"What are you planning to do next? Shall we have lunch together?" Evelyn sent her warm invitation. "A new sushi restaurant just opened in the Falloon Mall near West Street. It's really nice! Let's go! Let's go!"
The four girls looked at each other. One thing that they had to consider was the price. After all, Falloon Mall was a luxurious place. However, they felt Evelyn's enthusiasm. So even with some financial constraint, they still agreed to go with excitement.
"It's so nice to meet you all! It will be my treat for lunch! Let me treat you all!" Bess offered. Her action was like saying, "If my queen is happy, then I will be happy as well. If you don't agree and make my queen upset, I will do my best to protect my queen!"
As the famous saying went, "Birds of a feather flock together." Ann finally understood this line. Even though they came to know Evelyn because of Elsa, they found Evelyn to be an easygoing person, just like Elsa was. Her smile was just so lovely, and all of them were drawn to her sincerity. As for Bess, she only wanted one thing, and that was to make Evelyn happy. Once Evelyn's spirits were high, then everyone else's would naturally be affected.
Just as Evelyn had said, the sushi restaurant was a famous and popular one. When they reached the restaurant, they had to wait for a vacancy. Being an ardent food lover, Evelyn didn't mind waiting. She knew that it would be worth it. Since they still had some time to kill, Evelyn suggested that they could go shopping in the mall first and come back later.
All the girls loved fancy things. They might not be able to afford them, but that wouldn't prevent them from pursuing luxury items. They started from the first floor and worked their way up. Evelyn was of the mindset that the mall was her family business, so everything was free for her. She could buy anything she wanted. After they finished shopping the first three floors, Evelyn was holding a bowl of takoyaki. Bess was holding a cup of milk tea for Evelyn, while the other four girls were laden with various shopping bags.
"Evelyn..."
Elsa squirmed inside, feeling guilty to accept all the expensive gifts.
"It's okay. Just accept them as our presents, half from me, and half from Bess." It was just like water off a duck's back for Evelyn. "Besides, since we're here, we should all enjoy ourselves. When someone buys me presents, I feel exhilarated." She held the takoyaki high and said, "My sister-in-law knows me the best. I love takoyaki!" Then she put up a rather exaggerated look and raised her brows, which made her look so cute and lovely.
The girls looked at each other. At that moment, they felt like Evelyn was just like a wealthy man who bought gifts for his secret lovers. 'Are all the Long Family members so rich?' they all wondered. Any single item in their shopping bags could easily have cost hundreds of dollars. The price of one blouse was over 1, 000 dollars, alone! Even for Ann, whose family was relatively wealthy, she couldn't afford that level of spending.
"You're pressuring Charlie." Bess shook her head and felt sorry for Charlie. "Elsa might feel pressured as well."
"Pressure is good!" Evelyn winked at her. "I need to prepare Elsa for her future life. She has to get used to it. If Elsa still needs time to get accustomed to life as a member of the Long Family, then Charlie will be burdened."
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