Risa felt her face heating up. She can’t let Jessica go scout free. She glared at her then looking at Jessica checking on the dress in her hand carefully and dedicated an idea struck her.
"I need that gown," Risa smirked. The assistant was confused glancing between Risa and Jessica.
"Are you sure you want this dress, Risa?"
Jessica twirled the gown in her hand, inspecting the fabric with a thoughtful expression before turning to Risa. A sly smile tugged at her lips.
"Are you sure you want this gown, Risa?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Risa scoffed, arms crossed over her chest. "Of course. Why? You think I can’t afford it?"
Risa felt Jessica might be out of her mind to question here besides, she has her own account different from the Brown family. Certainly, she can prove her worth.
Jessica chuckled softly, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Not at all. I just want to be sure. So, do you want to pay for it, or should I?"
Risa’s smirk widened, her confidence radiating. "Obviously, I can pay for my own things." She pulled out her credit card and flicked it between her fingers arrogantly.
Jessica covered her mouth and laughed lightly. She didn’t want to admit it but it seems Risa is unaware of the real situation of the Brown family but then she don’t mind satisfying her ego.
Pamela, watching the exchange, leaned against a nearby rack, her lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, this should be interesting," she murmured under her breath.
Jessica gave a small shrug and handed the gown to the sales assistant. "Alright then. She’ll be taking this."
Risa stepped forward, tossing her card onto the counter, her expression smug. "Go ahead. Charge it."
The assistant glanced at her and swiped the card, but within seconds, an error popped up on the screen. The smile on Risa’s face faltered slightly.
"I’m sorry, ma’am, but your card has been declined," the assistant said politely. Her smile suppressed.
A tense silence settled in the air.
Risa’s brows furrowed as she grabbed the card back. "That’s ridiculous! Try again!"
The assistant hesitated but complied. A moment later, the same result flashed on the screen.
"Declined," she repeated awkwardly while averting her gaze. From the interactions earlier, she has noted her attitude and wouldn’t want to be implicated by her.
Jessica folded her arms across her chest while one her arms is resting on her chin tapping it lightly. Her eyes glistening with amusement while she pretended to be deep in thought. "Huh... You did say you could pay, right?"
Pamela let out a low whistle, stifling a laugh added, "Maybe the Brown family’s fall came faster than expected?" while Ethan stood silently, an amused glint in his eyes.
Risa’s face burned with embarrassment, but she forced a glare at Jessica. "Jessica?"
Jessica simply smiled with her brows raised, her voice as smooth as silk. "Oh, Risa, don’t blame me for your own misfortunes."
Tracia, growing flustered, leaned in. "There must be a mistake! Try another card, Risa!"
Risa hurriedly pulled out another card and handed it over. The assistant swiped it—only for the same error to appear.
"Declined," the assistant repeated, now visibly uncomfortable.
A flush of embarrassment and rage spread across Risa’s face. She spun on Jessica, eyes blazing. "You did something, didn’t you?!"
Jessica raised a brow, feigning innocence. "Me? How could I? I don’t control your bank account, do I?"
Pamela snickered. "Guess that gown isn’t yours after all."
Ethan, who had remained quiet all this time, finally sighed. "If you don’t have the money, Miss Risa, it’s best to stop wasting everyone’s time."
The humiliation was unbearable. Risa clenched her fists, her pride preventing her from backing down. But just as she was about to lash out, Tracia quickly stepped in.
"Let’s just go, Risa," she whispered urgently. "We’ll come back later."
Jessica tilted her head. "No need to run. If you ask nicely, maybe I could pay for you?"
Risa’s face burned with shame. She shot Jessica a deadly glare before Tracia grabbed her hand intending to leave the store but Risa resisted briefly.
She doesn’t believe she can’t put Jessica in her usual place —the unwanted and unloved daughter always seeking the attention of their father which was hard to come by.
Tracia continuously dragged her till they reached the door. Her heart frantic with rage as they bubbled inside her.
At the door , she shot one last glare at Jessica, before she stormed out, dragging Tracia with her.
The moment they were gone, Pamela burst into laughter. "That was beautiful and priceless" She smirked.
Jessica chuckled, shaking her head. She turned to the assistant. "I’ll take the gown, please. And I will be paying for it."
Davis, watching everything unfold, let out a quiet chuckle. "You always know how to handle things, don’t you?"
Jessica winked. "Not really, just that she is too noisy. And I don’t think it’s healthy for the masses. Besides, she said she wanted the gown and I fulfilled her wish. Will you blame me that her card didn’t pay her.
Her reply caused another bout of laughter between.
Pamela finally chose a red wine-colored dress that hugged her figure perfectly. She admired herself in the mirror, turning slightly to check the fit.
"This is the one," she declared with satisfaction, a rare, genuine smile gracing her lips.
Jessica glanced at her from the corner of her eye and made a mental note to surprise Pamela with another dress—something elegant yet bold, just like her.
She knew Pamela often carried herself with an air of indifference, but deep down, she deserved thoughtful gestures too. Besides, been the first friend to make in the Allen family, she deserves a meeting gift.
As Pamela continued inspecting the dress, Jessica turned to the sales assistant. "Could you wrap up that midnight blue gown for me as well? It’s a gift."
The assistant nodded, taking the dress discreetly while Jessica smirked to herself. She couldn’t wait to see Pamela’s reaction.
After spending what felt like an eternity browsing through endless racks of dresses, they finally left the ladies’ section and made their way to the men’s wing of the mall.
Pamela stretched her arms with a dramatic sigh. "Finally! I thought we’d never leave."
Jessica chuckled. "You were the one being picky."
"I thought you are one playing games with your sister" she answered jokingly.
Jessica raised an eyebrow but said nothing, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Ethan pushed Davis’s wheelchair forward while Jessica walked beside him, since the inception of the shopping he had spoken less but observed more. Davis had been mostly quiet, observing everything with an unreadable expression. At some point, he noticed the interest of the onlookers has shifted from him. He sighed with a relief.