She thought of him as a flirt deep down.
Bianca bit her lip, feeling a rush of warmth inside.
Just as Dave left, Diana returned. She glanced around at the newly transformed office and was amazed. “Bianc, I’ve only been away for a short time. How did everything change so quickly?”
“Really?” Bianca glanced around. The team had not only installed what seemed to be top-of-the-line security equipment but had also cleaned every corner, making it spotless.
As Dave had said, “It’s all part of the service.”
Diana’s eyes widened in amazement as she looked at Bianca and exclaimed, “Wow! It’s like the office has gone from basic to high-tech. How did you manage this, Bianc?”
Bianca playfully tapped her nose and replied, “Mr. Evans and his team came by to set up the security system and ended up giving the whole place a deep clean, so…”
“Bianc, what does your boyfriend do, exactly?” Diana looked at the advanced facial recognition system at the entrance. “This looks like cutting-edge security technology! It must have cost a fortune, easily a million!”
Dave intentionally used products from his company that didn’t have trademarks. However, Diana had come across a similar report about this type of security equipment in a magazine, which jogged her memory.
Bianca looked at Diana and replied, “He’s just handling tasks for his company. His boss is generous and gave him a good deal on this, but it’s not as expensive as you might think. Maybe you’re thinking of a different brand?”
Dave had resources, but he wasn’t someone who casually spent millions.
In many ways, he was just an ordinary guy like her.
Diana shrugged and said, “Maybe. I’ve only seen that kind of security system once. It could be a knockoff. But it definitely makes our company look more professional. Not bad at all.”
Then, arm in arm, Diana suggested to Bianca, “We’ve got the afternoon free. How about we go shopping?”
With Dave’s team handling the cleaning, Bianca and Diana found themselves with some extra time on their hands.
Bianca smiled and agreed, “Sure. And you can help me pick out a thank-you gift for Mr. Evans.”
Diana gave her a teasing look and joked, “Bianc, you talk about him a lot. Are you two really head over heels for each other?”
Bianca playfully tapped Diana’s forehead and said, “Stop it. Let’s go.”
They were located on a bustling commercial street, with a large shopping mall not far from their office. Bianca and Diana strolled over there together.
Bianca wore a casual printed T-shirt and jeans, her hair tied back casually. She hadn’t paid much attention to her appearance lately, being focused on her company’s affairs.
Diana, on the other hand, dressed in simple sportswear, the most affordable outfit in her wardrobe, chosen without much concern for the day’s tasks ahead.
They entered the mall together, chatting and laughing. Despite it being a weekday, the mall buzzed with activity as if there was a special event.
“Let’s go see,” Diana suggested, eagerly tugging Bianca along as they joined the crowd gathering at the mall’s center.
They discovered it was the grand opening of a new store.
“It’s Cherish, the famous luxury brand!” Diana exclaimed in surprise.
Cherish had recently become extremely popular among the wealthy and influential. It was a favorite among high society women, with exclusive sections in only a few major malls. Diana had seen its distinct designs in fashion magazines and was immediately drawn to them.
Unfortunately, Cherish products were not only expensive but also sold out quickly after launch. Socialites eagerly competed to buy the latest collections, sometimes spending large sums through various channels to secure these limited items. Those who managed to buy them often flaunted their purchases among friends and peers.
Diana had tried to get Cherish items through different methods but had never succeeded in acquiring even one.
“The creator of Cherish used to be the lead designer at Barberry before starting her own brand, creating quite a legacy,” Diana shared, her eyes filled with longing as she admired the clothing and jewelry on display.
A long line had already formed at the Cherish purchase counter, and Diana eagerly pulled Bianca to join it.
“It seems we’re lucky with their event today; we might get to buy something,” Diana said with excitement sparkling in her eyes. Owning something from Cherish had been a long-standing dream of hers.
When luxury brands like Cherish open new stores, they often offer exclusive sales of their ready-to-wear collections to build excitement. This provides a rare opportunity for those who don’t usually have access to their products through private channels.
“Look at how casually you’re dressed. Do you really think you can get something from Cherish?”
Suddenly, a sharp, harsh voice rang out from behind them. Bianca frowned and turned to see who it was. Fate seemed to have brought enemies face to face.
It was Ashley.
Accompanying Ashley was Olivia, an actress Bianca had encountered previously. Despite Olivia’s low opinion of Ashley, she maintained a friendly relationship with her because of her connection to Joshua, a man of significant influence. To benefit from Joshua’s resources, Olivia felt obligated to keep things amicable with Ashley.
Upon seeing Bianca, Olivia’s pupils quivered slightly. Recalling the previous incident where she had been coerced into gathering information about Bianca, Olivia understood that the person behind Bianca was powerful, and she couldn’t afford to provoke them.
Ashley and Olivia starred in a web series together, with Ashley in the lead role and Olivia in the supporting one. The series had recently gained popularity online, bolstered by Joshua’s support, propelling Ashley into increasing fame.
Disguised, they had come to the mall today upon hearing about Cherish’s store opening. They were eager to acquire the brand’s latest designs before anyone else could.
Ashley and Olivia were late and should have been behind Bianca and Diana in line.
Instead, Ashley, adjusting her big sunglasses, intentionally bumped into Bianca’s shoulder and then guided Olivia ahead of them.
“Hey, why are you cutting in line? What’s wrong with you?” Diana’s loud complaint caught the attention of people nearby.
Ashley stood with her arms crossed and chin held high, appearing unfazed. “Who saw me cutting? I’ve been here in front of you all along. Plus, you might want to reconsider waiting. It’d be embarrassing if you couldn’t afford anything.”
Since all four arrived near the end of the line at about the same time, there were no clear witnesses to the line-cutting.
“Who says we can’t afford to pay? That’s ridiculous!” Diana, with her sleeves rolled up, was ready to confront Ashley, but Bianca quickly grabbed her arm to calm her down.