"Ms. Suthend, what a coincidence running into you here! Are you doing some holiday shopping too?"
In the underground parking lot of the shopping mall, Rnd steadied M, who had nearly fallen, with a warm smile.
"Thank you."
M expressed her gratitude, stepping back slightly to create some distance. But then she realized it might seem too deliberate, especially since he had just helped her. She decided to continue the conversation a bit more.
"You and your brother are here for holiday shopping too?"
She nced at Ryan, who stood beside Rnd, ring at her since they met, and quickly looked away.
Great, just what I needed, she thought.
"What are you doing?"
Rnd noticed Ryan''s barely concealed hostility and gave him a light p on the back of his head.
His clueless brother!
"Come on, I didn''t do anything! I didn''t even say a word, and you''re hitting me in front of her!" Ryan protested, holding his head indignantly.
He couldn''t understand why his brother was always so polite to M when he knew how much Ryan disliked her. It felt like a betrayal of brotherly loyalty!
Rnd ignored him and turned to M with a friendly suggestion. "Since we''re all here to shop for the holidays, why not join forces?"
M, who had been refusing to engage with him over the phone, found it hard to decline in person, especially after he had just helped her.
And so, the three of them entered the mall together.
Ryan, the sole objector to this n, found himself with no say in the matter and soon became the designated cart pusher. As he maneuvered the cart, piled high with purchases, he shot angry nces at Rnd and M, who walked ahead, chatting amiably. He felt a deep sense of betrayal from his own brother.
It''s like he''s choosing her over me, he fumed internally.
Wait a minute...
A sudden realization struck Ryan. Could it be that his brother actually liked M? That woman had nothing worth liking! Especially since she was already married!
He would never ept his brother marrying a divorced woman, especially M! She wasn''t worthy!
"Hey, Rnd!"
Impelled by urgency, Ryan pushed the towering cart forward, eager to confront his brother.
M, walking ahead, felt a sudden draft behind her. Before she could react, Rnd pulled her to his side.
They both watched as Ryan, propelled by his own momentum, crashed into a nearby shelf. His upper body plunged into a pile of goods, leaving only his legs kicking in the air.
"Help! Rnd! Help me!"
M was speechless. That was... impressive.
Rnd sighed, feeling embarrassed by his brother''s antics.
Causing a scene in a mall over something like this was truly unparalleled.
Rnd apologized to M for the unexpected ''fright'' and then went to rescue his brother from the mess of merchandise, before dealing with thepensation for the damaged goods and shelf.
M took the opportunity to excuse herself, leaving with the small portion of holiday goods she had already purchased.
She feared she might burst outughing if she stayed any longer.
Poor Rnd—a bright and capable man stuck with such a dim-witted brother. But
then again, thinking of her own younger brother, it wasn''t so funny.
The Lockwood brothers might squabble, but they genuinely cared for each other.
As for her...
No, she wouldn''t dwell on it.
M loaded her shopping into her car and drove back to her home in the Willow Estates.
After handling thepensation, Rnd returned to the car with Ryan, who was nursing a bump on his head and moaning about the pain.
As soon as they got in, Ryan couldn''t hold back any longer.
"Why are you so nice to M? Do you like her? I swear, I won''t ept her as my sister-inw! She''s just a divorced—"
Rnd cut him off with an exasperated sigh, finally losing patience and giving him another light p on the back of his head.
"You''re such an idiot! Is that all you think about? How did I end up with such a clueless brother? Besides, you have no say in my affairs. You''re getting ahead of yourself. Want to challenge me?"