C11 Pretend!

Green Pavilion was renowned as the most prestigious jewelry store in the area, showcasing an array of the finest gemstones behind its gleaming glass displays. It was the go-to destination for exquisite jewelry—if one could gain entry.

Upon their arrival at Green Pavilion, they were greeted by a beaming saleswoman. "Welcome," she offered warmly. "My name is Layla, the sales manager. How may I assist you today?"

Layla's eyes lingered on Zoie's striking beauty, then shifted to Rollins, who was dressed simply in a white T-shirt and faded jeans. She couldn't help but speculate: a man married to such a beauty must be hiding his wealth. Perhaps he was an undercover billionaire?

"We're interested in browsing some jewelry, perhaps a necklace or earrings," Zoie said, scanning the room.

"Right this way," Layla responded with a smile, leading them to a wooden glass cabinet. She pointed to a jade pendant inside. "How about this piece? The jade's luster is exceptional, and it would complement your beauty perfectly."

Rollins took a brief look. Even through the cabinet, the jade pendant shone brilliantly. It was a masterful carving of the Maitreya Buddha, the craftsmanship meticulous, the material top-notch. From his experience, he estimated the pendant's value to be no less than ten million.

He noticed Zoie's eyes sparkled with an irrepressible fondness for the pendant. Reflecting on the fact that he hadn't bought her a gift since their wedding, Rollins thought this pendant might be the perfect present. He turned to Layla and inquired, "May we try it on?"

Zoie tugged at his arm, whispering urgently, "That jade must be incredibly expensive. Let's consider other options."

"It's fine. Go ahead and try it on," Rollins insisted.

Layla's smile faltered at his request. To her, trying it on was a clear sign they couldn't afford it—she despised those who pretended to be buyers. The pendant was priced at 15 million, with the lowest acceptable offer being 13 million. Selling it would mean a hefty commission of half a million, and Layla had been longing for the chance to make that sale. She had pegged Rollins as a discreet high-roller, but now she was beginning to doubt, wondering if he was just another pretender.

Her heart sank with disappointment, and anger bubbled up inside her.

He probably just wanted to snap a photo while trying it on, then show off to his friends.

She'd encountered far too many like him!

They were nothing but cheap, pathetic losers!

With that thought, her expression turned icy. "So, you're just a bunch of broke nobodies, wasting my time." She locked the display case with a sneer and said emotionlessly to Rollins, "I'm sorry, but this piece of jade is the crown jewel of our collection. If you can't afford it, don't bother trying it on."

Rollins frowned. "How do you know I can't afford it? We're customers. What's the problem with trying it on?" he asked.

Layla's contempt was palpable. He was clearly just another broke customer. Only those who can't afford it would dare to say such things!

"This jade is worth tens of millions. If you can't afford it and just want to take a photo for your social media, I'd advise against trying it on. You might damage it and not be able to pay for it, and that could land you in jail," she said with a haughty air, arms crossed and a look of disdain on her face.

Hearing the jade's price, Zoie gasped and quickly tugged at Rollins, whispering urgently, "This jade is way too expensive. Let's look at something else."

Their exchange drew the attention of several bystanders who began to whisper contemptuously, "They have no shame, trying on something they can't afford. They just want to show off, don't they?"

"With his outfit, how could he possibly match such a fine piece of jade?"

"There are too many fools around these days. Did you hear about the old man at Propitious Hall? He wanted to see a vase from the Song Dynasty, tried to sneak a photo, and guess what happened?"

"What?"

"He dropped the vase and had to pay eight million in damages!"

"Seriously, some people..."

The murmurs of the onlookers made Zoie's family shrink in embarrassment.

Especially her father, Hasten, who wished he could disappear into the ground and never emerge.

Tracy glared at Rollins, her expression fierce. If it weren't for his insistence on trying on the pendant, they wouldn't be subjected to Layla's mockery. He was infuriating!

Rollins, irritated by Layla's taunting, retorted, "How do you know I can't afford it? If it looks good on my wife, the price doesn't matter."

"Don't kid yourself! I doubt you could even afford our 100,000 yuan jades. Stop blowing smoke!"

Layla flew into a rage, cursing out loud. She had thought he was wealthy, but it turned out he was just a pauper!

Her mood, which had been so pleasant, was completely soured by this family of paupers!

With a dismissive wave of her hand, Layla summoned a male sales associate. "Walker, show them the jades that are under a hundred thousand. That's more their speed."

"We'll just browse on our own..."

Tracy's face turned beet red with embarrassment. She couldn't help but think how different things would be if Zoie had married a young master like Kasch. Why did they have to endure such humiliation?

Little did she know, Rollins, the man Zoie had married, could easily purchase the entire Green Pavilion if he so desired.

Gritting her teeth, Tracy made her way through the bargain section, her heart not in it. She hastily chose a fifty-thousand-yuan platinum necklace to serve as Elena's dowry.

After paying, they were met with jeers from the onlookers.

"Look at them, so poor, only able to afford a fifty-thousand-yuan necklace, yet they dared to try on jewelry worth over ten million!"

Tracy felt uncomfortable under their judgmental gazes. After settling the bill, she turned to her family with a frosty expression. "Let's get out of here. This day has been utterly humiliating! Rollins, this is all your fault!"

"Mom, you go on ahead. I've got some things to take care of and will follow shortly."

Rollins cast a glance at Layla, who was smirking disdainfully behind the counter. A resolve settled in his heart—it was time to give her a lesson she wouldn't forget.