Chapter 47: Who is he?
Clara turned slightly as she caught movement from the corner of her eye. A group of boutique staff walked swiftly past her, arms laden with an armory of luxurious gowns in protective garment bags, shoes boxed in sleek designer packaging, and a velvet tray displaying glittering jewelry. The collection wasn’t just exquisite—it was exclusive, the kind reserved for private showcases or red-carpet clients.
Her eyes narrowed.
One piece, in particular, caught her attention: an emerald necklace resting in the center of the tray like a crown jewel. The stones were deep green, cut in perfect symmetry, set in a delicate vine of platinum. It would match her gown perfectly—a strapless emerald silk creation fitted to her curves and already causing Adrian to take endless photos for her social feed.
Clara’s heels clicked across the marble floor as she approached the closest attendant.
"Excuse me," she said, voice calm but authoritative. "That necklace—bring it here. I want to see it up close."
The young staff member stopped, clearly startled. She glanced between Clara and the tray, hesitating.
"I’m sorry, ma’am, but that piece is reserved for a VIP appointment," the staffer said apologetically. "It’s not currently available for general browsing."
Clara blinked.
Then she laughed. "Oh, sweetheart," she said, stepping forward with a condescending smile. "I am the VIP. Bring me the necklace. I doubt anyone in this store ranks higher than Adrian and me."
The attendant gave a small bow. "My sincerest apologies, but this order was placed ahead of time by one of our most exclusive clients. We’ve been preparing for this visit for days. The items are strictly pre-selected."
Clara’s eyes narrowed. "Who is this client?"