The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 69

Eliza laughed, her eyes bright as she looked at Stefan. There was something in them she couldn't quite hide.

Before she could say more, Stefan was already leading her into a Chanel boutique.

"Welcome!"

A young salesgirl hurried over with a smile. "Looking for something specific? I'd be happy to make some recommendations based on your style."

"Just browsing."

Stefan's tone was casual.

The salesgirl, Amy, nodded and stepped back. She'd been doing this long enough to size people up fast—and she could tell Stefan and Eliza weren't dressed in designer. Nothing wrong with that, but it was obvious.

Still, she kept her smile warm. Didn't judge.

Stefan's eyes landed on a tweed mini dress. Classic Chanel. He held it up, imagining it on Eliza. Yeah. That would work.

"Try this."

He handed it to her.

Eliza took it—and fell in love immediately. The cut. The fabric. The way it somehow managed to be both simple and stunning.

Then she saw the price tag. Fifty thousand.

"Stefan, I... I have plenty of dresses at home. Maybe we should check out another store."

She reached to hang it back up.

Stefan almost smiled. He'd seen her face when she spotted the price. "Eliza." His voice was quiet but firm. "Today, you just try things on. Don't look at tags. If it looks good and feels good, we get it."

There was something in the way he said it. Easy. Certain.

Amy grinned, "Your boyfriend's got great taste. With your figure? That dress was made for you."

Eliza's cheeks went pink. She shot a glance at Stefan—he didn't correct the "boyfriend" thing. Her heart did a small, stupid flip.

They'd gone to the same university. Eliza had been the campus beauty—the one everyone noticed. Christy had chased after some rich boy for months. He'd ignored her completely. Instead, he'd gone after Eliza.

Eliza hadn't even wanted him. But Christy had never forgotten. Never let it go.

Christy's smile twisted. "Oh, am I wrong? Back in school, you were the princess. Everyone worshipped you. But out here? In the real world? Money talks. And your family runs a diner. You're here pretending to be something you're not. It's embarrassing."

Eliza's face burned. She wasn't good at this—fighting back. She tugged Stefan's sleeve. "Let's just go."

Stefan didn't move. He'd seen the hurt flicker in her eyes, even as she tried to hide it.

"So." His voice was calm. Flat. "You're saying we can't afford to shop here?"

Christy looked him up and down. Snorted.

"You?" She laughed openly now. "That outfit—head to toe—maybe five hundred. Tops. Do you have any idea how much a single piece in this store costs? You couldn't afford it if you saved for a year."

She turned back to Eliza. "This is your boyfriend? Oh, this is gold. A broke loser dragging you here to embarrass yourself. I can't even."