ALMIGHTY DOMINANCE LOST HEIR

CHAPTER 9

Amanda held up the luxury handbag, twirling it with a radiant smile.

“Johnson, isn’t it stunning? This bag would be perfect for me! You wouldn’t want me to leave without it, would you?”

Johnson laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Amanda, didn’t I… just get you that luxury car last week? Maybe we could take it easy for a bit?”

She pouted, her eyes widening in exaggerated disappointment.

“Oh, Johnson, it’s just one little handbag. Imagine how perfect it would look with my wardrobe. Plus, everyone would know I’m spoiled by you. Don’t you want that?”

Johnson hesitated, glancing at the price tag.

This would go over my budget, he thought. If he gave in, he’d risk his dad’s wrath for overspending again.

“Well…” He stalled, trying to think of a way out.

“I mean, it’s… beautiful, but maybe we could find something similar, but, you know… less?”

Amanda’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Less? Johnson, it’s not about the price; it’s about showing that you care. Are you telling me you can’t get me a simple bag?”

He chuckled, desperate for an escape.

“It’s not that I can’t, Amanda. I just… think we’ve done enough splurging this month. Let’s keep a little surprise for next time, alright?”

Amanda rolled her eyes, sighing dramatically.

“Fine, but just know everyone’s going to think you’re frugal.”

Johnson forced a smile, relieved but feeling the sting of her comment.

“Max?” she sneered, her voice loud enough to catch his attention.

“You just can’t help yourself, can you? Are you following me again?”

Max looked up, his brows arching in disbelief.

“Following you? Amanda, you’re out of your mind. I didn’t even know you were here.”

“Oh, please.” Amanda let out a laugh that dripped with contempt.

“It’s almost impressive how shameless you are. I can’t go anywhere without seeing you lurking around, like some stray dog hoping for scraps.”

Max clenched his jaw, feeling his patience wear thin.

“Amanda, not everything is about you. I’m here with Emily, shopping. I don’t care where you are.”

Amanda scoffed, glancing at Emily with a pitying look.

“Oh, shopping. How cute. Emily, do you even know who you’re with?” She smirked.

“Max can barely afford coffee, let alone anything in a store like this. I mean, I can’t stand people like him—those who think they can sneak into places where they clearly don’t belong.”

Max took a deep breath, his eyes cold as he looked at Amanda.

“Listen, Amanda, no one’s sneaking anywhere. Unlike some people, I don’t need to announce my arrival with a fanfare and a luxury handbag.”

Amanda gave a mocking laugh, linking her arm tighter with Johnson.

“Please, Max. This store is meant for people like me and Johnson—people who can actually afford to be here, not… whatever it is you do.”

“People like you?” Max shot back, eyebrows raised.

“You mean people who don’t know the difference between luxury and common decency?”

Amanda’s face reddened, but she recovered quickly, patting Johnson’s arm.

“Max, I know this might be hard for you to understand, but I have standards. I don’t settle. Unlike… well, you.”

Emily, sensing the tension, took a step forward with a small, amused smile.

“Actually, Amanda, I’m here with Max. He brought me to this store, and he offered to buy me something I liked.”

Amanda’s eyes widened, her gaze flicking between Emily and Max.

“Oh, so he’s trying to impress you? That’s… adorable. But you’ll find out soon enough, Max’s little… odd jobs can barely cover a sale rack, let alone something from this store.”

Emily shrugged, smiling politely.

“I don’t think that’s for you to decide. Max has been very generous.”

Amanda’s smile turned colder.

“Max, generous?” She laughed, tilting her head at Max with a mocking glint in her eye.

“Oh, honey, generosity requires money. Something you… don’t exactly have.”

Max smiled coolly, unbothered by Amanda’s words.

“Amanda, for someone who’s so into wealth, you sure don’t seem to get it. Money isn’t everything. Some of us don’t need to use it as a personality trait.”

Amanda’s face flushed, but she tightened her grip on Johnson’s arm, ignoring the jab.

“Right. It’s not everything—it’s the only thing,” she replied smugly.

“Which is why people like me and Johnson shop here. Unlike you.”

Johnson, who’d been mostly silent and trying to avoid the awkwardness, looked around for an exit, but he couldn’t help glancing at Emily.

“Um, Amanda, maybe we should… you know… just let them do their thing?”

Amanda glared at him before returning her attention to Max.

“See, Max? Even Johnson agrees. Just because you’re in the same store doesn’t mean you can afford anything here.”

Max chuckled, reaching into his wallet and pulling out a sleek black card.

He held it up with a smirk. “

Guess I’ll have to prove you wrong then, Amanda. I’ll take that handbag you’re clinging to so desperately… for Emily.”

Amanda’s eyes went wide, her confidence flickering.

“You… you’re buying that handbag? For her?” She looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.

“What is that, some prank card? There’s no way you’re actually paying for this.”

Max shrugged, his smirk widening. “Let’s see, shall we?”

The store clerk stepped forward, taking the card from Max with a nod and beginning to process the transaction.

Amanda stood frozen, her hand tightening on Johnson’s arm.

“Johnson, he’s just doing this to show me up,” she hissed, trying to regain her composure.

“Say something!”

Johnson’s eyes widened as Max held up the sleek black card, the rare, coveted piece of luxury reserved for the elite of the elite.

But almost immediately, his lips twisted into a sneer.

“Oh, please,” Johnson said, chuckling.

“A black card? Did you pick that up off the sidewalk, Max? I’ve seen props in cheap magic tricks that look more realistic than that.”