Chapter 19 I Can Afford Them On Saturday , Jonathan didn't have to work overtime and invited Estella to go shopping for a dress . The two of them headed to the mall . Estella had intended to buy a reasonably priced dress , but to her surprise , Jonathan took her straight to an upscale boutique . Seeing the calm , confident expression on his face , Estella's unease began to subside slightly . Jonathan assisted her in choosing a black dress . Estella entered the fitting room to change . At that moment , Jonathan received a phone call and stepped outside to answer it . After changing , Estella emerged from the fitting room but didn't see Jonathan , so she decided to wait for him in the store . Just then , Naomi and her close friend walked into the store . When Naomi saw Estella , a strange smile spread across her face . What is this country bumpkin doing here ? She exchanged a look with her friend , both of them wearing sly grins , before Naomi approached Estella and lightly patted her shoulder . " Estella , what are you doing here ? " Estella wasn't particularly surprised to see her . As the daughter of the Hartwell family , Naomi was always out eating , shopping , and living a lavish lifestyle , so it was no shock to find her in such a store . " I'm here to buy a dress , " Esiella replied in a distant tone . " Buying a dress ? " Naomi's expression was filled with feigned astonishment . The dresses Estella had bought in the past were all inexpensive . She couldn't possibly afford the high - end pieces here . Moreover , Nathaniel had mentioned that after their divorce , he hadn't given Estella a single cent . Feigning sympathy , Naomi said , " Estella , things must be difficult for you now . I heard you're still working . Is your salary enough to cover your living expenses ? " She then scrutinized Estella's dress . " I quite like the dress on you . Why don't you take it off and let me try it on ? " The saleswoman , standing to the side , looked nervously at Estella . Estella raised an eyebrow . " Naomi , there's a rule of first come , first served . I chose this dress first ! " Naomi pulled out her membership card with an air of superiority . " I'm a premium member here . I have the right to try on clothes before anyone else , right , miss ? " Naomi's friend joined in , mocking Estella . " Exactly , Estella . If you're so capable , you should get a membership card too . " The saleswoman cast a pleading glance at Estella . Unbothered , Estella replied , " Fine , I'll take it off. " She then returned to the fitting room to change . Naomi , observing Estella's silent frustration , felt a sense of satisfaction . 1/3 P P Chapter 19 I Can Afford Them Estella placed the dress down but didn't leave . Instead , she continued browsing the racks . Every time Estella picked out a dress , Naomi followed and snatched it up . Confused , Estella asked , " Naomi , are you planning to buy all of these ? " Finished Naomi lifted her chin arrogantly . " Are you worried I can't afford them ? " She paused , her voice dripping with smugness . " Belle is taking me to a banquet hosted by her family and introducing me to some influential people . Of course , I need the finest clothes for such an occasion ." She couldn't resist taking a jab at Estella . " Only someone like Belle , from a top - tier family , could bring me to such exclusive events and help Nathaniel gain some connections . You , a country bumpkin , have never seen the world , anything to the Hartwell family . Nathaniel made the smartest decision by divorcing you . " and you can't offer Estella gave Naomi a cool , indifferent glance . She no longer cared about Nathaniel , and Naomi's words didn't affect her in the slightest . Turning to the sales assistant , Estella said , " Since Ms. Naomi has already set her sights on these clothes , why don't you hurry and check her out ? " The sales assistant immediately beamed at Naomi . " Ms. Naomi , please follow me ." It was then that Naomi noticed she had picked out more than a dozen pieces of clothing . This was a high - end boutique , and purchasing all these garments would cost a small fortune . Her expression soured . Estella , showing no sign of leaving , said slowly , " What's wrong , Ms. Naomi ? With your family's wealth , I'm sure you can afford all of this , can't you ? " Naomi didn't want to embarrass herself in front of Estella . She straightened her back proudly , forced a calm expression , and said , " What a joke ! It's just a few clothes , of course I can afford them . " She pulled out her credit card and handed it to the cashier . The cashier swiped it , but it didn't go through . Looking embarrassed , she said , " Ms. Naomi , this card doesn't have enough credit . " " How is that possible ? This card has a monthly limit of 140,000 dollars ," Naomi gritted her teeth and said . The cashier showed her the bill . " Ms. Naomi , the total for these clothes is 410,000 dollars . Would you like to use another card ? " Seeing Estella watching her , Naomi refused to let herself feel ashamed , despite the sting of spending this much money . She shot a cold look at the cashier and said , " Wait a moment . " Naomi walked to the corner and called Nathaniel . Madeline wasn't feeling well today and was getting an IV at the hospital . Nathaniel had pushed back work to stay with her . When he found out Naomi hadn't visited her mother but was asking him for money instead , he was furious . " Naomi , why are you so inconsiderate ? Mom's sick and you didn't come to take care of her , but you're out here wasting money ? " Naomi pouted when reprimanded , but for the sake of her pride , she couldn't help but beg Nathaniel . " Nathaniel , I just boasted in front of Estella . If I don't pay this bill , I'll disgrace our family ! Don't worry , as soon as I finish 2/13 Chapter 19 I Can Afford Them shopping , I'll head straight to the hospital to take care of Mom . " When Nathaniel heard Estella's name , he froze for a moment . Since their argument on Christmas Eve , he had been wanting to see Estella again . When she was around , he found her annoying , but now that she wasn't , he felt increasingly uncomfortable . wasn't , he felt increasingly uncomfortable . He had to admit , he missed her a little . Only when Estella returned could his chaotic life return to normal . " Where are you ? I'll come over right now . " " You're coming over , Nathaniel ? " Naomi was surprised . Is Nathaniel going to step in and scold Estella for me ? Finished She immediately gave him the store name and urged , " Nathaniel , don't forget to transfer the money ! I need 400,000 dollars . " Nathaniel hadn't expected her to ask for so much money at once . He answered coldly , then added , " This 400,000 dollars is considered an advance for your living expenses . Starting next month , I'll reduce your credit card limit . " Naomi let out a cry of despair , wanting to plead , but Nathaniel had already hung up . Madeline knew Naomi was extravagant and only gave her 13,000 dollars a month . If Nathaniel didn't give her the money , Naomi would have to cut back for the next few months and wouldn't be able to indulge in luxury goods anymore . She felt a wave of resentment toward Estella . But to save her reputation , she immediately paid the bill as soon as Nathaniel transferred the money . Estella watched her , her expression calm , showing no sign of anger . Naomi felt like her actions had landed with a dull thud , like punching cotton . It made her uneasy . Just then , Jonathan entered and asked Estella , " Didn't you like anything ? " Naomi looked at Jonathan , assuming he was just Estella's toyboy . She scoffed , " Estella , your boyfriend isn't worth much . He hides whenever you're shopping . A man who won't let a woman spend money clearly doesn't love her ! " Jonathan frowned at her words . Estella didn't want Jonathan to be upset , so she hooked her arm around his and started to walk away, saying , " Don't pay attention to her . She's just mentally challenged ." Naomi could clearly hear what Estella said , and , fuming , she grabbed Estella to stop her from leaving . " Estella , what did you just say ? Say it again ! " Send Gifts