Chapter 214
Chapter 214:
Addie wasn’t about to give up that easily. She spun toward Sophie, her eyes hard. “Ten grand, right now. Hand over that emerald p>
Sophie didn’t hesitate for a beat. “Nope. Not happening p>
Addie stared as if Sophie had sprouted two heads. “You’re just some employee! Swapping emeralds won’t even dent your paycheck. Why are you being so stubborn? You’d be walking away with ten grand, just like that! Not enough for you? Fine, I’ll throw in another five p>
Sophie saw how Addie, now dating a rich man, was throwing money around like it was nothing. “I said no. I’m keeping the emerald p>
Addie’s face tightened. “Thirty thousand.” She pushed harder, like money should fix everything. “Seriously, Sophie? You should know when to bow out. Don’t be greedy p>
Sophie almost laughed—not from humor, but from irritation. Why did people always assume cash could buy anything?
She stood firmer. “I told you. No p>
Addie’s face burned with humiliation. She hadn’t been dying for the emerald at first, but the refusal made it feel like the prize everyone wanted.
With no luck getting Sophie to cave, Addie turned to Karen, bargaining hard. “How much are you getting for it? I’ll double whatever she pays you and throw in thirty grand on top. Just sell it to me p>
She was bent on getting the emerald.
Meanwhile, Karen looked torn. Thirty grand glinted like a promise, but she knew their reputation mattered far more than a one-time cash windfall. In places like the Emerald Arcade, credibility was everything.
𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯
She shook her head, regret clear on her face. “Can’t do it, miss. We don’t trade like that. Deals mean something here. More than money p>
The room buzzed around them, and Addie’s anger flared hotter at being turned down twice. Her fury curdled into something ugly.
“Fine,” she spat, her voice sharp enough to cut. “That’s just great! You all think you can laugh at me? Okay. If I can’t have it, no one will p>
In one vicious move, she snatched the emerald from the table and slammed it down on the floor. The gem shattered into green fragments, scattering across the polished surface.
The VIP lounge fell into stunned silence, every mouth hanging open.
Addie stood there with a cruel little grin, savoring the chaos and enjoying the sight of Sophie’s shocked, white face. “Oops, clumsy me,” she said, mocking innocence. “But hey, I can pay for it p>
She dug out her wallet and flashed a credit card at Karen. “How much damage? I’ll cover it p>
Then she turned back to Sophie with a smug, almost taunting look. “This will be nothing for me. But you? Good luck explaining this to your client p>
Sophie felt sick looking at the broken pieces—all those hours and choices reduced to glitter on the floor. Anger rose, but so did helplessness. How did she keep running into people who thought smashing things proved power?
She forced herself to speak, turning to Maura. “I’m so sorry. I’ll find you another piece p>
Maura had watched the whole mess without flinching. She laid a calm hand on Sophie’s and spoke in a voice that didn’t tremble. “Forget it. Don’t waste your time p>
Addie’s grin only widened at that. She leaned forward, her voice sweet as poison. “Ma’am, you’re the client, right? Sorry for the mess, but seriously, your designer can’t even look after a stone. If you want to place a custom order on jewelry, come to my studio. For the trouble, I’ll slice half off the price p>
She crowed loud enough for half the lounge to hear. “Listen, I hate seeing Sophie get whatever she wants. I’ll smash whatever she picks before anyone can supply her. Let’s see who dares to risk doing business with her now p>