Chapter 84

Ashleigh stepped out of the car and Beau followed suit, looping his hand around hers with a witty grin. "Are you ready to put on a show?" She exhaled lightly, gazing at the Gold card in her palms. The weight of it felt heavier than it should but she didn't hesitate. If Adrian wanted to meddle in her world, he ought to feel the consequences. She slipped the card into her clutch and met Beau's gaze, her expression cool. "Let's make this count." Beau chuckled, sliding on a pair of designer sunglasses. "Now you're speaking my language." They walked in through the glass door being held by a door man and the minute they stepped in, the atmosphere shifted. The boutique dripped elegance as walls were decked with paintings and high ranking celebrity autographs and perfumes were presented like a work of art. The air was filled with various exotic fragrances as a few customers milled around quietly testing the scents and Ashleigh immediately understood what Beau meant. A woman in a sleek black dress approached them, her heels clicking against the marble floors as she walked. "Good afternoon and welcome to the House of Versailles. Do you have an appointment?" Ashleigh met her gaze steadily. "No. But I assume that won't be an issue." The woman's lips curved slightly, her gaze flicking over Ashleigh and Beau with polite curiosity. "Of course not, Miss. How may I be of help to you today?" Beau leaned in just enough for only Ashleigh to hear. "Confidence, darling. It's all in your mannerisms." Ashleigh barely spared him a glance, tilting her chin slightly. "I have been meaning to add a few perfumes to my collection and I have heard a lot about this store." Ashleigh let her gaze drift over the store with quiet indifference, as if already unimpressed. Then, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she added smoothly, "I assume you have something worthy of my time." The shift in the woman's demeanor was immediate. Her smile widened, her stance more attentive. "Of course, ma'am. This way." As Ashleigh followed her into the VIP section, she exchanged a knowing glance with Beau. Beau nudged her lightly, his grin widening. "Now we play." As soon as they settled down in the cushioned seats, they were served flutes of champagne and delicate pastries for entertainment. The perfumes then began coming one after the other, and the staff explained the mixture of each decadent scents and it's gender preferences, price points and its exclusivity. Ashleigh played the part of the discerning buyer with ease. Her fingertips skimmed the handcrafted glass, her expressions unreadable as she sampled each fragrance. Occasionally, she would tilt her head in quiet consideration before dismissing a scent with the barest shift of her lips. Beau, by contrast, was the overenthusiatic confidant. He exclaimed over rich undertones, inhaling testers with exaggerated delight, and urging Ashleigh to indulge. His enthusiasm was infectious, drawing the boutique staff into the performance. Soon, the selection grew more exclusive. Vintage collections emerged from hidden cases, whispered offers of scents not yet released to the public were made. By the time she was done, an array of bottles rested before her. As a sales associate prepared to finalize her purchase, the boutique's director arrived: a woman of elegance, her suit crisp, her presence commanding. A woman, poised and mature, approached with the quiet authority of someone who mattered. Ashleigh observed the way the staff subtly straightened as she neared. She and Beau shared a brief glance. They had made an impact. "Good afternoon." The woman extended a hand, her gaze flicking between Ashleigh and Beau. "I am the director of House of Versailles. It is an honor to have you here. May I have your name?" Ashleigh didn't hesitate. She met the director's gaze, poised and deliberate. "Mrs. Cagliari." A ripple of recognition passed through the staff. Even the saleswoman from earlier stiffened slightly. Beau smirked, his pride evident. Ashleigh, for the first time, allowed herself to embrace the role fully. This was what it meant to be Adrian Cagliari's wife; doors opened, attention lingered, the world adjusted its stance. The director's smile grew. "Mrs. Cagliari, we are honored. I have personally selected a few of our finest private collections that may complement your tastes." With a wave of her hand, a silver tray was brought forward, four bottles displayed like rare jewels. Ashleigh didn't bother asking for details. She merely glanced at them before turning to the cashier. "Add them to my purchases." Beau let out a low whistle as the bill was presented. "That's a lot of zeroes." He glanced at Ashleigh, mischief dancing in his eyes. "A perfect amount." Ashleigh smirked, her gaze lingering on the total before she slid the gold card across the counter. "Charge it." ****************** Across the city, in a high-rise conference room, Adrian Cagliari sat at the head of a long mahogany table. The air was tense-executives meticulously reviewing financial projections, the sharp voice of the presenter filling the silence. The only sound beyond that was the occasional rustle of paper as Adrian flipped through a contract proposal, his sharp gaze dissecting every detail. That is, until Mr. Turner stepped in. Phone in hand, Mr. Turner moved past the seated executives with quiet urgency. Leaning down, he murmured, "Sir, your bank has requested to speak with you. It's urgent." Adrian leaned back, intrigued. Lifting a hand, he took the phone. The room stilled as the executives exchanged glances, waiting. "Good afternoon, Mr. Cagliari," a voice greeted. "We're calling to confirm a high-value transaction on your personal account." Adrian's fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of his chair. He already knew. "Go on," he said smoothly. "A significant charge was made at House of Versailles a few minutes ago. The total amount is-" The banker read out the total. The figure was impressive. Adrian's lips curled into a slow, amused smirk. "So, she had gone through with it." He hadn't thought she'd have the nerve to push this far, far enough that even the bank had taken notice. "I assume my wife was responsible for this?" A pause. "Yes, sir." The banker seemed surprised by his utter lack of concern. Adrian chuckled, low and approving. "Then it is approved." The banker hesitated, clearly expecting a different response. "Understood, sir." "And next time," Adrian added, his voice carrying a subtle edge, "you don't need to call if she does this." He ended the call and handed the phone back to Mr. Turner, his smirk lingering as the room, now unusually attentive, watched him closely. "Continue." The presentation resumed, but Adrian barely heard it. His mind was elsewhere. Ashleigh had made a move. A bold one. And he was thoroughly entertained. ********************* As expected, the transaction sent ripples through the right channels. Minutes after the payment was processed, the store's director approached once more, this time with an air of quiet importance. "There is a matter we must discuss," she said. "Your patronage has caught the attention of... someone of interest." Ashleigh raised a brow, feigning mild curiosity. "Oh?" The woman hesitated, as if carefully choosing her words. "There is a private collection. Not available here. The creator prefers a personal touch with their clientele." Ashleigh exchanged a look with Beau. Bingo. "I'd like to meet them." The director nodded, producing a discreet black envelope. "The address and the time of the appointment is inside. This invitation is non-transferable." Ashleigh accepted the envelope, her fingers grazing the embossed insignia. They had taken the bait.