Most silverware and jewelry stores in Brooklyn offered custom services. Even some high-end jewelry and luxury brands accepted custom silver orders, though the cost was naturally higher. If a well-known designer was hired, the expense would be even greater.
Shane originally thought Olivia would just find a decent-sized shop nearby. Unexpectedly, she had an epiphany. Her spending skills had grown again! She drove him straight out of Brooklyn to Manhattan's Fifth Avenue.
Fifth Avenue is one of New York's iconic landmarks, packed with attractions. From south to north, there's the Empire State Building, New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Central Park. Near Central Park lie famous art museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. Thus, it's known as "Museum Mile."
Fifth Avenue boasts a "Street of Dreams," gathering many famous brand stores. It's considered a high-end shopping district.
The two parked the car off the street, bought two coffees, and started strolling.
Shane knew little about luxury brands. Before transmigrating, he barely recognized a few domestic luxury brands, let alone foreign ones. Although Olivia was a born-and-bred local with a wealthy background, her childhood experiences destined her not to be interested in things ordinary girls or socialites cared about.
Where do you think her agility and marksmanship came from?
How many girls carry a gun with them?
Even if they carry a gun for self-protection, whether they dare to fire it is another matter.
Passing a jewelry store, Olivia asked Shane, "How about this one? Looks pretty busy."
Shane shook his head. "Crowded doesn't necessarily mean expensive."
Olivia shrugged.
They continued walking along the street, passing many jewelry stores. Either they were too crowded, or the class and scale looked too average. A few seemed nice, but as soon as Shane and Olivia mentioned wanting custom silver items, the salespeople's attitudes instantly cooled. Their indifferent, perfunctory faces made the two turn around and leave immediately.
"Tiffany... Tiffany & Co. I've heard of this brand."
Finally, Shane encountered a brand he recognized.
"What would you two like to see? Our Tiffany brand was born in New York in 1837. It is a famous jewelry and watch brand, the Queen of Jewelry, renowned for diamonds. Innovation and design are the two cornerstones of our Tiffany heritage. With themes of love and beauty, romance and dreams, we have been celebrated for nearly two centuries." A sales associate approached with a smile before speaking, enthusiastically inquiring and introducing.
Just for this enthusiasm and service that felt like a spring breeze—as long as they could meet his needs, this was the place.
"I want to custom order a batch of silver products."
"Sir, Tiffany is absolutely your best choice. We were originally famous for silver tableware, and became even more famous in 1851 when we launched silver ornaments."
This sales associate really spared no effort in introducing and promoting the Tiffany brand.
"Please follow me. This is our store's most famous designer." The associate led them to a counter and introduced the designer inside, who was attending to other customers, to Shane and Olivia.
"These two guests would like to custom order silver products," the associate told the designer, then turned back to Shane and Olivia. "What would you like to order? Rings, necklaces, or earrings? Our custom tableware is also excellent, whether for daily use or display."
Shane flicked his sleeve and produced a Kunai. The Kunai danced between the back of his hand and his wrist like a butterfly, spinning deftly back and forth. The designer and the sales associate watched dumbfounded, and even nearby customers were captivated.
Snap.
Shane caught the Kunai and handed it to the designer with a smile. "This is the product I want to order. Material: solid silver. Specifications: identical. Quantity: let's start with ten. If I'm satisfied, I'll place a bulk order. Also, I won't be in New York for too long. In three days, I hope to see the finished products."
"As for the price..."
Shane winked at Olivia, then turned to the somewhat bewildered sales associate. "Pick a number between 1 and 10. What would you choose?"
"Sir, your request is a bit too..." It was the first time the associate had seen someone order something like this. Is this a weapon?
Shane interrupted with a smile, speaking confidently, "Answer my question first. Once you answer, I believe the problem you want to mention won't be a problem anymore."
The associate thought for a moment. "Then I'll choose 3. I've been working at this store for 3 years."
Shane nodded. "Material costs, design fees, rush fees, etc.—tell me a total price. I will pay three times that amount. In addition, if the finished product satisfies me, for this order and all future orders, I will give you three percent of the payment amount as a reward."
Three times the total cost?
Plus an extra three percent of the payment amount?
If the cost was one million, three times would be three million. Three percent of three million was ninety thousand. Split between two people, that's forty-five thousand dollars each.
Forty-five thousand dollars.
That was roughly equivalent to the associate's annual salary.
"S-sir, are you serious?" The associate stammered with excitement, and the designer stood up in agitation.
Shane nodded with a smile. "Of course I'm serious."
To prove Shane was serious, Olivia beside him expertly opened her shoulder bag and took out several stacks of cash. "Personal advice: you'd better calculate the price right now."
"Yes, yes, we're on it."
The sales associate snapped out of it. The designer was already examining the Kunai, multitasking as his fingers flew across a calculator.
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