Aiden Knight's POV
The silence in the Armani store stretches like a taut wire ready to snap. I watch Chloe's face drain of color as the reality of the price hits her. Three hundred ninety thousand yuan. Her hand trembles slightly as it hovers near her purse.
Behind us, Ruby Mills barely contains her glee. This is exactly what she was hoping for - public humiliation served on a silver platter.
"Take your time, dear," Ruby says, her voice dripping with false concern. "These things can be quite... overwhelming for some people."
I see Chloe's shoulders tense. She's fighting back tears, drowning in embarrassment. This woman tried to defend me, to show the world I was worth something, and now she's paying the price for her loyalty.
The sales attendant shifts uncomfortably, clearly sensing the tension. "Perhaps you'd like to consider one of our more reasonably priced options?"
"No," Chloe says quietly, her voice barely audible. "We'll take this one."
