The Graham Heir—I Am Not An Adopted Nobody

Chapter 74: Diamonds and Rivalry

The heavy tension from their run in with Tristan slowly began to fade away as Avery and Anna stepped into the luxury jewelry wing of the mall. 

This part of the building felt like a different world, the floors were buffed to a mirror shine, and glass cases shimmered under soft golden lights that made everything inside look like a treasure. 

There were diamond bracelets that cost more than a house, custom leather purses, and limited edition collections that you couldn't find anywhere else on earth.

Anna stopped in front of a display and lifted a cream colored leather purse, turning it over in her hands. “This one screams CEO wife,” she said with a playful wink. Avery couldn't help but laugh lightly at her friend's confidence. 

“You’re insane,” she replied, shaking her head. They kept moving toward the back where the high end jewelry was kept, and the necklaces there glittered like frozen lightning against the black velvet displays.

But suddenly, Avery froze. Her entire body went stiff, and her breath hitched in her throat. Anna noticed the change immediately and stepped closer. “What is it?” she asked, sensing the shift in the air.

 Avery didn't answer right away, her eyes were locked on something further down the hall. Anna followed her gaze and saw a small crowd starting to form near the store entrance.

 People were already pulling out their phones, and soft, excited whispers began to fill the quiet room.

“Oh,” Anna muttered as she realized who was walking in. “That’s her.” Avery nodded slowly, her voice barely a whisper. “Carla Winter.” Even if you didn't know her name, her aura was impossible to miss. She was tall, with perfect posture and a designer gown, and glittering heels that clicked rhythmically against the marble. 

Her makeup was flawless, and it was clear that the cameras absolutely loved her. “Fourth most followed person in the world,” Avery added, a hint of defeat in her voice.

Anna gave her a gentle nudge with her elbow. “You’re fifth. Cheer up. Carry some pride,” she encouraged. Avery tried to give her a small smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. “She passed me last month with more than one million followers.” 

Anna just scoffed at the numbers. “One million is nothing.” But Avery looked down, her voice soft. “It’s a lot.”

Behind Carla stood four other influencers, each one famous in their own right and dripping in expensive designer gear. And standing right beside Carla was a younger girl with a smaller frame and very sharp, calculating eyes.

 “That’s Bella Winter,” Avery pointed out. “The sister?” Anna asked, squinting to get a better look. “Yeah,” Avery confirmed. Anna remembered seeing her once at school, but they had never spoken, and Anna hadn't thought much of her back then.

Avery straightened her shoulders, trying to look unbothered. “We didn’t see them,” she muttered, mostly to herself. “And they didn’t see us.” They had been rivals for years— fighting over the same brands, the same big sponsorships, and the same top spots at award shows. 

There was no need to start any drama today. They decided to keep shopping as if they were completely alone, and Anna's eyes were quickly drawn to a necklace set displayed on a mannequin in the center of the store.

“Avery,” Anna breathed, her eyes wide. “Come look at this.” Avery walked over and felt her heart skip a beat. The necklace was incredibly rare, made of multiple layered pieces that flowed down the mannequin’s neck like liquid silver. 

There were green diamonds embedded between thin platinum chains, and a center stone shaped like a falling star sat right at the base. It wasn't flashy or loud, but it was commanding— the kind of statement jewelry you only see at global galas or on the necks of the world's top models.

“I love it,” Anna whispered, completely captivated. But at that exact moment, a sharp voice cut through the quiet air of the boutique. 

“Carla, come see this necklace. I like this one.” Avery slowly turned her head and saw Bella Winter pointing at the exact same piece of jewelry. Anna’s jaw tightened instantly. Carla walked forward with a smooth, cat like grace and looked at the girls. “Move aside,” she said, her voice calm but full of an expected authority. “My sister wants to check it.”

Anna blinked, clearly not used to being talked to like a servant. “Excuse me?” she asked, her voice rising just a bit. 

Carla didn't even look at her directly. “You heard me,” she snapped. Anna didn't budge, instead, she stepped slightly in front of the mannequin to block their view. “We were here first,” she stated firmly.

Bella folded her arms over her chest and glared. “Watch your mouth,” she warned. Anna’s eyes sharpened into points of steel. “You should watch yours,” she shot back. Carla finally turned her full attention to Anna, looking her up and down slowly as if she were inspecting something beneath her. “Who do you think you are?” Carla asked.

The entire store had gone silent by now, and even the employees were holding their breath. Avery stepped in quickly, trying to play peacemaker. 

“It’s fine. We were leaving anyway,” she said, reaching for Anna’s arm. But Anna turned sharply. “We are not leaving. I want this necklace.”

Bella let out a soft, mocking laugh that sounded like glass breaking. “Oh,” she said with a cruel smirk. “Isn’t that Anna?” Anna’s face hardened as she waited for the insult. “The girl who got bullied by the Emmets in school?” A small gasp echoed from someone watching in the back.

 Bella continued smoothly, her voice dripping with poison. “And now she stands here acting bold? Breathing the same air as us? You should know your place.” Her friends huddled behind her and chuckled at the insult.

Anna didn't flinch, but Avery saw it— that tiny flicker of fire in her eyes that meant things were about to get real. 

Anna stepped forward, invading Bella’s personal space. “You should be careful who you talk to,” she said in a low, quiet voice. “You don’t know me.” Bella just smirked back. “And you don’t know us.”

Carla moved closer now, and the air between the two groups felt like it was charged with electricity. She stood directly in front of Anna, towering slightly. “And who are you?” Carla asked again, her voice demanding an answer. 

Anna held her gaze, not backing down and not even blinking. “I’m someone,” Anna said calmly, “who knows a person powerful enough… to make all of you respect me.”

A dead silence fell over the room. Even Avery felt the shift in power. Carla’s expression changed just a tiny bit, her eyes narrowing as she processed the threat. “Is that so?” she asked. 

Anna’s lips curved into the smallest, most dangerous smile Avery had ever seen. “You’ll see,” Anna replied. And in that moment, everyone in the room knew the real game had just begun.