Chapter 293 You Can't Afford That
"Amanda?" Brenda looked up, a trace of irritation flashing in her eyes.
The unfriendly woman in the lavish outfit was an old neighbor-Amanda Doyle.
Amanda was accompanied by a man with a medium build and a tanned complexion.
"This is my boyfriend, Max," Amanda said proudly.
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"Max's father is a renowned director of Luminous Studio in the Terenova branch. It is owned by the Dickers, an elite family from Qurgh."
She barely took a breath, eager to squeeze in every detail of Max Kearney's importance.
Robin smirked slightly.
Pfft, I thought he might be one of the Dickers.
What's there to brag about a director?
Amanda's face lit up, enjoying her moment.
She seemed determined to flaunt every advantage she could.
"Brenda, Max, and I were invited to attend the Terenova Film Festival."
Max's gaze shifted to Brenda, his eyes lingering with a glint of desire.
Interrupting Amanda's boasting, he put on a supposedly gentlemanly smile. "Hello, Ms. Brenda. I'm Max"
Brenda gave a polite nod and instinctively covered her chest.
"Ms. Brenda," Max continued smoothly, "I work in the film industry.
"Your looks and charm could easily make you an actress. It's a shame that you're not in the industry.noveldrama
"I could make your dream come true if you're interested."
Amanda's expression turned ugly when she noticed Max's attention was on Brenda.
Her gaze turned venomous.
Brenda shook her head. "I'm not interested, thank you. I'm actually about to attend Athena University..."
"What?" Amanda burst out laughing. "You're going to Athena University?"
She barely contained her glee.
"That school is for Demberoa's elite and the wealthy. How could you afford it?
"Brenda, we haven't seen each other in a year, and now you're telling such ridiculous lies? It's so funny!"
13.18 Tue, Nov 26
Chapter 293 You Can't Afford That
Her loud voice drew the attention of several customers, making Brenda uneasy.
She flushed and whispered, "Amanda, please keep your voice down. I'm not lying."
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The sales associate, maintaining her composure, politely interjected, "Excuse me, could you lower your voice so as not to disturb the other customers?" Amanda nodded, smiling in mock apology. "Oh, of course. I was just a bit...
surprised."
Then, pointing at Brenda, she continued, "Let me give you a heads-up. Some people come into stores like this just to try things on without buying anything. She's one of those people. "They own a little soup restaurant-barely ten square meters, at that.
"The daily income is barely enough to make ends meet.
"Think about it, how many bowls of soup would she have to sell to afford a dress like that?
"The one she's trying on is priced at 50,000 dollars. There's no way she could buy it!"
The sales associate looked at Brenda with an uncomfortable frown.
In her experience, customers who entered luxury stores typically had the intention to purchase. Amanda pressed on, relentless. "Brenda, let's be honest. You won't earn 50,000 in your whole life." Brenda's face turned scarlet, too overwhelmed to respond.
It was true-such a sum had always felt like an impossible figure for her family.
"Robin... " Brenda murmured, glancing over to him for reassurance.
Amanda and Max finally seemed to notice the tall, handsome man beside her.
Amanda's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Brenda, is this your boyfriend? What does he do?"
Brenda quickly clarified, "No, Amanda. This is Robin."
"Robin?" Amanda scrutinized him.
"I remember now. You're that poor kid from seven years ago, the one who was homeless.
"Didn't you run off?
"I heard you left to work on ships or something..."
Robin, unwilling to engage, shifted to block Amanda from Brenda's view.
He asked her gently, "Brenda, do you like this dress?"
She nodded shyly. "I do, but it's... so expensive..."
Amanda, noticing Robin's indifference, sneered. She assumed he was just embarrassed over his lack of
Chapter 293 You Can't Afford That
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So, she stepped in front of Brenda. "Brenda, look at yourself. Do you think you're fit to wear something like this?
"You can't afford it. Don't pretend otherwise.
"It'll only be worse when you can't pay when it's time to.
"Just take it off now, and don't waste the sales associate's time."
"Max," she then cooed, rubbing her arm against him, "I like this dress too."
Max, though visibly reluctant, maintained an air of magnanimity in front of the crowd.
"We'll buy anything you want."
Amanda's eyes sparkled as she looked back at Brenda. "See, Brenda? You can't afford it. Now, take it off- the dress would suit me much better."
She then instructed the sales associate smugly, "Have her take it off and wrap it up for me."
The associate gave an apologetic smile. I'm sorry, but as we're part of the Rogarios' business, we have strict policies.
"Once a customer has claimed an item, it's no longer available for others regardless of the price offered."
Amanda frowned, feeling her sense of superiority slipping away. "Well, that's assuming they can actually afford it!"
The associate glanced at Brenda and Robin as if to confirm.
Robin looked at her and said, "Wrap up that dress. We're taking it. Wrap up each item that would suit Brenda in this store and send it over tomorrow."
Amanda burst into mocking laughter. "Robin, you're gone for seven years and you're still as poor as ever. How dare you pretend to be some kind of big spender? She turned to the sales associate and said, "He's bluffing. You'll just end up wasting your time if you go along with his act."