About half an hour later, he slowed as the vehicle approached a wide intersection in the heart of New Ember’s luxury district. At the corner stood a sprawling big store.It was a very big jewelry store, the entrance framed with fine stonework and polished metal fittings. Through the open doors, the warm glow of lights revealed glittering displays of diamond necklaces, heavy gold sets. Uniformed guards stood at either side of the entrance, straight-backed and alert.Elijah pulled up smoothly at the curb, stepped out with quiet confidence, and adjusted his jacket. Without a word, he walked toward the entrance.“Good afternoon sir,” one said firmly, lifting a sleek handheld scanner. The other gestured politely. “Just a quick security check.”Elijah extended his arms slightly, his face calm. The scanner passed over him with a faint electronic hum, a green light flashing as it cleared him.“All clear,” the first guard said, lowering the device. The second immediately pulled open the tall p

The call ended with a sharp click, leaving the attendant staring at her phone for a moment before tucking it quickly away. She walked back toward Elijah, her steps measured, and stopped just in front of him.“The manager said he’s on his way here,” she announced, her tone a little steadier now, though her eyes betrayed her nerves.Another attendant hurried forward, pulling a polished chair out from the side and gesturing. “Please, sir, would you like to sit while you wait?”Elijah shook his head lightly, his hands sliding into his pockets as his gaze remained fixed on the glass cube. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll stand.”Around them, the tension only deepened. Customers loitered near counters and walkways, pretending to browse but really just staring openly, whispering to each other as they waited to see how this would unfold. Every eye in the store was locked on ElijahAbout twenty minutes later, the doors of the jewelry store swung open, and a man strode in.The manager was tall — at

The manager stepped forward quickly, his jaw tight and his eyes still narrowed with irritation. He spoke through clenched teeth, though his voice was loud enough for everyone in the store to hear.“That,” he said sharply, pointing at the ring, “is the Imperial Radiance Diamond Ring. A flawless, D-grade diamond — pure as they come, over six carats, set in platinum.”His tone grew heavier, his anger slipping into every word. “Cut to perfection — every facet aligned to throw back maximum fire and brilliance. It’s one of a kind. That’s why it sits in the cube, because no one has ever had the nerve — or the wallet — to even ask for it.”He folded his arms, staring hard at Elijah. “And you think you can just walk in and claim it.”Elijah’s lips curved into a faint smile as he looked from the ring back to the manager. His voice came calm, smooth, but laced with a quiet sting.“There are a lot of people who can afford this,” he said. “It’s just that your store isn’t that popular or big yet to

Gasps erupted all at once. Every face in the store—customers, attendants, even the guards by the door—was painted with shock. The manager blinked hard, his mouth hanging slightly open.“You… you said what?” he demanded, whipping his head toward the sales attendant.She swallowed and repeated, louder this time. “It’s successful, Manager.”The manager’s eyes narrowed. “Impossible. Recheck it.”“I have, sir,” she said quickly, her voice trembling. “It’s in.”The manager stormed toward the machine himself, pushing past the counter to stare at the screen. He turned it off, then on again, as if willing it to glitch. Still, the green glow of Transaction Complete blinked at him stubbornly. He quickly pulled up the account records—there it was, in bold numbers: $150,000 credited.He gulped, hard. His throat tightened as he turned back toward Elijah, staring at him like he’d just seen a phantom. He swallowed another mouthful of saliva, barely holding his composure.“We… we have received your mo

Sierra’s mouth dropped open, then she lightly smacked his shoulder with the back of her hand. “Elijah!” she half-laughed, half-scolded. “Do you know how bad you made me feel just now? I was ready to throw myself into the kitchen and start from scratch!”He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “That’s why I said it… I wanted to see how much you cared.”Sierra folded her arms, narrowing her eyes at him, though her lips curved into a reluctant smile. “You’re impossible.”Elijah smirked again. “But your food isn’t.” He raised his glass and gave her a small toast. “To the best cook I know.”Sierra didn’t sit back down immediately. She stood there, arms folded across her chest, pouting just enough to let him know she wasn’t letting him off easily.“You think this is funny, Elijah?” she asked, her brows knitting together, though her voice carried more wounded playfulness than true anger. “Do you know how f