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Nicole’s breath caught in her throat.
Across from her was Gloria’s smiling face. That smug grin wasn’t from the joy of getting a watch, of
course. It was as if she were flaunting the fact that Hayden had sided with her.
Nicole’s grip on her red credit card tightened. It had been a very long time since she had fought with
someone over an item. It had been even longer since she used her connections for anything.
If it were just some trivial luxury item, Nicole could let Gloria have it. But when it came to a gift for her
brother–something that was meant for her family–she would never back down, no matter how fierce or
unbecoming the fight.
She narrowed her eyes and turned around. Then, she silently reached for the phone in her bag and sent a
text message.
The salespeople looked at each other knowingly. They instantly knew that the watch would likely go to
the two women who came after Nicole.
Soon, the landline in the store rang.
Gloria smiled excitedly. “Quickly, pick it up. It should be from your local manufacturer!”
The salesperson hurriedly picked up the call as instructed.
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The next second, she straightened her back and replied to the person on the line with utmost respect.
Are you from headquarters? Alright, yes, please continue with what you were saying.”
Olivia smiled as if sharing the honor and tapped on Gloria’s hand. “Do you hear that? It’s a call from the
headquarters of the watch brand. Hayden sure has a great influence!”
“Yes, there’s competition for this purchase. Really? You’re sure her name is Ms. Jensen? Alright, I
understand.”
When the salesperson mentioned Nicole’s last name, Gloria’s smile faltered. Uncertainty flickered across
her face.
Gloria waited until the salesperson hung up and immediately walked toward her.
“How did it go? Who does the watch-”
The salesperson cut her off. “Headquarters has made it clear. From now on, if anyone competes with Ms.
Jensen for our brand’s items, we will always choose to sell to her, no matter the circumstances.”
As she said that, she walked over and gestured politely toward Nicole.
“Ms. Jensen, please join us in the VIP lounge for some tea.”
Nicole remained calm the entire time. Without sparing a glance at the two stunned women, she followed
Chapter 69
the salesperson into the VIP lounge.
Even after she left, Olivia and Gloria were still staring at each other, both rendered speechless.
What was going on? Nicole actually had connections at the brand’s headquarters?
That seemed impossible to Gloria. All this time, Nicole was nothing but a housewife who never even stepped outside.
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Gloria shook Olivia’s arm as her pride had taken a beating. “What’s happening? Does Nicole have ties with
this brand?”
“I–I don’t know.” Olivia ground her teeth with an awkward expression on her face. It was humiliating that she had actually lost to Nicole.
Olivia took a deep breath and left with Gloria soon after, while Nicole sat in the VIP lounge, leisurely sipping on tea. She handed the red credit card to the salesperson and paid for the watch.
One of the salespeople mustered the courage and asked, “Ms. Jensen, might I ask, how are you
connected to headquarters?”
Nicole smiled. “I’m good friends with Jessica.”
Someone shrieked. “Jessica!”
Jessica Larson was the brand’s lead watch designer–the very core of the company. She was someone who was hailed by fashion media as the muse behind a luxury empire.
And yet, Nicole, who was dressed in a hospital gown–like she had just walked out of a psychiatric ward-
somehow knew Jessica?
Nicole lowered her gaze at the steaming cup of tea before her. Back when she was studying to play the cello, she had also helped Shawn with jewelry design at the company.
Every piece she created became a trendsetter, attracting the eager collaboration of luxury fashion brands, watch brands, and accessory brands.
Not only did she know Jessica, the celebrated master of watch design, but Nicole also had connections with many renowned designers abroad.
The only reason she had never used those connections until now was that she didn’t want to trouble her
friends.
Still, whenever she chose to fight for something, losing was never an option.
If Gloria wanted to depend on a man, so be it. Nicole would only ever rely on herself–and she could still get whatever she wanted.
She then finished the rest of her tea, picked up the gift box, and left the store.
Before heading to the airport, Eugene met up with Nicole and took the gift box with him.
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“Look at you. You’re already so frail. Stop forcing yourself to be out and about. Get some rest instead,”
Eugene said, waving his hand, concern written all over his face.
Nicole truly didn’t have much strength left, yet she still reminded him, “Don’t tell my brother about what happened here. When I go abroad next week, I’ll explain everything.
“If I tell him now, the only thing he could do is worry, and I don’t want that.”
Eugene knew her well enough. She only shared the good news and stayed quiet about the bad news. Thus, he had no choice but to nod in agreement.
The car carrying Eugene drove off into the distance.
Seeing him leave, Nicole felt empty on the inside. Even when she had returned to the hospital, her spirits
weren’t lifted.
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Chapter 70
