Chapter 363
Chapter 363:
Bella, meanwhile, was already engrossed in exploring the displays. “Mom, what do you think about this one?” she asked, holding up a bracelet, her voice tinged with excitement.
Donna studied the bracelet for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly. “That one might be a bit too mature for you,” she said thoughtfully. “Why not pick something a little more refreshing p>
“Alright,” Bella replied, her tone betraying her disappointment. She had deliberately chosen that bracelet not for its aesthetic appeal but for its hefty price tag. In Bella’s mind, more expensive equated to better quality, and the bracelet’s value could serve as a future investment. It was a practical, albeit calculated, decision.
Since her encounter with the strange man at the mall, Bella had been haunted by a persistent unease. The memory of his piercing gaze lingered, accompanied by an ominous sense of foreboding that made her stomach twist. Yet, what disturbed her most was a flicker of familiarity, like a puzzle piece she couldn’t place.
The thought terrified her, but she resolved to push it aside. Dwelling on it would only feed her anxiety. After all, she was still the Harris family’s daughter, and that was all that mattered.
Bella shook off her troubling thoughts, determined to make the most of their visit. It wasn’t every day they came to Sterling and Grace, and she wasn’t about to waste the opportunity. With renewed focus, she continued browsing through the collection, her eyes scanning the glittering pieces for the perfect choice.
Meanwhile, Donna picked up a delicate lavender-colored jade bracelet from one of the displays. She held it out, her face lighting up with enthusiasm. “Yelena, dear, what do you think of this one? I feel it suits you perfectly. Look at the color and size—it’s as if it was made just for you p>
Yelena’s eyes narrowed, and her brow furrowed as she studied it carefully. Finally, she spoke, her tone steady but firm. “Mom, there’s something off about this bracelet. It’s a fake p>
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The words hit the air like a thunderclap.
Donna’s expression froze in disbelief, her fingers still clutching the bracelet. “What? Are you serious? A fake?” Yelena nodded, her expression grave.
“How is that possible? You shouldn’t say such things without thinking twice, Yelena. Sterling and Grace would never sell fake goods.” Bella shot Yelena a look, silently willing her to take the words back. Had Yelena lost her mind? If someone had heard her talking like that, they’d surely get booted out. What was Yelena even thinking?
Frustrated, Bella couldn’t shake the feeling that Yelena’s blunt statement had just turned what was supposed to be a relaxing outing into a potential disaster.
“I understand what you’re saying,” Yelena replied calmly, her gaze steady. “But this bracelet is indeed a fake.” One of the nearby sales assistants, visibly flustered, stepped forward. “Miss, please be cautious with your accusations,” the assistant said, her voice tinged with anxiety. “Claiming our products are counterfeit could severely harm our reputation. Sterling and Grace has never dealt with anything fake p>
Another assistant chimed in, her tone more defensive. “This is a century-old establishment known for its high standards. It’s simply impossible for us to carry anything counterfeit p>
Yelena remained unfazed. She lifted the bracelet to eye level, her expression sharp with conviction. “Look closely! Notice the color? Genuine jadeite has a rich, uneven hue, with natural variations that reflect its authenticity. Artificial ones, however, have a uniform color, lacking depth, and often show signs of dye sedimentation if you examine it carefully p>
She gently ran her fingers over the bracelet, continuing her analysis. “And the texture? True jade feels smooth and refined, almost like touching a fine balm. This piece, however, feels entirely different. The texture is way rougher and doesn’t have that natural, polished finish. This is unmistakably fake.” Her resolute tone left no room for argument, and the assistants shifted uneasily.
Their confident composure faltered in the face of Yelena’s detailed and precise assessment. Customers typically trusted Sterling and Grace’s longstanding reputation without question. No one had ever scrutinized the merchandise so closely, let alone accused the store of selling counterfeits.