Jessica still wasn't done . She griped to her coworkers , saying , " Take another look ? Oh , please . They should just admit they can't afford it . They can't even buy a pair of earrings , yet they toss out such laughable and pathetic excuses . " Noelle frowned and instinctively pulled Mary behind her . She met Jessica's eyes and asked , " Can you afford these earrings ? " Chanel jewelry was top - tier luxury . Even a pair of earrings started in the five figures . Noelle's question shut Jessica up for a beat , but it only made the already short - tempered woman even bolder . " I can't afford it , but at least I'm not wasting anyone's working time . I don't know what you're trying to pull . If you can't afford it , go shop at brands in your price range . Why waste our time here ? " Mary tugged on Noelle's sleeve , signaling her not to stoop to Jessica's level . Noelle knew how Mary was - she always preferred to avoid trouble . But with such a personality , rude people around them would always think they were pushovers . Noelle wasn't about to take the insult . She pressed her lips together and said , " Are we wasting your time ? Isn't it your job to serve customers ? Even if I don't buy a thing , the moment I walk in , I'm still a customer . " Jessica rolled her eyes and snorted , her voice dripping with contempt as she said , " Spare me the ' customer is always right ' bit . The only thing that matters to me is sales . If you're not buying , get out . " Mary looked torn , suddenly unsure of whether to buy or not . But Noelle narrowed her eyes and stood her ground . " I never said I wasn't buying . Even if I wasn't , you have no right to kick us out . " Jessica jutted her lip and rolled her eyes . Just as the standoff was dragging on , a deep voice cut in and said , " We'll take them . " One steady sentence drew everyone's attention . Just then , Noelle looked up and caught a familiar profile . A hard edge . A patrician air . A quiet , undeniable authority . Just his presence and a plain sentence from him would pull the whole room in . When Sebastian finished speaking , his gaze swept across the crowd . Noelle had only one word to describe his gaze - disdain . However , as Sebastian strode toward Noelle , the look in his eyes shifted when he looked at her . " We'll take them , " he said to a sales representative . Then , he added , " But not from her , " Sebastian looked Chapter 26 at the arrogant Jessica . " Get you manager . I'm thinking of making a big purchase , " he told her . 2/2 Jessica froze for a good seven or eight seconds . Then , as if compelled , she turned and went to fetch her manager . Noelle stole a glance at Sebastian . He was wearing a gray , custom - tailored suit with his tie perfectly centered on his chest . Not to mention , the subtle ridge of his Adam's apple lent him an unspoken allure too . Noelle narrowed her eyes . Jessica didn't strike her as someone who took orders , yet one sentence from Sebastian had her obeying . Noelle was still trying to figure out what kind of pull Sebastian had . Meanwhile , Mary was startled . She looked from Noelle to the man beside her . " Noelle , is he your friend ? How come I've never seen him before ? " she asked in confusion . Ever since Noelle had married into the Ashford family , she hadn't had many friends . And since Conner didn't like a social butterfly for a wife , she had stayed in her gilded cage and had even given up painting- a hobby she loved . In such a cage , making new friends was completely out of the question . Sebastian politely smiled at Mary . His gaze instantly softened as he said , " Hello , Mrs. Spencer . I'm your son - in - law . " Chapter 27 Chapter 27 1/2