. “Mr. Lincoln…”
Snapping out of it, he looked at her and smiled softly.
“If you like it, ask the associate to wrap it up.”
The associate hesitated. “I’m sorry, Miss. All of our pieces are one–of–a–kind. We only <b>carry </b>one of each design.” Xena’s gaze shifted to Liz. “Ms. Smith, I really love this bracelet. Would you mind letting me have it?”
Liz smiled faintly. It was clear she had no intention of backing down.
“Don’t you understand how ‘firste, first served‘ works? Just because you like something doesn’t mean others are obligated to hand it over.”
Xena’s smile froze. She looked to Zac, her eyes full of hurt.
“It’s fine,” she said softly. “If Ms. Smith won’t give it up, then forget it. Let’s just go.”
Zac turned to Liz. His voice was sharp. “Name your price. I’ll buy it from you.‘
Liz nodded calmly. “Sure. Two hundred million. Then she can have it.”
The moment she said it, both of their faces fell.
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