The three of us drove to Arkadia and headed straight to the children''s department.


    The girls'' section was filled with a dazzling array of items. Arnold was overwhelmed and fluttered around, eximing at every item. He insisted that he wanted to buy everything. Ultimately, I took charge and picked out two dresses and a pile of essories. After all, Ava had a lot of clothes already, and I couldn''t possibly buy her everything. Whenever As went abroad, he would usually return with a whole set of clothes, dressing her from head to toe.


    She would even receive gifts from Ivanna, Lauren, Rose, Ryan, and Carol and Eleanor.


    Her dressing rooms were like little stores, overflowing with items.


    Whenever I tried to stop them, they all said the same thing.


    "Daughters are meant to be spoiled."


    I was both helpless and speechless.


    This time, As bought art supplies for Jenny while Arnold shopped for toys for Myra''s child and Charlie. After more than an hour of shopping, we had quite a haul.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Arnold urged us to hurry home so Ava wouldn''t have to wait long.


    The three of us carried our bags of purchases and left the store. In the lobby on the first floor, As encountered the manager of the jewelry store, who briefed him on the recent situation. Arnold said, "Wait for me when we get to the entrance. I''ll get the car."


    We walked to the entrance together, and Arnold left to get his car while I waited for As and the driver.


    But as soon as we stepped out of Arkadia''s main entrance, we ran into Michelle, who was leaving the mall.


    She loudly called out to us from a distance. "I texted you, Chloe. Why didn''t you reply?"


    I was puzzled. "You texted me?"


    She walked quickly toward us with her bags.. "You don''t know?"


    I smiled apologetically. "Sorry! I don''t really check my messages, so I had no idea!"


    She didn''t look pleased. "Look at


    you. We said we''d text. I''ve already organized the ss reunion, and if I hadn''t bumped into you today, all my efforts would have been in vain."


    "When is it?" I asked.


    "Tomorrow night at 7 PM, on the second floor of The Aviary. Don''t forget," she reminded me. "You''re such a busy person."


    I quickly nodded, responding, "Got it. I''ll definitelye."


    "That''s settled then. Don''t forget to be there," Michelle said. She suddenly noticed the pile of shopping bags at my feet. Skeptically, she said, "What''s all this?"


    I hurriedly responded, "I bought some things for the kids."


    Michelle''s eyes flicked to the bags in disbelief. "Damn, you bought all that from Arkadia?"


    I understood what she was thinking and didn''t want to waste time exining myself. I quickly said, "I just followed a friend here."


    Sure enough, she immediately


    became cheerful. "I knew it. You''re


    so extravagant. You''re buying things for kids at Arkadia? Things here are so expensive. What would a little kid know about expensive things?"


    I just smiled and agreed, "That''s true."


    At that moment, As finished his business and walked out,ing over to me.


    The driver pulled up in the car. Without saying a word, As bent down, picked up all the bags, and handed them to the driver.


    Michelle''s eyes fixed on As. Her


    jaw fell open, and she forgot to continue talking to me. She stared at As and asked, "Chloe, who is this?


    You didn''t even introduce him to


    me


    I smiled helplessly and was about to speak when Arnold''s car squeaked and stopped right in front of us.


    Arnold got down from the car, which was surprisingly low-key but definitely expensive.


    Michelle took a quick nce at him, narrowed her eyes suspiciously, shot me a questioning look, and finally fixed her gaze on As, seemingly enchanted.