April ignored the fuming James and approached a flustered Shirley Taylor, gently taking her hand and comforting her:
"I saw everything earlier. He forced you to change clothes. He's only satisfying his own desires, not genuinely interested in you..."
"Guys like him, arrogant playboys, deceive innocent girls like you. Don't fall for it, little sister."
Being held by April, another woman, Shirley Taylor felt slightly more at ease.
Casting a shy glance at James, she noticed his displeased expression and worried he might be angry. Timidly, she explained:
"My rival's brother is kind, I trust him."
April cast a disdainful glance at James, retorting:
"All men are the same, untrustworthy."
Once upon a time, she was a pure, naive girl until deceived by a scumbag, left with nothing.
Since then, she has trusted no man, developing an interest in women instead.
"Come with me, don't mind that jerk,"
April said, attempting to lead Shirley Taylor away.
"I can't leave," Shirley Taylor stammered anxiously, trying to free her hand but finding it firmly held.
"Why? Because he bought you clothes?"
April, looking at the innocent Shirley Taylor, declared brazenly:
"If it's money you need, I have it too. I'll buy this dress for you."
Sensing something odd about April's vibe, Shirley Taylor quickly shook her head, saying:
"No need, no need; I have my own money."
"Sweetie, only a woman truly understands another woman's happiness. Being with a man who only values you for your looks won't bring you joy."
Caressing Shirley's hand, April earnestly said:
"How much is he paying you? I can match it. Accompany me, and I'll give you ten thousand dollars a month."
Hearing mention of money, Shirley Taylor recalled the three million plus James had given her.
Calculated as ten thousand a month,
3.17 million would take twenty-six and a half years to complete.
By then, she'd be nearly fifty.
Moreover, April seemed to have ulterior motives, combined with her unsettlingly affectionate gestures.
Terrified, Shirley struggled to break free, nervously apologizing:
"Sorry... I don't want your money."
"If that's not enough, I can offer more,"
April, reluctant to let go of such a pure and enticing girl, persisted no matter what.
"Let go of that girl,"
James finally caught on to April's intentions, immediately shouting.
The line had played in his head countless times, now delivered with commanding fervor.
As his words fell, the store fell silent,
and April, caught off guard by his shout, stood there, stunned.
James strode over, pulling Shirley from her grip and stared at April with fierce anger:
"Damn it, what makes you think you can lay hands on my girlfriend?"
Shaken from her trance, April placed a hand on her hip, pointing at James with the other, her voice sharp:
"Who are you calling stupid?"
Being a woman, April was naturally seen as part of a weaker group, but with some family wealth, she was accustomed to acting haughty.
Never had anyone dared insult her this way.
"Only someone truly stupid would need the insult repeated to understand," James sneered.
"You..." April, lacking much experience in arguments, pointed at James, unable to retort.
The sales assistant, seeing the commotion, hurried over to mediate.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public space, please mind your manners..."
Suppressing his anger, James coldly huffed:
"I won't stoop to your level."
Some women these days are adept at exploiting vulnerability.
Arguing with them only results in more hassle.
James preferred to avoid any bizarre women like April.
Turning tenderly to Shirley Taylor, he asked:
"Are you alright?"
Shirley gently shook her head, visibly shaken but unharmed.
Seeing this, James decided not to linger further, instructing the sales assistant:
"Wrap up all the clothes you showed her, including this one. We'll take them all."
Eavesdropping on the commotion, bystanders were startled. The clothes here weren't cheap.
Each piece cost thousands, some even over ten thousand.
To casually order them all without checking prices, this guy was definitely loaded.
April also recognized his lavish demeanor. Among the crowd's gazes, she said nothing further, merely glaring at him threateningly.
Privately pleased, the sales assistant felt grateful for her hard work with this wealthy client.
"Well worth the effort," she mused aloud, respectfully asking: "Are you a member, sir?"
"No," James replied curtly.
"With a membership, you'd get discounts. Buying these pieces would upgrade your card to diamond status, giving you a 12% discount," the assistant eagerly pitched.
"No need. Not worth the hassle for such a small amount,"
James then turned to Shirley Taylor, saying, "Now that you have clothes, let's get you some new underwear."
Settled now, Shirley blushed at the mention of buying underwear, murmuring softly:
"No need."
"Come on, head to toe, inside and out, everything needs renewing,"
James said, a playful grin on his face.
Witnessing their intimacy, April's expression soured, mockingly snapping:
"What's there to flaunt? Got some filthy rich for what, huh?"
"Just alright, certainly not as wealthy as you. Couldn't possibly offer ten thousand dollars for someone's company,"
James, despite disliking April, remained gracious about comments critiquing his wealth.
Embarrassed by her earlier proposition, April found her voice sharpening with anger:
"Spending your parents' money on girls not bothering you? If it weren't for them, who would you be?"
She, still not content, turned to Shirley Taylor furiously:
"I advise you against staying with someone like him for money, it'll only ruin your life."
Shirley Taylor glanced down submissively, evoking pity.
James couldn't bear it either, but engaging in a shouting match was undesirable, especially with Jay Johnson's absence.
Using experience, he knew arguing led to no winners, and unresolved nights replayed badly.
Adjusting tactics,
James lazily scratched his ear, addressing the sales assistant:
"What's going on here, ma'am? Why is there a fly buzzing around, ruining the shopping mood?"
The assistant, siding with James after a brief thought, urged diplomatically:
"Miss, please refrain from affecting others."
"Did I say something untrue? Just because he's rich, he can do whatever? Can't you see this girl's obviously duped by him?" April pressed on.
"Miss, they're a genuine couple; please refrain from malicious assumptions."
Polite yet firm, the assistant continued, "Insisting will mean bringing in security to maintain order."
The implication was clearâcontinue, and you'll be thrown out.
April felt frustration boiling within, face darkening in anger.
As a high-caliber woman, she rarely faced such humiliation.
"I've spent eighty thousand at your store, I'm a VIP member. Try touching me!"
Brandishing a gold card from her purse, she flung it in front of the assistant.
Slap!
As it hit the floor with a crack, shock left the assistant momentarily speechless.
She was just a sales clerk, unable to oust VIP patrons.
Eighty thousand ranked as diamond membership, granting complaint privileges.
If the matter escalated and corporate intervened, not only would she owe an apology, but face a pay cut.
Feeling helpless, the assistant shifted to appeasement tactics.
Crouching to retrieve the card, she respectfully returned it,
"Apologies, ma'am, for my previous actions. Please don't be upset; we're committed to providing the best service for you."