The sales associate’s comment made both Arthur and Ashley blush. Ashley, embarrassed, quickly corrected her. “We’re just friends.” The saleswoman, who had known Ashley for a while, immediately noticed the shy expression on her face. She giggled knowingly and whispered to Ashley, “Oh, I see~ My mistake.” Then, lowering her voice further, she teased, “But Ms. Gibson, you two look perfect together—like a match made in heaven! Anyone looking at you would assume you’re a couple.” Ashley’s face turned bright red, her skin practically glowing. “Don’t say things like that!” Arthur, oblivious to their hushed conversation, continued browsing through the racks. A moment later, the sales associate returned with several new outfits in hand, smiling brightly. “Ms. Gibson, these are some of the latest arrivals. Would you like your… friend… to try them on?” She deliberately paused before saying "friend," clearly still teasing Ashley. Ashley’s face heated up again. Flustered, she reached for her card and handed it to the cashier. “No need to try them on—we’ll take them all.” The saleswoman grinned even wider. Arthur, seeing what was happening, quickly stopped her. “Ashley, I’ve got this.” Before Ashley could argue, an annoyingly familiar voice rang out at the entrance. “Oh wow, living off a woman now, huh?” Both Arthur and Ashley turned around. It was Zac. Standing next to him, hand in hand, was Tia. Zac strolled over with a smug smirk, his eyes flicking between Arthur and Ashley. He was confused—shouldn’t Ashley be with Richie right now? What was she doing here with Arthur, this broke loser?Tia, ever the actress, put on her most gentle smile. “Ashley, are you here shopping for clothes?” The moment Ashley saw Tia, she instinctively disliked her. She remembered very well—this was Arthur’s fiancée. Ashley’s expression turned icy. “You’re standing here, hand in hand with another man, right in front of your fiancé. Does that not make you feel even a little bit ashamed?” Her words made the entire store fall silent. Zac’s temper flared instantly. “What fiancé?! Tia is my girlfriend!” Tia’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. “Ashley, you don’t understand! Zac and I truly love each other. How could you say something so hurtful about our relationship?” She looked like a pitiful little flower, fragile and heartbroken. Ashley scoffed. “Love?” She sneered, making no effort to hide her disdain. “You two really are a perfect match—a pair of scheming frauds. And you have the nerve to call it love? If Zac wasn’t being spoiled by the Gray family, would you really risk ruining your reputation just to be with him?” Tia’s face turned deathly pale. Zac instinctively turned to look at Tia, suspicion flashing through his eyes. Tia immediately squeezed his hand and pleaded, “Zac, don’t listen to her! You know my feelings for you are real. It has nothing to do with your status.” Zac’s expression softened. He wrapped an arm around Tia’s shoulders, looking at her affectionately. “Tia, you don’t need to explain—I trust you.” As he spoke, he made sure to glance at Arthur, gauging his reaction. Provoking Arthur had always been one of Zac’s favorite hobbies. Stealing his fiancée and rubbing it in his face was just another way to make Arthur miserable. But to Zac’s annoyance, Arthur didn’t even spare them a glance. Arthur had grown up watching Zac play his mind games, so his ability to spot fakes was razor-sharp. On the surface, Tia looked like a cool and elegant beauty, but Arthur saw right through her—she and Zac were cut from the same cloth. Just as fake, just as disgusting.Come to think of it, he still hadn’t officially broken off the engagement with Tia. Seeing that Arthur wasn’t reacting, Zac felt like he had just thrown a punch at thin air—completely useless and frustrating. His mood soured instantly. Annoyed, Zac turned his attention to the outfits on the cashier’s counter. “So, Arthur… are you really letting a woman pay for you now?” Zac sneered. “You’re actually willing to be kept like this?” Arthur ignored him completely. Without wasting any breath, he pulled out his own bank card and handed it to the cashier. “Use this.” As he did so, he reminded himself—he needed to get this engagement canceled as soon as possible. Having his name tied to Tia any longer was revolting. Zac’s laughter suddenly erupted throughout the store. “Hahaha—Oh my god! You? Paying for these clothes?” His voice was loud and obnoxious, drawing attention from other customers. “You do realize how expensive these clothes are, right? This isn’t some street stall selling cheap knockoffs. And you think you can afford this?” Zac’s eyes were filled with mockery, looking at Arthur like he was the biggest joke in the world. Arthur, however, remained completely unfazed. Meanwhile, Ashley crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin. “Zac, do you ever get tired of being so obnoxious?” But Zac barely acknowledged her. He was too busy trying to humiliate Arthur. Tia, as if suddenly remembering something, turned to the cashier and said sweetly, “I think there might be a problem with this card. Maybe you should check the balance before completing the payment?” Arthur’s lips curled into a smirk. Sure.Let’s check the balance.