Catherine could feel it clearly. She knew that sales assistants in places like this often judged people by appearances—or more precisely, by perceived wealth. She just hadn't expected this particular clerk to take that snobbish mindset so far. She hadn't even made a purchase yet, and the clerk had already decided she couldn't afford anything.
Gerald's mother, who had been standing nearby, also walked over and positioned herself beside Lucca. With an air of lofty condescension, like a benevolent savior, she said,
"If you don't have the money, I can pay for it for you."
Gerald's mother knew Renata as well. Back when Renata was still married to Channing, their families had been neighbors in the villa district, and for a time Gerald's mother and Renata had been quite close. Later, after Renata divorced Channing, moved away with Catherine, and refused to take a single cent from him—choosing a life of frugality instead—the relationship between Lucy and Renata gradually faded.
