Shopping Mall
"Baby, today we're going to shop until our hearts are satisfied!" Larissa announced excitedly as they entered the mall.
Kassandra smiled.
"As long as you're happy."
A saleswoman immediately approached them.
"Welcome, ladies."
"We'd like to see your latest designs," Larissa said. "For both me and my baby."
"Certainly, Miss."
The saleswoman left to gather the clothing.
"What do you think?" Larissa asked.
"I'm fine with whatever you choose," Kassandra replied with a smile.
Before Larissa could answer, a mocking voice interrupted them.
"Well, look who we have here."
A young woman walked toward them with several friends.
Larissa's smile instantly disappeared.
"I knew today wouldn't end peacefully."
The woman smirked.
"Dear sister."
"And here comes my dear stepsister," Larissa replied coldly. "The daughter of the woman who seduced my good-for-nothing father."
Vivian's face darkened.
"You—"
"Don't tell me you're here to shop," Vivian continued. "Can you even afford anything in this place?"
Larissa smiled sweetly.
"Your name should have been Godsend instead of Vivian."
Vivian frowned.
"Why?"
"Because God has sent you here to pay my bills."
Kassandra nearly laughed.
Vivian's expression became even uglier.
"Don't get too comfortable. My father still loves me."
"Really?" Larissa asked. "Then congratulations."
"Unlike your pathetic mother—"
"Don't you dare mention my mother."
Larissa immediately stood up.
"Larissa," Kassandra said softly.
Her friend reluctantly sat back down.
At that moment, the saleswoman returned.
"Miss, your selections are ready."
Before Larissa could respond, Vivian stepped forward.
"I'll take everything she ordered."
The saleswoman hesitated.
"But Miss, she selected them first."
Vivian crossed her arms.
"Do you know who I am?"
The saleswoman's face changed.
"Miss Vivian Jackson..."
"Exactly."
The saleswoman immediately became nervous.
"What are you trying to do?" Larissa demanded.
Vivian smiled smugly.
"I don't think you can afford these clothes anyway."
"Are you kidding me?"
"That's reality."
Vivian shrugged.
"Money is power. If you have money, you can do whatever you want."
Then she looked at Kassandra.
"And what can an ugly girl like you do?"
For the first time, Kassandra spoke.
"What if we can afford them?"
Vivian burst into laughter.
"You?"
Her friends laughed too.
"Where would a poor ugly girl like you get ten million?"
Kassandra calmly reached into her bag.
Then she placed a black card on the counter.
The entire store fell silent.
The saleswoman's eyes widened.
"Is that..."
"The Unlimited Black Card?" someone whispered.
Shock spread through the crowd.
Rumors claimed only a handful existed in the entire world.
Vivian stared at the card.
"I don't believe it."
Her expression twisted.
"It must be fake."
The saleswoman hesitated.
"Miss..."
"Run it."
Kassandra's voice remained calm.
"If it's fake, you'll know immediately."
The saleswoman swallowed nervously and processed the card.
A few seconds later—
Payment Successful.
Ten million deducted.
The machine beeped.
The store fell silent.
Vivian's face turned pale.
"That's impossible."
She shook her head.
"The machine must be malfunctioning."
Kassandra looked at her quietly.
Then she smiled.
A small smile.
The kind that hurt more than any insult.
"Why is it impossible?"
Vivian said nothing.
Kassandra picked up her shopping bags.
"You judge people by their appearance."
Her eyes were calm.
"You humans are often worse than animals when it comes to that."
The entire store became silent.
No one dared to speak.
"Wait..."
Alexander leaned forward.
"Isn't that your little assistant?"
Ryan followed his gaze.
Down below, Kassandra and Larissa were standing near one of the luxury stores.
Alexander whistled.
"I must say, she's really something else."
Ryan remained silent.
He had watched the entire scene from the beginning.
The black card.
The confidence.
The way she remained calm while everyone else was losing their minds.
Where did she get that card from?
And why couldn't he find anything about her?
He had ordered his private investigator to look into her background weeks ago.
Nothing.
No useful information.
It was as if Kassandra had appeared out of nowhere.
Meanwhile...
"Baby, I must say, you've made me proud today."
Larissa could barely stop smiling.
"Did you see their faces?"
She burst out laughing.
"Especially Vivian's. She looked like she forgot how to speak."
Kassandra smiled.
"It wasn't that serious."
"It wasn't serious?"
Larissa stared at her.
"You nearly gave that woman a heart attack."
Then her expression became suspicious.
"Wait."
Kassandra immediately knew she was about to ask something troublesome.
"Where did you get that black card?"
Larissa narrowed her eyes.
"You didn't steal it from your boss, did you?"
Kassandra gasped dramatically.
"Wow."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"You've truly broken my heart."
Larissa laughed.
"Or..."
She leaned closer.
"You secretly found yourself a sugar daddy?"
Kassandra looked offended.
"Seriously?"
"I'm just asking."
"My heart hurts."
Larissa rolled her eyes.
"Fine. Jokes aside."
She pointed at the card.
"Who gave it to you?"
Kassandra paused.
"Someone."
"Someone?"
"Someone."
Larissa stared at her.
"Could it be your boss?"
Kassandra smiled.
"If that's what you want to believe."
Then she immediately changed the topic.
"I'm hungry."
"Of course you are."
Larissa shook her head.
"Let's go eat."
A few minutes later, they entered the food court.
"You really are a foodie."
"What can I say?" Kassandra replied. "I love human food. Your cooking is quite unique."
Larissa groaned.
"There you go again with your strange way of talking."
Kassandra suddenly stopped walking.
Her smile disappeared.
"What is it?"
Larissa immediately noticed the change.
Kassandra frowned slightly.
"I just felt my boss's presence."
Larissa blinked.
"You felt his presence?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Kassandra remained silent.
Larissa placed a hand on her forehead.
"Are you sick?"
"I'm not sick."
"Then why are you talking like some ancient martial arts master?"
Kassandra laughed.
"Maybe you're imagining things."
Larissa smirked.
"Or maybe you miss your boss so much that you're starting to hallucinate."
Kassandra rolled her eyes.
"Let's just eat."
As they walked away, Kassandra silently spoke in her mind.
Little Flame...
Am I imagining things?
The necklace around her neck glowed faintly.
A familiar voice answered.
No, Princess.
Kassandra's eyes narrowed.
He was here.
A brief pause followed.
And he's still here.
Right now...
He's inside the VIP room.