Game Over No Second Chances

With just a few words, Serena had pulled herself far away from Cole-intentionally drawing the line between them.

Then, almost as an afterthought, she lifted her eyes slightly and gave Sarah a challenging look.

Sarah broke out in goosebumps. Was Serena mocking her?

She was Cole's fiancée. Was she really about to stoop so low as to beg this woman for a favor?

"So what if it's a limited edition?" Sarah snapped. "I'm not even interested in Nebula Design's exclusives.

"Come on, Cole. Let's go shop somewhere else. Didn't the boutique next door just release a whole new collection? I'll pick out a couple of things for you too.

"Besides, we're going to that Nebula Design launch party tonight..."

As she spoke, she shot a venomous glare at the manager and the sales associates.

"I can't wait to show up wearing something from another brand. Let everyone see what happens when Nebula Design offends its backers. We'll make sure they know we've got better options!"

The manager and associates fell into an uneasy silence. So, this was Cole's fiancée?

Wearing another luxury brand to Nebula Design's grand opening... Wasn't that basically slapping her own family in the face?

But they were just employees. No one dared to speak up.

Cole, who was already annoyed that Serena had brushed him off, turned grim at Sarah's threat to make a scene.

"That's enough," he said coldly. "Ms. Lynch, take her to pick out a formal dress from Nebula Design's collection. She's not showing up tonight looking out of place."

"Cole! That Ms. Lynch defied me just now. Shouldn't you be putting her in her place?"

"Nebula Design is a luxury label under the Larson Group," he snapped. "Do you want to humiliate our own brand in public? Or do you think I haven't kneeled in front of the family chapel enough times already?"

"But-"

"You're not even officially part of the Larson family yet."

That final line landed like ice.noveldrama

The atmosphere in the store dropped ten degrees in an instant.

Everyone could see it now. Cole really had no warmth whatsoever toward Sarah.

Sarah's face turned pale, then flushed red. She opened her mouth to argue again but stopped.

She wasn't married to Cole yet. Without a marriage certificate, she had no real standing.

Under the pitying stares of everyone present, she had no choice but to quietly follow the manager, Holly Lynch, to the fitting room.

On her way out, she shot Serena a hateful glare.

She saw Serena surrounded by staff and customers alike, all treating her like royalty, and clenched her fists in fury.

"Just you wait, Serena."

"It's free?" Serena raised an eyebrow at the manager in surprise.

She had planned to buy a gift for Hugh, but now she wasn't even allowed to pay for it-just because she'd used Hugh's black card? It felt like she was merely passing on someone else's favor.

Holly gave a soft, polite smile. "That's one of the privileges of the black card. We're just following protocol. If we accepted payment from you, our store would be penalized."

"Fine." Serena didn't want to cause any more trouble.

She figured she'd keep an eye out for more of their new releases in the future— and maybe pick up a few more things for Hugh while she was at it.

She enjoyed shopping for herself, but buying gifts for her friends brought her just as much joy. It was no big deal.

She turned to leave, but Holly quickly followed her.

"Just now, Mr. Hugh called," she said. "He asked us to prepare a formal gown for you-for tonight's Nebula Design launch party."

"For me?" Serena paused mid-step.

She wasn't a famous designer or a celebrated collector.

Cole was expected to give a speech tonight, so of course he was bringing Sarah.

But she hadn't heard anything from Hugh about the launch party.

Holly nodded repeatedly. "Yes, and Mr. Hugh specifically said that you'll be attending tonight's event as the daughter of Amber Hanson, the renowned porcelain artist.