Angeline walked beside Ruby, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her brows furrowed in frustration. The sound of Jepsi’s mocking laughter still rang in her ears, and no matter how much she tried to shake it off, it annoyed her to no end.
"She’s looking down on us, Ru!" Angeline finally snapped, unable to hold back any longer. "She thinks we’re just so small, insignificant sellers while she’s the queen of the fair! People like her—they act like they’re untouchable just because they have more resources, a fancier shop, and a bunch of followers. Ugh, I hate arrogant people who think others are beneath them!" She kicked at a small rock on the path, her irritation clear in the way her shoulders tensed.
Ruby, on the other hand, remained perfectly composed. She walked at an unhurried pace, her hands casually resting at her sides, the faintest hint of amusent flickering in her red eyes. "Let her think that," she said with a soft chuckle, as if Jepsi’s words had been nothing more than a mild inconvenience, sothing not even worth thinking about.
Angeline turned her head sharply, glaring at her in disbelief. "How are you so calm right now?!" she demanded, frustrated. "Didn’t you hear her? She was outright mocking you! Mocking us! Acting like she’s already won before the festival even started! And you’re just... laughing?"
Ruby let out a small hum, tilting her head slightly as if considering Angeline’s words. Then, with a slow, knowing smile, she finally answered, "People like Jepsi make things more interesting."
Angeline’s brows pulled together. "Interesting? How?"
Ruby’s smirk widened, and she stopped walking, turning fully to face Angeline. The evening light cast a soft glow on her white hair, making her red eyes stand out even more. "Because she already thinks she’s won. She thinks she’s above us. She’s confident that her shop, her team, and her reputation make her untouchable." Ruby’s voice was calm, but there was sothing in her tone—sothing sharp, dangerous, and completely assured.
Angeline stared at her, realization slowly creeping in.
"And that’s a mistake," Ruby continued, her smirk deepening. "Because the mont soone believes they have nothing to lose, they stop trying. They underestimate what’s coming next."
Angeline felt her frustration lting away, replaced by sothing else...excitent.
Angeline let out a slow breath, her lips curling into a smirk of her own. "So, you’re saying... she won’t even see it coming?"
Ruby chuckled, turning back toward their shop as she resud walking. "Oh, she’ll see it. She just won’t be able to stop it."
Angeline huffed, still feeling the sting of Jepsi’s arrogance, even though Ruby seed completely unfazed.
Even if she wasn’t the shop owner, it didn’t matter—she still felt offended on Ruby’s behalf.
Jepsi’s attitude was exactly the kind of arrogance she hated—people who believed their wealth and reputation made them superior, who thought smaller businesses weren’t worth acknowledging.
Her husbands had many friends.. influential ones, wealthy ones, and plenty who loved showing off. If she convinced them to buy from Ruby’s shop instead of Jepsi’s, that could attract even more custors.
After all, people followed trends. If a few well-known nas were seen wearing Ruby’s robes, it would automatically raise her shop’s status.
****
One Day Before the Diamond Moon Festival
The final preparations were finally complete.
Ruby had spent the entire day decorating her shop, ensuring every detail was exactly as she envisioned. Unlike the other high-end stores made from expensive infused glass and classic Wooden stalls, she had to work with what she could afford—but that didn’t an she would settle for less.
Instead of a static storefront, she created a unique sliding entrance using roller paddles, allowing the shop to be fully open for display when needed and closed for security at night. It was a simple yet effective alternative to the glass infused shops that dominated the marketplace.
Even though she had thought about buying that, she found out how expensive a glass-infused shop can be! Plus, the maintenance and other expenses need to be considered.
"It’s only temporary."
She had bigger plans.
To be honest, she never intended to run a shop forever.
This was just the first step.
Once her brand beca famous, she wouldn’t even need to sell directly to custors. Instead, she’d sell her robes wholesale to shop owners, allowing them to handle sales while she focused on the bigger picture.
She would hire more designers and tailors, expanding production. With a small marketing team, she could create demand effortlessly.
And once the business was stable and profitable, she would automate it.
Because in the end, her real goal wasn’t this business.
Her real focus was much bigger— tech
But for now, she had one last step.
Tomorrow, the festival would begin.
And by the end of it—everyone would know the na ORA.
"Wow!! The shop looks so pretty!!" Karl exclaid, stepping inside with wide eyes, his excitent impossible to contain.
His feet slid gracefully across the deep red mat, his arms spreading slightly as he twirled dramatically, taking in every inch of the shop’s details.
"This is luxury! This is elegance! This is—"
He suddenly stopped mid-step, shifting his posture into an exaggeratedly graceful pose, as if he were already on the runway. His movents beca unnaturally smooth and poised, his every step too precise, too elegant—too much.
Milo, Julian, and Adrian, who had co along with Ruby to check on the shop, imdiately cringed.
Milo covered his face. "Brother Karl... stop moving like that. You look weird!"
Julian sighed, rubbing his temple. "Can you just act normal for once?"
Adrian simply crossed his arms, his face expressionless as he muttered, "This is painful to watch."
But Karl?
He was unbothered.
He turned his head with a dramatic flick, giving them all a smug, superior look.
"You fools. This is the movent of a true model."
He placed a hand over his chest, tilting his chin up. "You wouldn’t understand the art of elegance and poise!"
Milo groaned. "Wife, please make him stop!"
Ruby, who had been watching in amusent, chuckled and leaned against the counter.
"Let him be. If he keeps acting like this, at least we know he’ll draw attention at the festival."
Karl gasped, placing a dramatic hand over his heart. "Wife, you finally acknowledge my greatness!"
Julian looked at Ruby, betrayed. "Don’t encourage him!"
Ruby just shrugged.
—To be continued...🪄
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