Third Person’s POV


    Gloria’s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Thirty–six million eight hundred thousand dors? And they expected her to pay without a <b>second </b>thought?


    The attendant’s smile faltered, now seeming tinged with disdain.


    Humiliation and resentment surged within her. She forced back tears and said to the attendant<b>, </b>We’ll pass<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    She braced for sarcasm, but the attendant remained polite. “Of course, feel free to browse more or visit <b>us </b>again.”


    He gestured for Sabrina to return the box.


    After a long pause, Sabrina still didn’tply.


    “Who said we’re leaving? I want this set. Mother, make Luna Gloria pay,” she insisted.


    Rosemary, though internally recoiling at the price, steeled herself.


    With Adide in the next room and onlookers gathering, she couldn’t afford to lose <i>face</i>.


    Her tone hardened. “Gloria, if you don’t have enough cash, send the attendant to our home to fetch <i>it</i>.”


    Tears welled in Gloria’s eyes as she pleaded, “Let’s go downstairs and pick out a few more pieces there. As Alpha’s daughter of the Ironw Pack, her pride burned, but she couldn’t muster the courage to speak against Rosemary.


    Her wolf ws dug into her palms, desperate for them to leave.


    Jewelry on the first floor wasn’t cheap either. The Golden Jewelry Store didn’t have any low–quality items.


    Sabrina clutched the jewelry box tightly, her silver–gray wolf ears bristling with defiance. “No, I want this set,” she said, her sulfuric pheromones ring like sparks.


    Gloria trembled uncontrobly, her neck nds ming under the onlookers‘ scrutiny. Her iron–gray pupils narrowed to slits.


    More and more heads poked out from neighboring rooms, their mixed pheromones pricking her skin like needles. Humiliation burned within her, almost triggering a partial shift.


    Where would she get so much money?


    Was she to drain her personal assets, even dip into Eugene’s pension?


    Impossible!


    <b>1/8 </b>


    <b>She </b>stood there, trembling and speechless, having never faced such an <b>embarrassing </b>moment in her te


    She turned to leave, but Rosemary’s bony fingers quickly grabbed her sleeve<b>. </b>The aged cer aura enveloped her instantly.


    Her head buzzed as she turned to meet Rosemary’s icy gaze, her pupils barely visible.


    “Why the rush?” Rosemary’s tone was gentle, but her eyes were like frost–tipped ws. “You <b>must </b><b>wait </b>for the attendant.”


    The old Luna’s aura settled over them like frost. Gloria’s breath grew cold.


    “Um…” The shop assistant scanned the scene, his nose detecting conflicting pheromones.


    He was at a loss. He’d never encountered such a situation on the third floor<i>–</i>customers who neither paid nor returned the item. So he asked, “Shall I head to your pack with you to collect the payment?”


    Typically, third–floor customers could take items and settleter, as they were usually regrs and well- known nobles.


    But he didn’t dare suggest this to them, as their chaotic and weak pheromones raised doubts.


    If he let them leave with the hairpiece, there was no guarantee of payment.


    Gloria, trembling, managed a weak, “No!”


    The standoff continued. Gloria kept her head down, avoiding familiar faces–she couldn’t risk losingposure under their stares.


    Zelda peeked out but was gently pulled back by Adide.


    “Don’t get involved,” Adide said, her cedar pheromones wrapping around her like a warm nket.


    “Focus on your own choices.”


    Zelda nodded and returned to browsing the jewelry, though themotion outside asionally distracted her.


    Paisley, arms folded, leaned against the doorframe with a smirk, amused by the unfolding drama. The third–floor rooms had no doors, just beaded curtains often pushed aside to let in light.


    Unless guests asked to lower the curtain fully, attendants wouldn’t block it.


    But why would they?


    On the third floor for jewelry shopping, you might meet someone worth connecting with. With repeated visits, strangers could be acquaintances.


    The store owner, aware of the disturbance, waved over the attendant carrying the jewelry tray and said, “Send the manager up. I’ll attend to Luna Adide and Princess Zelda myself.”


    “Yes.” The attendant set down the tray and hurried off.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    09:02 Fri, 18


    Shortly, a middle–aged man in a green suit arrived upstairs. With a ingratiating smile, he approached Rosemary and the others and asked modestly, “Madam, you may leave the ruby headpiece with us. We’ll


    hold it for you at no cost until you’re ready to collect it.”