Silence fell over the room.
“I’m sorry,” I said slowly. “She tried to purchase what?”
“A Barnes & Noble location,” Ryan clarified. “I just got off the phone with the manager. He said she was quite serious. Luckily, he was kind enough to explain that it was a franchise and a singular store couldn't be sold.”
Theo blinked. “You’re joking.”
“I wish I were.”
Emily covered her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh. “She tried to buy the whole store?”
“Yes,” Ryan said. “I was thrown off guard by the whole thing.”
A slow smile spread across my face. I ignored the notifications, wanting to be surprised by what she bought, though this was completely unexpected. Now I wondered what else she bought and if those were as unpredictable as this.
Ryan ran a hand through his hair. “He sounded very confused. He thought it was a prank at first.”
I shook my head slightly, almost impressed.
Emily couldn’t contain herself anymore. She burst out laughing. “She’s unhinged. I love her.”
Theo wheezed. “You married a menace.”
“No. He married a visionary.” Emily wiped her eyes, grinning. “I’d buy a bookstore too.”
I glanced down at my phone again as more notifications rolled in.
“I told her she could buy whatever she wanted,” I said calmly.
Ryan looked like he wasn’t sure how to respond to that.
“Is that everything?” I asked.
“Yes, sir,” Ryan responded quickly. “But I thought you should know immediately.”
“You did the right thing,” I picked up my phone again, glancing at the confirmed transactions. “If the bank calls again regarding any other purchases made by my wife, confirm them.”
Ryan blinked. “All of them?”
“All of them.”
He nodded slowly. “Yes, sir.”
Theo shook his head, almost amused. "She's spent over three million dollars already."
“Yes,” I mumbled, unable to hide the faint hint of admiration in my voice.
“I don't care what anyone else says, I'm impressed,” Emily grinned to herself. “I didn’t think she’d go that far.”
Theo clapped slowly, still staring ahead. "Remind me never to cross her."
I leaned back in my chair, unfazed. “You two are being dramatic.”
“Dramatic?” Emily stared. “Regret giving her your card?”
“I told her what I’m about to tell you. She can do whatever she wants.”
Theo echoed. “Whatever she wants?”
