lat shoes and off-brand coats, looking through the windows of boutiques she could have bought ten times over. Today, she stepped out of

gure perfectly, her dark hair flowing in loose, expensive waves. Behind her followed two m

L'Etoile, the most exclus

In fact, just last month, Aria had come here to buy a tie for Mark's birthday. The sales manager, a woman named Ver

avy glass doors. The ch

dy to greet a customer, but it froze when she saw Aria. She didn't recognize the suit or

dn't notice the security guards standing outside the door yet. "I thought I made it clear, we don't carr

ke, giggled. "Oh, Vera, is this the one you told us about? The one

ay of rare Hermès bags, her fingers hover

the leather, you'll be in debt for the rest of your mislerab

er you. You told me that I didn't belong in the presence of such fine things.

to play dress up in a nice suit. Did you steal that? Or is it a knock off

I'm not a 'L'Etoile' woman. I'm the

Buy this building? This property is owned by the Thorne Grou

arp grey suit walked in, looking frantic. It was the

low his forehead almost touched the floor. "I am so sorry I wasn't

de of grey. "D-Director? What are you doin

only daughter of Samuel Thorne. The heiress to the entire Thorne Empire. And as of

r gasped, one of them dropp

ow trembling so hard she had to le

e I didn't belong here. You were right. I don't belong in a

didn't know! If I had

reat people with dignity if you think they can do something

lacklisted from every luxury retail association in the country. If she wants t

security guards Aria had brought were a

ites who had laughed earlier. They shrunk b

lent shop. "Enjoy your shopping. But remember...the help you look dow

for the day. I need a whole new wardrobe, and I don't want to

Miss Thorne!

iter appeared from the back, offering her a glass of vinta

ws alert: WOODS TECH STOCKS P

a beautiful day fo

in Aria's ears. Now, her face was a map of terror. She knew exactly who the Thorne family was. Her father's business relied on shipping contra

as a razor, was now thin and reedy. "I... I think there's been a terrib

face. "A misunderstanding? You seemed quite understood when you were laughing at m

g so much she dropped her designer clutch. "Vera told us you were just a troublemaker. We were just following he

a marble side table with a sharp

portrait? Your kindness is reserved for people whose names are on buildings? What ha

when a Thorne security guard stepped forward, his hand resting on his holster. "Please, Miss Thorne. My father is in the mid

new perfume a custom blend that cost more t

ou treated me like dirt under your heels. I watched you mock waitresses. I watched you belittle valets. You d

e Director, who was waitin

" Aria sa

Miss T

y expensive taste. What is the value of the

kly. "Approximately four hundred tho

red in their eyes. They thought she was going to let them buy

ist for every Thorne owned property in the city. Malls, hotels, restaurants, and clubs. If

hat's half the city! We won't be able to go to the Cha

across her lips. "You won't. You wanted to treat the world l

plush carpet. "My wedding is next month at the Thorne Plaza Hot

ndifference. "Perhaps you can move the wedding to that thrif

rom her reality. "Security, please show these former cus

elbows and marched them out. The sounds of their frantic apo

to see the private collection now, Miss Thorne? We have a tiara that was recen

er reflection one last time. The woman staring back wasn't the

ard has ever put on her 'wish list.' I want to buy every single piece. If she wants to

r command, Aria's phone vibrated. I

een a mistake with the bank. I think your father is interfe

out replying. She didn't need

ng. Send a gift to Mark Woods' office. Us

ss Thorne. Wha

fork. And a note that says: 'For the m