CHAPTER 97: PURCHASE DECLINED

As we walked by the various displays, I couldn’t help but feel excited. Like most ladies in the upper class, I enjoyed wearing beautiful things, especially shoes.

There were dozens of pairs, in all shapes and sizes, scattered throughout the store. Although the majority of them were heels, there were also a few flats and sandals.

I walked over and picked up one of the shoes on display. It was a pretty standard black heeled sandal, but had a beautiful golden chain accent around the ankle clasp.

Black shoes were my favorite. They matched with most things and allowed me to wear the shoes more often.

After inspecting the shoe closely, I glanced at the price.

Over $400,000? That’s certainly pricey.

Two pairs would be almost a million, which was no laughing matter. My family was wealthy, but certainly not that wealthy.

Morgan was having a similar problem on the opposite side of the store. She was holding a pair of bright pink pumps as if they were her long-lost child. By the look on her face, I could tell that she was also struggling with the price.

Noticing my gaze from across the store, she smiled and walked over, "Leslie. Father gave me the card as a reward today. You can use your own money if you want to buy something, understand?"

I highly doubt that Father said that when he handed you his card. You just want to use the remaining funds on yourself...

I quickly saw through her, but didn’t mind. Thanks to Christian, I could probably buy all of the shoes in the store if I wanted.

"No problem, I planned on using my money anyway," I said calmly.

Morgan smiled, "Good! Your money is all yours. I won’t stop you from buying whatever you want with it.

After saying her piece, she turned around and returned to where the bright pink pumps were.

Just as she left, a new saleswoman walked over to me.

"Is there anything I could help you with?"

"Yes, I would like a pair of these shoes, size 8, please." I pointed at the black heeled sandals that I was just looking at.

"Certainly!" she smiled, and went to find a pair in my size.

I continued to look through the store until I walked over to a different display where the newest collection was being displayed.

Sitting atop a glass stand stood a pair of elegant cream colored heels. They had a beautiful shape and a very elegant design, making them appropriate to wear to almost every occasion.

I don’t have anything this color, and they would look very nice in the office.

Just as I was about to reach over and pick up the shoe, Morgan came over and grabbed it out of my hands.

"I want these!" she said, showing her saleswoman.

"Miss, these are the signature pair from our newest collection. Due to that, they are a bit more expensive," the saleswoman said softly.

"Do I look like I can’t afford them? Hurry, pack them up!" Morgan replied with frustration.

"Yes, of course!" the saleswoman replied.

The saleswoman who was taking care of me came over and asked me the same.

"I would also like a pair of these," I said softly. Having the same pair of shoes didn’t bother me, as we wore different sizes.

"Of course, these would look lovely with your current outfit, Miss."

I nodded, agreeing with the saleswoman. The white and cream colored skirt would match these shoes perfectly.

We walked over to the counter, where Morgan was already checking out.

"Miss, I’m sorry but your card declined..." the saleswoman said to Morgan.

"What?! Run it again, there’s no way. This is Father’s card, there should be more than enough," ordered Morgan.

The saleswoman ran the card once more and shook her head, "I’m sorry, but it’s been declined again..."

"What? It shouldn’t even be a million! What’s going on?" cried Morgan. She began to feel flustered and looked around nervously.

"No, Miss, this second pair of shoes is over a million..." the saleswoman explained softly.

Cherie glanced over at Morgan, "Oh? Is your great Moresi family having financial struggles? Do you need me to lend you some money?"

Morgan clenched her jaw and pressed her fingernails into the palm of her hand.

"No, of course not! I was just simply thinking that I didn’t have anything that would match these shoes anyway!"

She turned to face the saleswoman, "I changed my mind. Take those cheap-looking white shoes away. I didn’t know what I was thinking when I chose them!"

The saleswoman glanced at her, trying to keep her expression from cracking. It was plainly obvious that Morgan couldn’t afford them, but instead, she spun a story that they weren’t good enough for her.

After taking off the cost of the cream colored shoes, Morgan was able to pay for the bright pink pair she found earlier.

Morgan paid for her purchase and waited by the counter for me to complete my purchase.

"Just these three pairs for you today?" my saleswoman asked with a smile.

"Yes, please," I replied.

"Three pairs?" Morgan asked. She looked at me with a complicated look. "Sister, remember what we agreed on earlier. I’m not giving you Father’s card."

I nodded, "Yes, I know. I’m paying for this myself."

Well, more like Christian is paying for me...

Morgan scoffed, "Are you sure you can afford three pairs?" The moment she noticed that one of the three pairs was the cream colored shoes that she had to put away, her face twisted.

"Seems like math isn’t the strong suit of the Moresi ladies. When one sister couldn’t afford the shoes, the second sister tries to buy them along with another two pairs. I can’t wait to see how this turns out," laughed Cherie.

The saleswoman listened to her words and glanced at me, subtly asking me if I was still okay with the order before she rang me up.

I responded with a smile, nodding. She quickly rang up all three pairs of shoes, the third pair was another classic black heel that I noticed on my way to the register.

"Your total is two million one-hundred thousand," she said calmly.

"Two million? Sister, don’t make a fool out of yourself. Quickly put those shoes back," said Morgan.

Instead of doing what Morgan asked, I handed over the black card to the saleswoman. Everyone watched as she slid the card through the card reader.

A few, seemingly long, moments later, the sound of the receipt paper being printed sounded.

"Thank you for your purchase. Would you like us to deliver the shoes?"

"Yes, same address, please," I nodded. I wasn’t worried that Morgan or even my mother would take my shoes because we all wore different sizes.

After handing me the receipt, I walked over to Morgan casually. "Are we ready to go?"

"How...How could you afford that?! There’s no way you get paid that much!" she stammered.

It’s all thanks to your fiancé, dear sister.

"Clearly, I do," I smiled and walked past her.