Chapter 165: An Unexpected Extra

In a society like the Baylor Federation, how much money you spend determines the level of service you receive. This idea is deeply ingrained in people’s values and worldview, and no one sees anything wrong with it.

Indeed, there is some resentment toward the wealthy, but most people still highly admire wealth.

Katherine’s mother felt this keenly. Some neighbors were gathering around her, and it was obvious: Katherine had connected with a wealthy man. They couldn’t curry favor with Katherine or the unknown rich man, but flattering her mother seemed less difficult.

Who knew—her mother might be able to help them get a good job someday?

Katherine didn’t notice a detail: after Lynch registered her membership, another clerk closed the store door and hung a VIP in Service sign, asking potential customers to wait in the nearby café.

Drinks and pastries consumed in the café would be covered by the clothing brand store, but only if they showed their membership card.

Internally, the supreme treatment satisfied the feeling of “I alone am honored” money can create.

Externally, this goodwill stirred desire for membership in others and pleased existing members.

At least those who could afford membership wouldn’t stoop to scrounging a free coffee and pastry — that would be embarrassing.

Those truly looking to cheat had no such opportunity.

The entire second floor of the hotel was filled with such stores. Unlike the luxury brand shops in some malls, many considered stores selling standard sizes not truly luxurious — just luxury for ordinary people, lacking heritage.

Katherine chose two summer sets and four autumn sets.

September was approaching. In Kurland, October’s cool weather meant summer clothes would soon be worn less.

Autumn would last about two months, followed by winter.

Winter’s trends were not yet clear; designs wouldn’t be ready until November. Katherine would have to return then.

After selecting clothes, all that remained was waiting. Katherine’s requests, once confirmed, would be sent to headquarters. Skilled tailors would handcraft her custom pieces.

It wasn’t as intimidating as it sounded. Handcrafted was mostly a gimmick.

In reality, this nationwide chain of fine stores wasn’t top-tier luxury. They assembled pre-made components by size. The difference between handmade and assembly-line work was only in the final step.

Still, many preferred this service.

As they left, the clerk gave Katherine a membership gift box containing high-end cosmetics and some popular women’s items.

If a new member were male, the gift would be ties, belts, wallets, and similar items.

With all staff seeing them off, they left the store. The sign changed back to Open, and everything returned to normal.

“That’s terrifying. Can you tell me how much all this costs?” Katherine whispered. “Should I take a deep breath?”

Lynch hadn’t told her the price, and she hadn’t asked — it would embarrass them both. She knew how to preserve his dignity.

Now outside, curiosity gnawed at her. Was it as shockingly expensive as she imagined?

“Not much. Twelve thousand Sol,” Lynch said. Such a sum was trivial to him. He chose the brand because it had influence among young, fashionable people.

Don’t underestimate university or its complexities. Today, only two types of people can afford college.

The first are those admitted with scholarships and research grants before they even start — preparatory scientists, far above typical bookworms.

These people will lead cutting-edge research that shapes humanity’s future.

The second type are middle-class or soon-to-be-middle-class families. Even with insurance for education, paying for college is often impossible without selling a house.

These families understand trends, fashion, and dressing better than average households.

Brands unknown to many ordinary kids are often familiar to them, though not always owned.

When Katherine occasionally appeared wearing such clothes, anyone who wanted to bully her had to consider whether they could afford the consequences.

Paying twelve thousand a year just for membership, and thousands more per outfit, these people could easily make troublemakers regret their actions — effortlessly.

Kids in the lower districts might stab someone at night for a thousand Sol.

For twenty or thirty thousand Sol, they might even kill.

So whether or not people respected Katherine, they feared her. Lynch could do little else for her but ensure that.

Hearing Lynch’s words, Katherine rolled her eyes. “I don’t know if I’ll ever save up ten thousand. How am I supposed to pay you back?”

“You’ve already paid part,” Lynch said. “Happiness is the best return. Today, I laughed more than in the last three months combined — maybe more. That’s the best repayment.”

“People always say happiness is a cure-all,” she replied. “When the economy’s good, everyone’s optimistic. Pursuing happiness is seen as right. This belief still holds in mainstream society, which is why things keep getting worse—they haven’t woken up yet.”

Lynch took her hand and walked to the next store. He didn’t tell her the clothes still required extra payment. “I gave you a perfect start. Whether it ends perfectly depends on you.”

Just one day later, at Kurland City Stadium, Katherine witnessed a scene she might never forget.

Perhaps Richard wanted a splash outside Sabin City, or to catch up with Lynch’s pace. He was very serious.

He set the auction seats at 6,000, making this event look much larger than Sabin’s, though only a thousand more actually attended.

Besides a chance to win a free belt, attendees wanted to see the miracle firsthand — a downtown apartment starting at one Sol, now worth over fifty thousand. Everyone thought they had a shot, which was why they came.

From the start, the atmosphere was electric. The auctioneer hadn’t even warmed up, yet excitement was already high.

Katherine had never seen so many crazed people gathered — not for sports, but just to spend money. The more she knew, the more powerless she felt.

More exhausting was having to keep smiling, while reporters came by to photograph them. Her cheeks began to cramp from smiling.

“Good job, Richard,” Lynch said, tossing him a solid-color cigarette worth forty-nine Sol and ninety cents — a high-end brand.

He actually had another one worth about twenty Sol in his pocket.If Richard hadn’t done well, he would have only gotten the twenty-Sol cigarette. But since he was performing impressively, he deserved better treatment.

Richard grinned so wide he couldn’t close his mouth, repeatedly thanking Lynch for his promotion. Though older than Lynch by several years, Richard sometimes acted so shamelessly that Lynch half suspected he might not hesitate to call him dad.

Inhaling the premium cigarette, watching the boiling crowd below, he smelled the intoxicating scent of wealth filling the arena.

With a five percent personal commission, Richard’s earnings from this auction could exceed twenty thousand Sol — maybe even more.

No matter how much he earned, Lynch earned more. He didn’t mind sharing some profits with such a capable subordinate.

“Among all my partners, Richard, you’re the one I trust most.”

“Only you give me peace of mind, and only from you do I see a light — like gold.”

“One month,” Lynch said, holding up a finger, “If your auction volume doesn’t drop significantly over four events within a month, I’ll assign you to manage the branch in the capital!”

Suddenly, a surge of excitement flooded Richard. The capital was the state’s only first-tier city — a bigger market, larger audience, and far greater profits.

He felt his blood boiling. Those who treated him like a parasite or trash would regret their short-sightedness. He was destined to become the second successful person after Lynch, and he would prove it.

When that time came, he vowed to fulfill his dream:

To throw his cousin and former female desk mate onto the bed, then beat them until they cried and whimpered!