Chapter 40: Diamonds and Desire
With a warm, professional smile, the Hermès staff began their presentation, keenly aware of the discerning audience before them.
Felice Richardson and her entourage lounged in a private room of the store, sipping champagne from crystal flutes as they prepared to be dazzled by the latest creation from the world's most exclusive luxury brand.
"Good morning, everyone! Welcome to Hermès. I won't take too much of your precious time, so let's dive right in," the staff member began, gesturing towards the opulent display case. "This is our newest limited edition bag — a true masterpiece valued at $4 million. Allow me to share what makes this piece so extraordinary."
With delicate precision, the staff member unlocked the glass case, lifting the bag with a reverence that bordered on ritualistic. The soft lighting in the room seemed to intensify, casting a glow over the bag's exquisite features.
"First, the bag is crafted from the finest, ethically sourced materials. The leather — rare and exotic — was selected not just for its rarity, but for its flawless texture. Our master artisans spent countless hours meticulously hand-stitching every detail, ensuring that this bag is nothing short of perfection. It's not just an accessory; it's a work of art."
As they pointed out the intricate embellishments, a sense of awe filled the room. "What truly sets this bag apart is the embellishment. The hardware is crafted from solid 18-karat white gold, encrusted with over 1,000 flawless diamonds. Each stone was chosen for its exceptional clarity and brilliance, ensuring that this bag radiates luxury from every angle."
The staff member opened the bag with a smooth, practiced motion, revealing its lavish interior. "The interior is lined with the softest, most exquisite leather, dyed using a secret process unique to Hermès. Of course, it comes with a bespoke Hermès lock and key, also made of white gold — adding both security and elegance."
Stepping back, the staff member allowed the group to fully appreciate the bag's splendor. Every woman in the room leaned in, captivated by the sheer opulence on display — except for Felice.
Felice remained indifferent, her gaze cool and detached. She had amassed a collection of hundreds of limited edition bags, each more extravagant than the last.
This one, like the others, would be hers without a second thought — not because of its exceptional craftsmanship or rarity, but simply because she wanted it.
She never had to ask twice; the world simply bent to her will.
"Only a handful of these bags were ever made," the staff member concluded. "Each one is numbered and registered, making it not just a fashion statement but a true collector's item. Owning this bag isn't merely about possession — it's about owning a piece of history, a symbol of timeless elegance, and an investment in unparalleled luxury."
Felice's fingers grazed the glass, her expression unchanged. The bag was extraordinary, of course, but to her, it was just another addition to an already overwhelming collection.
She would purchase it — because why wouldn't she? The only real decision was how many to get.
"How many do you have?" Felice asked, her tone deceptively casual.
The staff exchanged uneasy glances. "I'm sorry, Miss Felice, but we have a strict policy — only one bag per customer."
Felice took a slow, deliberate sip of her champagne, savoring the taste. When she finally spoke, her voice was like ice. "I hate repeating myself, so listen carefully . . . how many do you have?"
Her friends, standing nearby, exchanged knowing smiles and stifled giggles. They knew the power Felice wielded, or more accurately, the influence her father commanded. Store policies meant nothing when it came to Felice Richardson. The staff hesitated, their fear palpable.
"We . . . we have four bags in the store right now, Miss Felice," one of them finally admitted, voice trembling.
"Good. Wrap them all up," Felice ordered, her gaze sharp as she briefly glanced at the staff from beneath her thick lashes. That single look was enough to send them scurrying to fulfill her request.
Her friends immediately swarmed her, vying for her attention, eager to be on her good side.
"Felice, who are you going to give those bags to?"
"My birthday's around the corner. Maybe you could gift me one?"
"What are you talking about? I'm her best friend."
"Come on, you two, let's leave Felice alone. We can all afford it."
"No way! My father limited my credit card."
"He must've found out you've been ditching college. That's why."
"Shut up."
"I can't afford it right now. I maxed out my card, and Daddy refuses to pay it off. I'll have to wait until next month, but by then, that bag will be sold out everywhere."
Felice barely listened to her friends' whining, uninterested in their petty problems, until one of them giggled, drawing everyone's attention.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Yeah, you've been glued to your phone since we got here."
"What's so amusing?"
The girl who had giggled showed her friends her phone. On the screen was a handsome man dancing in the park, effortlessly styling his hair mid-move. "This is C.C., my new obsession."
"Is that for real? He's dancing and styling his hair at the same time?" one of the girls laughed.
"He's handsome, but come on, Claire. That guy's just a content creator with barely a million followers. Do you really want a man who's dancing for every woman on the internet to see as your boyfriend?"
"Even if he's cute, I doubt he could afford our lifestyle."
Claire pouted. "What's wrong with admiring a guy like this? It's just fun. It's not like I'm going to make him my boyfriend or anything."
As they chattered away, Felice's attention was caught. Wasn't that the guy from Daddy's Salon? The one who styled my father's hair?
Curiosity piqued, Felice looked him up on InstaPic and BuzzVid, and sure enough, it was C.C. The same guy.
Hmm . . . Felice randomly played one of his videos, and it didn't take long for her to get hooked on his dance moves. She'd seen men dance before — some were more professional, others were more handsome — but for some reason, she couldn't take her eyes off him.
There was something about him, a charisma and charm unlike any other, that pulled her in. His good looks were just the icing on the cake.
Felice placed her phone over her luscious red lips, a small smile stretching across her face. She was bored right now, and it seemed she had just found the perfect man to toy with for the time being.
=== ⭐ ===
|| A/N ||
Hey Everyone,
First off, a huge thank you for all the love and support you've shown for the story so far!
We'll be going premium with the next chapter. I hope you'll continue to join me on this journey as we dive even deeper into the world of idols.
To show my appreciation, I'll be rolling out some bonus content:
Every 10 Reviews (no throttling) =1 Bonus Chapter
Every 100 Power Stones =1 Bonus Chapter
Every 50 Golden Tickets =1 Bonus Chapter
Every Super Gift =1 Bonus Chapter
Bonus chapters will be released on the same day alongside the 2 regular chapters. If we hit multiple goals, I'll release up to 4 chapters in a day, with any extra bonus chapters rolling over to the next day.
Thanks again for your incredible support. Let's keep this story going strong! 🤍🙏