As gave Austin a day to get his affairs in order. Once that day passed, he sent someone to check on Austin, but they got the cold shoulder and were sent


    packing.


    So, he decided to call Mirabe.


    When he rang her up, Mirabe was being dragged through a shopping mall by Delh, who was eyeing some jewels. She slipped outside the store to take the call.


    As gave her a quick rundown about Austin, "Since he''s ying hardball, should we maybe..."


    He left the sentence hanging.


    Mirabe, lounging against the mall''s ss railing, casually tapped her fingers and said, "As, you do whatever you think is best."


    As, hearing this, rxed a bit. "You think the missus will be okay with this?"


    Mirabe nced at the jewelry store window, then looked away, her voice breezy, "It''s just business. Doesn''t matter who gets the short end of the stick."


    As chuckled, appreciating Mirabe''s straightforwardness, a refreshing change from Grady''s endless chatter about manners that everyone was sick of.


    They didn''t chat much longer and wrapped up the call quickly.


    Mirabe tucked her phone away, leaned on the railing for a little more until she saw Delh waving her back inside the jewelry store.


    Delh had a dozen pieces picked out, all from thetest collection. She grabbed a diamond ne and moved to put it on Mirabe, "Try this, darling."


    Mirabe, eyeing the bling with a grin that only those pinching pennies know too well, replied, "Maybe not, I''m already wearing something."


    As she spoke, she pulled out the ne she had on under her ck sweater to show Delh.


    "More is more when ites to jewelry..." Delh insisted, fastening the ne around Mirabe''s neck. After a quick look, she nodded approvingly, "Not bad, let''s try some others."


    Mirabe: "..."


    After trying on a few more and feeling a bit overwhelmed, Mirabe excused herself to step out for a breather.


    As she headed to the restroom, she thought to herself that shopping really wasn''t her thing.


    Wouldn''t curling up with a book be so much better?


    When she finally dragged herself back after about ten minutes, Delh had already paid, loading up a big shopping bag with over a dozen little boxes.


    Seeing the store manager''s grin that practically split their face, Mirabe resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose, wondering if asking for a refund would have her thrown out.


    Soon enough, Delh was leading Mirabe to yet another luxury store,


    bemoaning the trials of having a daughter who''d rather stay in than shop.


    *


    Kitty, on the other hand, was finally able to rx a bit with Donald''s health on the mend. She decided to drag him along on a shopping spree today.


    They''d been wandering around the mall for a while when Kitty spotted one of her go-to luxury boutiques. Through the window, she caught sight of Delh inside, picking out clothes.


    In a white fur coat, Delh looked every bit the picture of luxury, grabbing attention even from afar.


    Kitty frowned, her steps faltering as she recognized her sister, someone she hadn''t expected to see on this shopping trip.


    Standing still, her husband noticed she''d stopped and turned back, puzzled, "Why''d you stop?"


    Snapping out of it, Kitty looked at him, remembered something, and then took his hand.


    Goodnight, folks! I''ll adjust the update schedule tomorrow to avoid posting sote. Just needed azy day today, but I promise to catch up on the missed chapter tomorrow. TTTT