Chapter 6

A sleek, black Maybach pulled up to the VIP entrance of Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue. The heavy glass doors were opened instantly by white-gloved staff as Anona and Ava stepped onto the pavement.

The store's general manager, Mr. Hayes, was already waiting. He practically bowed as he greeted Anona, personally escorting them past the public floors and directly into the ultra-exclusive Private Client Suite.

Inside the suite, plush velvet seating and complimentary champagne awaited them. Racks of unreleased, custom couture gowns lined the walls.

Anona took a sip of her champagne, immediately instructing the three personal shoppers to bring out the entire new season collection in Ava's exact measurements.

Ava, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the suffocating level of royal treatment, set her glass down. "Mom, I need a moment to stretch my legs. I'm going to look at the main floor displays."

Anona smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Take your time, darling. I'll stay here and review the diamond parures."

Ava stepped out of the quiet sanctuary of the suite. She walked onto the bustling, brightly lit designer floor of the department store.

She paused in the center of the room to admire a stunning, limited-edition emerald green silk gown displayed on a central mannequin. She lightly traced the edge of the glass display case, appreciating the craftsmanship.

Suddenly, a sharp, nasal voice cut through the ambient classical music. "That dress is far too expensive for a nobody."

Ava turned slowly. Tiffany Vance, a notorious new-money socialite, stood a few feet away with her arms crossed aggressively over her chest.

Standing right behind Tiffany, looking nervous but incredibly smug, was Kadence Fischer. She was clutching a designer shopping bag like a shield.

Tiffany looked Ava up and down. Her eyes lingered mockingly on Ava's simple, unbranded clothing, completely missing the subtle, bespoke quality of the tailoring.

"Did Bryant finally cut off your allowance?" Tiffany laughed loudly, ensuring nearby shoppers could hear. "Forcing you to window-shop for things you could never afford?"

Kadence stepped forward, putting on a fake, sickeningly sympathetic pout. "Ava, you shouldn't embarrass yourself in public like this after the divorce. It's pathetic."

Ava remained perfectly still. Her expression was entirely unreadable. She let the two women dig their own social graves.

Tiffany signaled a nearby sales associate, Chloe, snapping her fingers aggressively. "Take that green dress off the mannequin immediately. I want it."

Chloe looked deeply apologetic. She clasped her hands together. "I'm sorry, Ms. Vance. That dress is a one-of-a-kind runway piece. It requires a pre-approved client profile to purchase."

Tiffany's face flushed with hot indignation. She raised her voice, practically shouting. "I spend hundreds of thousands of dollars here! I demand priority over a homeless ex-wife!"

Ava tilted her head. A dangerous, razor-sharp smile finally broke across her face. She addressed Tiffany directly, her voice soft and lethal.

"Are you really willing to drop eighty thousand dollars on a dress just to prove a point to a stranger?"

Tiffany, blinded by her own arrogance and the desperate need to show off in front of Kadence, haughtily lifted her chin. "Eighty thousand is pocket change to me."

Ava took a deliberate step back. She gestured gracefully toward the mannequin, offering Tiffany the floor with mock politeness. "If you are truly that wealthy, you should buy the matching diamond clutch as well. Just to complete the look."

Kadence tugged nervously at Tiffany's sleeve. "Tiffany, maybe we should just leave," she whispered, sensing something deeply wrong with Ava's terrifying calm.

Tiffany ignored Kadence entirely. She slammed her heavy platinum credit card onto the glass display counter. "Ring it all up. Now."

Chloe hesitated, glancing nervously between the aggressive Tiffany and the serene Ava, unsure of the store protocol.

Ava gave the sales associate a subtle, reassuring nod, silently encouraging her to process the massive transaction.

Tiffany glared at Ava. "Once I buy this, I'm having security throw you out for loitering."

Ava checked her bare wrist as if looking at a watch. "Security will indeed be arriving very soon."

The credit card machine began to process the transaction, the digital dial spinning as Tiffany unknowingly walked straight into a massive financial trap.