Chapter 142: Differential Treatment
"Welcome, what can I do for you?"
The salesperson's attitude towards Loren was markedly different from that towards James, showing much more respect.
Loren enjoyed this flattery, nodding arrogantly, and said, "Today's main character isn't me, it's my wife. You should ask her."
Barbara's smile grew even broader. She affectionately linked arms with Loren, deliberately glanced at Jennifer, and said loudly, "I want to buy a necklace. What style do you think suits me best? Price is not an issue."
Upon hearing this, the salesperson's eyes lit up. In the jewelry business, the most desirable customers are the wealthy ones. As long as she could sell expensive jewelry, she could earn a substantial commission.
Moreover, the saleswoman noticed that Barbara was intentionally looking at Jennifer while speaking. She quickly realized that these two women were competing with each other.
'Today is my luck day!' the saleswoman thought.
Last month, she had a similar sale in which two women, trying to prove who was wealthier, ended up each buying jewelry worth over a hundred thousand dollars, which made her very happy.
However, today's situation was a bit different. Just from their attire, she could tell that Barbara was much wealthier than Jennifer. James and Loren's demeanors were worlds apart, so she focused her main attention on Barbara.
"Ma'am, you're in luck. Our store just received a new batch of diamond necklaces designed by a master jeweler. They are luxurious, elegant, and perfectly match your demeanor."
Barbara smiled at this, full of anticipation. "Show me quickly."
The salesperson led Barbara and Loren to a counter and pointed to a dazzling diamond necklace inside. "Ma'am, this is the necklace. It's the latest design in the world, with fewer than twenty pieces nationwide, and they are distributed across different states. In Emerald Isle City, this is the most beautiful! This necklace features a total of eighty-eight diamonds of pure quality, symbolizing the purest and most unbreakable love."
Barbara's eyes lit up, and she said to Loren, "I think this necklace is perfect; it symbolizes our unbreakable love."
Loren was also quite moved but didn't agree immediately. Instead, he asked, "What's the price of this necklace?"
The salesperson smiled and said, "Sir, this necklace costs one million."
"What?" Loren's face changed immediately upon hearing the price, and he was somewhat shocked. He thought, 'One million?'
Barbara was also a bit surprised. This price indeed startled her. Loren's clinic's annual net profit was just over a million dollars. Once household expenses, car loans, and mortgage payments were settled, there was little money remaining.
However, the higher the price was, the more extraordinary the necklace would be, and Barbara desired it even more.
Moreover, buying this necklace would further prove that her husband was much better than Jennifer's.
So, she tugged on Loren's arm and whispered, "I really like this necklace. Can you buy it for me?"
Loren frowned, feeling displeased.
'I only make about a million dollars a year, and after all expenses, there's only a few hundred thousand left. How can I buy you a million-dollar necklace? I haven't even bought anything this expensive for my Susan. You're overestimating yourself.' Loren thought to himself.
Indeed, Loren had been supporting a mistress, Susan Garcia. For the past two years, he had spent tens of thousands of dollars on her annually.
He became excited just thinking about Susan's sexy body and her exceptional skills in bed. He had been so busy lately that he hadn't visited Susan in a while. Compared to her, Barbara fell short.
Of course, he didn't dare speak his thoughts out.
Instead, he said with difficulty, "Now the competition among medical clinics is fierce, and it’s not easy to make money now. If such a large sum is spent, how long will it take to recoup? Moreover, the kids are about to start school, which is another huge expense. How will we cope with it then??"
Barbara also understood it. A million was beyond their budget. The total amount she spent on all her cosmetics and luxury goods didn't even add up to this price.
But she was still unwilling to give up. The necklace was so beautiful and suited her so well. She thought that she should wear such an expensive necklace.
"Don't you have a big deal coming up next month? That'll bring in about a million dollars, so there's no pressure. Darling, if you agree to buy it for me, you can do whatever you want for the next month."
She batted her eyelashes at Loren, acting coquettishly.
Barbara was still somewhat attractive, but with Jennifer, a true beauty, standing nearby, she seemed plain. Loren, seeing the difference between these two women, felt that paying a million for Barbara would be a foolish act.
"No way!" Loren refused without hesitation. "I have other plans for that money. I can't just spend it like that! Besides, your classmate married a poor guy. You don't need to buy such an expensive necklace. Even a few thousand-dollar necklaces would make them envious."
Barbara felt very disappointed, but after a short time of thinking, she realized Loren was right. Even a few thousand-dollar necklaces would make Jennifer and James envious.
However, just as she was about to nod in agreement, she noticed James and Jennifer walking over. James pointed to the diamond necklace in the display case and smiled at Jennifer. "Do you like this necklace?"
Jennifer immediately pinched James and glared at him, signaling him not to speak up.
But James seemed not to notice. He said to the salesperson, "Can you take this necklace out for me to see?"
The salesperson, seeing his shabby attire, thought clearly he couldn't afford it and gave off a fake smile. "I'm sorry, but this necklace is too valuable to take out for display."
Her attitude clearly indicated she despised James.
Barbara, feeling frustrated about not being able to buy the necklace, walked over and said in a mocking tone, "Mr. Smith, are you thinking of buying this necklace? But this necklace isn't cheap."
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