Against Cruelty, She Grew Strong (by Anastasia Glover) novel Chapter 491

Chapter 491 The Black Gold Card

鼓麵

Finished

When the sales associate saw them actually push the door open and walk in, she immediately intercepted them, her ten–centimeter heels clicking sharply agains overwhelming scent of her perfume made Tammy take a half–ste

oor. The

“Can I help you two with something?” The associate’s red lips curled into a fake smile as her eyes flickered over Tammy’s scuffed, peeling sneakers. “The clearance section is on the lower level.”

Norman acted as if he didn’t catch the insult, pointing directly at the black dress in the window. “Could you get a size six for her to try on-”

“I’m so sorry,” the associate interrupted, her voice rising. “This is a seasonal limited edition. We require a proof of funds before any fittings.”

She then pointedly wiped a non–existent speck of dust from the display case. “After all, some customers try things on and… well, we have to pay for professional disinfection afterward.”

Tammy knew exactly what that meant. She was being treated like she was a walking infection.

Infuriating!

She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white as she fought the urge to level the woman.

“Is that any way to talk?” Norman was still smiling, but the warmth didn’t reach his eyes. His hand moved to the small of Tammy’s back, pressing firmly. He could feel her spine as rigid as a pulled bowstring, trembling with suppressed rage.

He gave her a light, soothing scratch with his fingertips. It was the kind of motion one used to calm a restless cat.

Tammy’s anger evaporated instantly, and her hands relaxed. Norman had discovered this particular weakness of hers recently.

The associate rolled her eyes, her rhinestone–encrusted nail hovering over the security bib “If you don’t leave, I’m calling secur-”

The rest of the sentence died in her throat as a hand reached out from the side, placing a card on the marble counter.

“Is this enough to buy it?”

The associate looked down at a black gold membership card–a global limited edition. The serial number “0001” shimmered coldly under the spotlights.

17:58 Fri, Jan 16

Chapter 491 The Black Gold Card

Her attitude shifted in a heartbeat. “Of course! Please, just a moment! Ill wrap it up for you immediately!”

Norman looked at the card, his expression unreadable. He recognized the man holding it. He was the middle–aged man from the arena exit who had taken it upon himself to call him “Boss

The associate packaged the dress with lightning speed and held it out with both hands.

The man didn’t take it. Instead, he reclaimed his card and said flatly, “I’ve changed my mind. This shop is far too cheap for my master. Put it back.”

The associate stood there, paralyzed and humiliated. She realized he was playing her, but she didn’t dare utter a word of protest–no one could afford to offend a black card holder.

Norman glanced at the man but said nothing, pulling Tammy away by the hand. He walked quickly, clearly in a foul mood. Tammy followed closely, silent for once.

After a few minutes, she tugged on his arm, forcing him to stop.

“I’m sorry,” Norman said, snapping out of it. “I was walking too fast.”

“Bovine, look over there!” She pointed toward a large clearance sale area. “Let’s go check that out!”

Looking at the bargain bins made Norman feel even worse. “We de money. We can take our time and find something better.”

‘need to go there. I have

“I don’t want to! Those people back there were awful anyway!” She genuinely didn’t care about the insult; if anything, she was just annoyed she hadn’t gotten to hit anyone. “Come on, let’s jus look!”

She practically dragged him over. While it was a clearance area, it wasn’t exactly trash–it was a collection of end–of–season items from various high–end brands, all marked down significantl Very few people were browsing; most shoppers in this mall were too proud to be seen digging through bins.

Tammy had no such ego. Norman stood at the entrance of the section, feeling as if a heavy stone were pressing on his chest.

“We could really just go somewhere else,” he said, his voice a bit raspy. He couldn’t stop thinking about the sales associate’s disdain and the humiliation of the “proof of funds.” He began to doubt himself. Was this right? Was forgetting the past and living like this really a goo idea?

Tammy didn’t even look up, her fingers nimbly sorting through the racks. “Stop being so dramatic. This is fine.”

17:58 Fri, Jan 16

Chapter 491 The Black Gold Card

Finished

She pulled out a crumpled black dress and held it up to the light. “See? This one is a little black dress too!”

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