When I took my fiancé, Marcin, to pick out our marital home, we ran into the most two-faced real estate agent I’d ever met. First, she fawned over him, gushing about how young and successful he must be to drive a Rolls-Royce. Then, she implied I was a fraud, a wannabe socialite with a knockoff handbag who could sweet-talk her way into a free house. When she found out we were buying a home together, she announced to the entire showroom, loud enough for everyone to hear, "You know, I thought that sugar daddy who bought you two condos last time was perfectly nice." Then she added, with a sickeningly sweet smile, "Oh, but I seem to recall you have more than one, Miss Sterling. Do they all know about each other?" I just laughed. My "sugar daddies" are just my godfathers, and my socialite status is very, very real. The real twist? My fiancé is just a scholarship kid my family sponsored. … After Marcin finally met my grandfather, our engagement was officially set. We left dinner in the Rolls-Royce my grandpa had gifted us, heading to a new luxury development nearby to choose our first home together. As soon as we arrived, I slipped off to the restroom. In my haste, I bumped into a sales agent coming out. "Watch where you're going!" she snapped. I glanced at her name tag: Brooke, Senior Sales Executive. She saw me looking and scoffed, her voice a low, mocking whisper. "Some people carry one fake bag and think they're real society." She looked me up and down. "Not spending a dime, just here for photo ops and to use the restroom. Pathetic." I took a deep breath, about to retort, but she just shoved past me and strutted away. When I came out, however, the arrogant Brooke was gone. In her place was a fawning, flirtatious woman practically draped over Marcin, her body language a masterclass in feigned delicacy. She was giving him the grand tour, pressing her chest against his arm at every opportunity. I took one look at Marcin and understood. My grandfather had just returned from abroad, and this was Marcin’s first time meeting him. He had dressed to impress: a bespoke suit, a luxury watch. For someone like Brooke, sizing up a customer's wallet was second nature. In a neighborhood where a single commission could set her up for years, it was all part of the game. The moment Marcin saw me, he instinctively recoiled from Brooke, putting a respectable distance between them. "Scarlett, there you are," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. Brooke turned, and her smile faltered. "Oh, Miss… Sterling. I didn't realize you were with Mr. Hayes." She quickly pasted on an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry. I saw your handbag and thought it was a replica. I just assumed you were here to use the facilities." Her voice dripped with false sincerity. "We get a lot of wannabes with knockoffs trying to get pictures for their social media. I hope you're not offended." A replica? Marcin had given me this bag. And whether I was a "wannabe" or not, he knew the truth better than anyone. Marcin, looking mortified, quickly changed the subject. "Scarlett, I like this location. It's close to your family's estate. Should we take a look?" Still fuming from our earlier encounter, I had no desire to deal with Brooke. I walked past her to Marcin's side. "I've heard enough sales pitches. Let's just see the model unit." Marcin wrapped an arm around my shoulder, playfully tapping my nose. "Alright, you're the boss." While we waited for the elevator, Brooke's shimmering, eyeshadow-laden eyes were glued to Marcin. "Mr. Hayes, you're so accomplished for your age! You must be the CEO of a major company." Marcin offered a polite, noncommittal smile. "Not exactly a CEO." Taking his smile as an invitation, Brooke simpered, "You're too modest, Mr. Hayes. Anyone who can afford a Rolls-Royce at your age must be exceptional." The elevator doors opened. Brooke shot me a disdainful glance, then subtly tugged her collar down, revealing a generous amount of cleavage. She squeezed between us, pressing herself against Marcin as she followed him in. As she pushed past, her stiletto heel ground into the top of my foot. The pain was sharp and sudden. "What the hell are you doing?" I cried out. Brooke turned, her face a mask of innocence. "Miss Sterling, I'm so sorry! I was just trying to press the button for you." Her voice trembled. "Please don't report me. I'm just a sales agent. I'm not like you—you can just bat your eyelashes and get a house. You can yell at me all you want later..." Seeing the red mark on my foot, Marcin knelt down, his expression full of concern. He gently rubbed the spot. "Scarlett, it's okay. She didn't mean it." He looked up at me. "I'll carry you later." My chest tightened with anger, but I reminded myself we were here to buy our home. I forced myself to calm down. My grandfather had finally approved of our marriage; I was supposed to be happy. I gave a stiff nod and let it go. But as soon as we entered the model unit, my foot throbbed. I needed to sit down. As I moved toward the sofa, Brooke blocked my path. "Miss Sterling! One moment!" She hurried into the bedroom and returned with several towels, which she carefully spread across the sofa. "This is luxury furniture, Miss Sterling. We have to be careful, don't we?" She added, with a saccharine smile, "Don't misunderstand. I do this for all my clients. It's policy." She paused, her tone shifting. "Though, usually, ladies from wealthy families are more... considerate. I guess your etiquette lessons didn't quite stick." That was it. I shot to my feet. "What is that supposed to mean?" Marcin glanced over, frowning. Brooke's face instantly changed. She beamed at me. "Miss Sterling! You misunderstood! I'm just so envious that you found such a wonderful fiancé! It's not easy to marry into a family like this. I'm truly jealous." Marcin came over and knelt by my feet, patting my hand. "After this, I'll take you for ice cream, okay?" he murmured. "Don't be angry. You're not as pretty when you're angry." Brooke, clutching her towels, looked at me with wide, innocent eyes. "Miss Sterling, did I say something wrong? If I did, I sincerely apologize... I really didn't mean to..." I looked at Marcin, biting my lip to keep from screaming. It was just one sales agent. "Forget it," I muttered. Marcin gave me a fond nod and helped me up to continue the tour. The penthouse was a duplex, nearly 5,000 square feet of opulent design. Even the tableware displayed on the dining table was a designer set worth thousands. I was admiring the details when Brooke bumped into me from behind, sending me stumbling into the table. With a loud crash, the glass plates and goblets shattered on the floor. A shard sliced my leg. I spun around, ready to unleash my fury, but Brooke was already crying. "Miss Sterling... why were you so careless... I..." Marcin rushed over at the sound. I pointed at Brooke. "You pushed me," I said, my voice dangerously calm. Brooke looked up at Marcin, her eyes brimming with tears. "Mr. Hayes, I swear I didn't... I can't even afford to replace one of those plates. Why would I dare push her?" I pointed to the security camera on the ceiling and grabbed her wrist. "You think you can just deny it? Let's go. Let's watch the footage." Brooke shook her head frantically, trying to pull away. "Ow... Miss Sterling, you're hurting me... Maybe you were standing behind me, and I didn't see you. You shouldn't have been standing there!" She bent down to pick up the broken glass, tears streaming down her face. Her ridiculously short skirt made her look both seductive and pathetic. I kicked at the shards in frustration. "What kind of people do they hire here?" Seeing my genuine anger, Marcin wrapped his arms around me. "Scarlett, it's okay. I believe you." He held me tight. "It's just some broken glass. We can afford it. Besides," he added, changing the subject, "I've looked around, and I really like this duplex. It's perfect for our first home." At the words "first home," Brooke, still on the floor, flinched. Her eyes were red, her voice choked with emotion. "But, Miss Sterling... I thought... that sugar daddy who bought you two other condos seemed to treat you so well..." She sniffled. "Oh, dear. I remember now. Miss Sterling, you have more than one, don't you? Do they know about each other?" The way she said "sugar daddy" was loaded with insinuation. Marcin and I both stared at her. She feigned a sudden realization that she'd misspoken. "Miss Sterling... I didn't mean... I just remembered that I've seen you here before..." Marcin turned to me, completely bewildered. "Scarlett, what 'sugar daddy'?" Before I could answer, Brooke jumped in. "Mr. Hayes, don't misunderstand..." She hesitated, for dramatic effect. "Last month, I saw Miss Sterling here with an older man. I'm pretty sure I heard her call him 'daddy'... And then I overheard her on the phone, calling someone else 'daddy' too..." She gave me a nervous little smile. "But, I could have misheard." I drew out a long, slow "Mmm-hmm," a smirk playing on my lips. "You didn't mishear. I did buy two units in this building. Is there a problem?" I paused. "And as for the 'daddy' you mentioned..." It took Marcin a few moments to process. When he did, he rounded on Brooke. "How dare you spread such rumors? Scarlett would never be that kind of person." Brooke shook her head vigorously. "But we have security cameras and facial recognition all over the building, Mr. Hayes. You can check the footage if you don't believe me..." I was done with her. I grabbed my bag and started for the door. "The agent who helped me last time was named Claire. She was far more professional. I'll ask for her." At the threat of losing the commission, Brooke panicked. "Miss Sterling! No! I was wrong!" Marcin hurried after me. "Scarlett, I believe you. We'll get a different agent." Back in the main sales gallery, a woman rushed towards me. "Miss Sterling! I didn't expect to see you again so soon!" Marcin looked from Claire to me. I met his gaze. "Marcin, it's true. I bought two condos here a while ago." My father had made his fortune in real estate. Even though he lived abroad now, he loved to buy property everywhere. Marcin knew this. He didn't question it, just patted my shoulder reassuringly. "I never doubted you. But this time, we're buying our home." Claire beamed. "Oh, you're buying a home with your fiancé! Congratulations, Miss Sterling!" Just then, Brooke ran up, pushing Claire aside. "Claire, you know the rules about client poaching!" she shrieked. "I was helping Mr. Hayes first! You can't steal my client!" Her outburst drew a crowd. The sales manager hurried over. Claire looked baffled. "Mr. Hayes and Miss Sterling are buying a home together. Naturally, both their names will be on the deed. But Miss Sterling is my client. It's been less than 45 days since her last purchase. According to the rules, she's still my client!" The manager quickly grasped the situation. "That's correct. By the rules, this commission belongs to Claire." Brooke glared at me. "Then why didn't you say so earlier, Miss Sterling?!" I put on my most innocent expression. "First, if you recognized me, how could you not know? Second, you were the one clinging to my fiancé from the moment he walked in. We never asked for you. Third, I'm the customer. How am I supposed to know your internal rules?" Brooke's face went pale. She grabbed Marcin's arm, pleading. "Mr. Hayes, it's my fault I offended Miss Sterling. But... maybe you could just put the house in your name? I mean... you're not married yet..." I scoffed. My parents were paying the down payment. As if Marcin would dare agree to that. He took a deep breath and shook her off. "Whatever my fiancée wants."
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