Jasmine Sterling was taken aback by her daughter’s words. Thinking about it, it really had been a long time since she had simply gone out shopping with her.
Ever since her daughter started her second year of high school, her studies had become demanding. Jasmine herself had barely had any days off, always trying to earn overtime pay. She couldn’t even remember how many years it had been since they last went shopping together.
This was the first time her daughter had come back after getting into college, and it just so happened that Jasmine was unemployed and had free time. She really should cherish these few days and spend more time with her daughter.
With that thought, Jasmine’s worries eased, and she smiled. "Alright, Mom will go take a shower and change."
In late September, the heat in Veridia made people antsy and irritable. Even the wind felt warm.
At the Waterside Pavilion, a high-end private spa, the moment they stepped inside, a blast of cool air mixed with a pleasant, fragrant aroma instantly dispelled the sweltering heat from their bodies.
"Cecilia, your mom and I are getting on in years. Why do we need to get spa treatments? It’s just a waste of money, isn’t it?"
The black and gold lobby was understated yet luxurious. The first impression it gave was one thing: expensive.
"What do you mean, ’getting on in years’? My mom isn’t even 45 yet, and Auntie, you’re just a little over 40!" Cecilia said.
Jasmine Sterling gave a helpless smile. "And that’s not ’getting on in years’? Your aunt and I are middle-aged women!"
"Exactly. Our kids are already in college."
"Age is just a number. What’s most important is your mindset. A young mindset is what makes you truly young." Cecilia, linking arms with each of them, said solemnly, "I’m in charge of the plans today, just as we agreed. No one is allowed to be a spoilsport. All you have to do is enjoy yourselves."
Seeing Cecilia’s high spirits, Jasmine and her sister couldn’t help but exchange a wry smile. Still, they both nodded and promised in unison, "Alright. You arrange, we enjoy."
Only then did Cecilia break into a satisfied smile.
"Welcome to the Waterside Pavilion. Ladies, please present your membership card."
The receptionist at the front desk was dressed in an all-black professional suit, addressing them with a practiced, professional smile.
Hearing this, Cecilia asked softly, "This is our first time here. What do we do if we don’t have a membership card?"
"Well, Ma’am, the Waterside Pavilion is a members-only establishment, so we don’t serve non-members. However, if you plan to be a regular customer, you are more than welcome to apply for a membership card today."
The receptionist’s attitude was professional yet friendly, a clear sign of formal training. This gave Cecilia a very high first impression of the place. Just as she was about to nod and apply for a card, a surprised voice suddenly called out from the side.
"Jasmine? Yvonne?"
The sudden voice startled Jasmine and her sister, who had been focused on observing their surroundings.
Snapping back to reality, they turned their heads to look and were both shocked to see who was beside them.
Jasmine Sterling instinctively forced an awkward smile. "Evren? What a coincidence..."
"Evren Lynn?" Yvonne Sterling exclaimed in astonishment. Looking at his well-dressed, suit-and-tie appearance and the young woman by his side who looked at least ten years his junior, Yvonne’s pupils contracted slightly.
’In her memory, Evren Lynn hadn’t looked anything like this. It seemed he had truly transformed after climbing the social ladder.’
Evren Lynn instinctively looked Jasmine Sterling up and down. Although she had been run ragged between her children and her job over the years, Jasmine’s natural-born features couldn’t hide her lingering, delicate beauty. If that weren’t the case, she wouldn’t have given birth to two daughters who looked as beautiful as angels.
"It must’ve been over a decade since we last saw each other. You haven’t changed much at all," Evren Lynn said, his voice full of emotion.
As soon as he said that, the young woman beside him was instantly on guard, shooting a wary look at Jasmine Sterling.


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