Chapter 17
Chapter 17:
“Do you know what brand this is?” she asked, her tone cool but razor-sharp. “This is a Moda Style limited edition coat. The cash you threw at me wouldn’t even cover a few stitches of it p>
Tatiana rolled her eyes, laughing disdainfully. “Limited edition? From you? You must think I’m a fool. Don’t pretend your bargain-bin trash is designer. This is nothing but a pathetic attempt at blackmail p>
Yelena tilted her head slightly, her calm demeanor only fueling Tatiana’s frustration. “We’re in Moda Style,” she said simply, gesturing to their surroundings. “Verification is just a conversation away p>
“Fine!” Tatiana snapped. “Let’s verify it and put an end to this ridiculous charade p>
Before long, a sales associate was summoned. She examined the coat with practiced precision, her fingers tracing the fabric and label. “This trench coat is indeed a Moda Style limited edition. It’s unique—one of a kind—and among our most exclusive designs p>
The sales associate’s tone was steady as she delivered the final blow. “Additionally, given the delicate nature of the materials, this stain will require professional cleaning at our facility p>
Tatiana and Sonya froze, their confidence unraveling. The coat was genuine—there was no denying it now.
Tatiana, eager to brush the matter aside, waved dismissively. “Fine. It’s just cleaning. Put it on my card. I don’t have time for this nonsense.” She thrust her card toward the associate with an air of irritation, her impatience palpable.
The sales associate took the card and stepped away to process the payment. A few moments passed, and then another, until she returned with an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, ma’am. The card has insufficient funds p>
Tatiana blinked, the words not fully registering. “What?” She snatched the card back, glaring at it as though the problem lay in its surface. “There should be over a hundred thousand in that account! Are you seriously telling me that’s not enough to clean a coat p>
𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺: ⳑ𝗮𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⸬𝖼𝗈𝗺
The sales associate’s professionalism didn’t waver. “I’m afraid not, ma’am. The cleaning fee for this specific item is two hundred thousand p>
“Two hundred thousand?” Tatiana’s voice rose in disbelief, her words sharp enough to turn heads in the store. “For cleaning p>
Sonya, her face flushed with indignation, stepped forward. “This is outrageous! Some kind of scam, no doubt p>
The sales associate met Sonya’s glare with calm authority. “Our pricing is transparent, ma’am. The materials require specialized care, hence the price; and rest assured that we’ll provide an official invoice to confirm the charges p>
Tatiana’s face darkened, her anger seeping through her controlled exterior.
Yelena’s voice remained steady, but a sharp edge sliced through her calm tone. “What’s wrong? Struggling with the cleaning fee? If two hundred thousand is too much, there’s always another option.” She paused, her gaze cold and unrelenting. “Get down on your knees and bark like a dog. Do that, and maybe—just maybe—I’ll consider waiving the fee p>
Tatiana’s face turned crimson, her fury bubbling over. “How dare you? Do you think we’re as destitute as you are? Two hundred thousand is nothing to us p>
Her hands shook as she pulled out her phone and dialed Jonathan, the one person she trusted to untangle this mess.
The line connected almost instantly, but instead of the calm reassurance she expected, Jonathan’s voice roared through the receiver. “Where the hell are you two? Get back here immediately. Something’s happened p>