Is she short of money?
Koa Jackson’s calm demeanor finally changed a bit, "How much did she borrow?"
"Four hundred thousand." Caiden Ward chuckled, "But, I gave more in consideration of your face."
"Where’s the bracelet?"
"I’ve got it in my pocket." Caiden Ward said proudly.
"Hmm, bring it to me later."
"Bring it over?" Caiden Ward snickered, "Young Master Jackson, Professor Jackson, Dr. Jackson, did I hear that right, who’s asking who here?"
"You heard right," Koa Jackson glanced at the time on his phone and said casually, "I get off work at five this afternoon. Just drop it off before then, bring the receipt."
"Why should I bring it?"
"Didn’t I say? I’m quite busy today, no time." Koa Jackson switched his phone to the other hand, lowered his head, and dusted off the edge of his white coat.
"I’m busy too!" Caiden Ward wailed on the other end.
"Busy too?" Koa Jackson pondered, smiled a little, "Busy enough to gloat?"
"No, cousin, it’s not like that!"
With that, Koa Jackson hung up the phone.
His fingertips moved to the contacts icon, clicked on it, and landed on Mia Ginger’s name.
After much thought, he didn’t dial.
He put the phone back and headed to his office.
Mia Ginger went to the bank.
When she came out, it was eleven-thirty in the morning.
She had three things to handle: buy a hat for Louis Cox; treat Zoey Leaf to a meal; and take money to Camilia Davis while convincing her to go to the hospital.
Taking a deep breath, she decided to start with the simplest task.
She called Zoey Leaf and headed straight to the nearby Canny Trade.
Canny Trade has six floors, the first primarily for cosmetics counters and shoes, the fifth for various restaurants, and the sixth hosts arcades and movie theaters.
The remaining three floors focus on clothing and bags. Mia Ginger glanced at the mall’s directory and went straight to the second floor.
Her shopping habits were different from typical girls. When she shopped, she had a purpose, seeking what she needed and rarely giving a glance to non-essential items.
After wandering to the right for a few minutes, Mia Ginger found a hat she liked.
It was from an outdoor brand from H Country, hats and bags selling well domestically. Not long ago, a popular reality show featured a male celebrity wearing a hat from their collection.
Mia Ginger’s gaze moved back from the store’s advert and took a step closer.
The salesgirl greeted her warmly, smiling, "How can I help you? Looking at hats? For a boyfriend? You’ve got a good eye, this one is from our store..."
Before the salesgirl could finish, Mia Ginger looked up at her, "Thanks, I’ll look myself."
"..." The salesgirl was stunned, "Suit yourself."
Mia Ginger turned the hat around for a look.
Retail price: 198 yuan.
Louis Cox only wore black, and the long brim suited him too, with a simple brand logo on one side, handcrafted embroidery modest yet exquisite.
She went to the mirror and put the hat on her head.
Mia Ginger’s skin was fair, sensitive to pain, and she wasn’t an exception to the burning sun of summer, which prickled her skin after being out for long.
Wearing a hat seemed like a good choice.
Gazing at herself in the mirror, Mia Ginger couldn’t help but smile, grabbing and trying on a girl’s hat in passing.
Dark brown, its brim shorter than the male hat, and with slightly different embroidered logos.
The price was the same.
After a comprehensive comparison, the salesgirl took her to the service counter to pay.
Raising her eyes as they reached the counter, Mia Ginger was a bit surprised.
Across from her, Marianne Jackson was holding another girl’s arm, her eyes moving from Mia’s face to the hat in her hand, sneering, "Brother Koa never wears hats."
"Is that so?" Mia Ginger expressionlessly stood in line.
"Of course." Marianne Jackson let go of her friend’s arm, crossing her arms disdainfully, "You’d better put it back, hats from this brand won’t even catch his eye."
As she finished speaking, an "oh" suddenly escaped her lips, and she abruptly changed the topic: "I forgot. Brother Koa never shops at malls. All his clothes and shoes are custom-made. You, a poor kid who grew up in a chicken coop, naturally wouldn’t know."
"Thanks for the lesson." Mia Ginger remained calm and unbothered.
At the service counter, she stood with no expression.
"Three hundred and ninety-six, cash or card?" The cashier glanced at her cautiously, quietly making assumptions.
"Cash." Mia Ginger took out the money and handed it over.
Her demeanor nonchalant, she completely ignored Marianne Jackson’s arrogance beside her.
Marianne Jackson felt embarrassed, and as she was about to speak again, Mia Ginger finished paying, turned her head and calmly said, "A noble phoenix is still a phoenix, even if it grows up in a chicken coop. A short-sighted chick remains a chick, even if raised in a phoenix’s nest. Sorry, that’s just the way it is."
"Pfft!" Two nearby salesgirls couldn’t hold back their laughter.
"You!" Marianne Jackson exasperated, swung her hand in anger.
Mia Ginger caught her wrist with ease, smiling casually, "Oh right. What I give is my business, and surely doesn’t need you, a sister born from a stepmother, to worry."
With that, she released Marianne Jackson’s wrist and turned to leave.
She was wearing flat shoes, Marianne Jackson was in high heels, and she lost her balance, grabbing her friend’s arm as she let out a weird yelp.
Mia Ginger didn’t look back; she still had a meal appointment with Zoey Leaf.
Marianne Jackson twisted her ankle, making it impossible for her to continue shopping, so she called the Jackson Family driver to pick her up.
A little after six in the afternoon.
Koa Jackson returned home, and as he stepped into the living room, he heard her angry complaints.
"Mom, do you hear the way she talks? Calling me a chick raised by a stepmother, it’s infuriating! So annoying, she even tried to hit me, luckily I dodged, still twisted my ankle though! Ah, it hurts, Sister Lilian, be gentle!"
"But weren’t you the one who called her poor first?" Lydia Williams chided with dissatisfaction, "Mia Ginger has a sensitive temperament, surely she can’t stand such words."
"Well, she bought Brother Koa the hat for over a hundred bucks, and I just said he only wears custom clothes!" Marianne Jackson said aggrievedly.
"A hat?" Lilian Jackson checked her ankle, laughing, "Maybe you’re mistaken. I saw her with a guy at the hospital entrance yesterday, he was wearing a hat, maybe she bought it for him. When buying gifts, it’s always best to get something the friend likes or needs."
"For someone else?" Marianne Jackson was puzzled, "But she bought a pair... Brother Koa..."
She saw Koa Jackson, and swallowed the rest of her words.