I wasn''t going to go easy on Lina this time. If she dared to provoke me, I would return the favor tenfold. She fell silent, her defiance evaporating as she numbly followed the security guards out.


    Once she was gone, I turned to the store manager. "If anyone like that shows up again, just handle them the same way. There''s no need to hesitate."


    The store manager nodded quickly. "Understood, Mr. White. Sorry to have troubled you."


    To lighten the mood, I suggested to Felicia that she pick out a couple of bags for herself. She chose two but refused to take more, so I let it go and led her downstairs.


    "What do you feel like eating?"


    "There''s this seafood buffet I''ve wanted to try. It''s 138 dors per person, but I''ve been too hesitant to splurge. William, could you... could you take me there?"


    "Of course!" I couldn''t help butugh.


    She was so cautious about just 138 dors. How little she understood my financial situation was almost endearing. Still, the fact that she was willing to request it was progress.


    While I didn''t like the idea of a girlfriend constantly asking for money or things, I even disliked her treating me like an outsider, too afraid to say what she wanted.


    The ideal bnce? Knowing when to ask without overstepping. That would be perfect.


    Felicia suddenly poked my shoulder as weughed and chatted on the way to the mall entrance, ready to grab a taxi.


    I turned to look and saw Lina sitting on the mall''s steps, clutching the same pile of clothes she had tried to return. She was crying softly.


    To be honest, she looked pitiful.


    "You reap what you sow," I muttered, shaking my head. It was hard to muster any sympathy.


    V


    Just then, I overheard her on the phone. "Dad, I''m sorry. I really am. But I desperately need this 90 thousand... Is this small sum of money worth cutting ties with me? I won''t marry him. Get that out of your head. I''d rather die than let you sell me off for a bride price to some cripple!"


    With that, she hung up. Her expression hardened into grim determination, and she suddenly stood up.


    An ominous feeling struck me like a lightning bolt. A secondter, she sprinted toward the busy street ahead.


    Felicia gasped in shock, dropping her shopping bags. Without thinking, I dashed after Lina. Just as one of her feet was about to step into traffic, I grabbed her by the waist and yanked her back.


    "Let go of me! What are you doing? Who are you? Let me go!"


    "Lina, calm down! Lina!"


    No matter how much I called her name, she wouldn''t listen. Finally, I raised my hand and pped her across the face. "Get a hold of yourself!"


    She froze, staring at me in stunned silence.


    Taking a deep breath, I gritted my teeth and said, "Is your life only worth 90 thousand? You''ve let me down, Lina. I thought you were a fighter who wouldn''t back down no matter how the world judged you. But you''re just a coward, ready to throw everything away over a trivial sum of money!"


    Her face flushed, her pupils quivering. "You... You don''t understand..."


    "Don''t I? I was falsely used of stealing over a million dors a few days ago. Everyone at school turned on me, but I never considered giving up my life. What makes you think you have the right to disrespect yours like this?"


    Lina was stunned again, clutching her face and unable to speak for a long time.


    Seeing that she had calmed down somewhat, sighed. "Before you left earlier, the store manager told me that they''re willing to take back your clothes at 90% of their value as depreciation. If you''re okay with that, head back upstairs and discuss it with them."