Chapter 16

The boutique reeked of luxury and old money, its perfectly polished marble floors reflecting the crystal chandeliers overhead like mirrors of wealth. The air was thick with privilege - expensive perfumes, leather from Italian shoes, and that indefinable scent that only came with seven-figure bank accounts. Every surface gleamed: the brass fixtures, the glass display cases, the gilded mirrors that stretched from floor to ceiling. Even the hangers were works of art, hand-carved from exotic woods that probably cost more than Julian's old monthly rent. Margaret held up another suit against Julian's chest, her expert eyes assessing every detail. Her diamond rings caught the light as she smoothed the fabric, each gesture speaking of years spent in places like this. Around them, other shoppers moved with the unhurried confidence of those who never checked price tags, their shopping bags emblazoned with names like Gucci, Prada, and Hermès. The sales staff glided between displays like