“…” Agnes didn’t know how to respond.
“Good girl, go try it on!” Jane handed her a bright orange dress, treating her like her own daughter.
Agnes couldn’t refuse and reluctantly walked into the fitting room.
As she looked at the price tag, she was shocked! It cost almost as much as her monthly salary! It was a five-figure amount!
What should she do?
This was just a fake engagement, she couldn’t take anything else from the Fritz family. How would Tom look at her?
The engagement gifts from last time were already expensive, and she couldn’t even return them.
“Agnes, have you changed yet? Why haven’t you come out? Do you need help?” Jane knocked on the fitting room door with concern when she noticed the silence inside.
“I’m almost done.” Agnes collected her thoughts and reluctantly put on the expensive dress.
Jane thought about her son’s engagement, especially since Agnes was such an attractive girl. She sincerely wished for her son’s laboratory to be in Arkpool City so that they could get married soon!
When Agnes finally came out in the dress, Jane’s smile became even more elegant and charming. She held the girl’s hand and admired her, saying, “You look beautiful! The dress fits you perfectly! Your figure is amazing!”
“But… it’s too expensive, it costs tens of thousands.” Agnes felt burdened.
“We’re not short on money. As long as my daughter-in-law likes it, it’s fine.” Jane said as she casually picked up two scarves and draped them on Agnes. “They match well, very nice. Do you like them?”
Agnes shook her head, unable to hide the pressure on her face.
Jane could tell that she was shaking her head because of the price, not because she didn’t like them.
Today, Jane wanted to buy everything for her daughter-in-law. She handed the scarves to the nearby salesperson and said, “Wrap them up for us. We’ll take both. They go well with the dress. Let’s also look at some handbags.”
“Sure.” The salesperson was delighted. “Madam, you have great taste. These are all designer items unique to our store.” Her commission for today would cover two months’ worth of wages.
Soon, Jane led Agnes to the handbag section and helped her choose carefully.
Looking at Jane’s smiling face, Agnes thought of Tom and her beloved Mr. Cat.
She also remembered their seven-year unrequited love and the moments they spent together in their last two days. Her emotions were complicated.
She truly loved him… but she didn’t know how to love him, unable to move forward or let go.
But under Jane’s persistence, she ended up with a complete outfit, from handbags to shoes, all packed up in bags big and small. And Jane insisted on paying for everything.
“This is a gift from Mom. How can you buy it yourself?” Jane happily swiped her card but suddenly noticed that her wrist was bare. She couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “Agnes, where is the bracelet Mom gave you?”
The girl quickly explained, “It’s too valuable, so I kept it hidden away. I can’t bear to wear it.”
“But Mom would really like you to wear it. Wearing it brings good luck and makes your wishes come true. Everything will go smoothly.” Jane smiled and said to her, then took her outside with a relaxed and cheerful tone. “You don’t have to think of it as something valuable. This bracelet isn’t expensive; it just has special meaning. If you lose or break it, Mom can get you another one.”
“Jane Auntie, I…”
“Call me Mom.” Jane stopped walking and looked at her earnestly. “Since we’re engaged, you’re already our Fritz family’s daughter-in-law. It’s our tradition here in Arkpool City. Don’t you know?”
Facing the woman’s sincere gaze, Agnes still found it difficult to speak up.
Although it was a fake engagement, the kind-hearted girl didn’t want to disappoint Aunt Jane who seemed genuinely happy today.
So Agnes raised a corner of her lips and said, “Thank you for the gift, Mom. Can I take a taxi home by myself? It’s getting dark outside; you should go home early or Grandma will worry.”
“No no no! It’s not safe for a girl to take a taxi at night. Mom will drive you home.” Jane hugged her shoulder affectionately. “Good girl, come here!”
Soon enough, she opened the passenger door for Agnes again.
Agnes had no choice but to get into the car. Her emotions were particularly complex; things seemed to be getting more and more out of control.
Meanwhile, Ansel had already arrived outside Agnes’ apartment building. He occasionally checked his watch and estimated that if she didn’t work overtime today, she should be home soon. He decided to wait a little longer.