Chapter 51 Audrey

I stepped out of Edwin's sleek black car, and my eyes widened into saucers as I took in the gleaming storefront in front of us. This wasn't some run-of-the-mill electronics shop-it was one of those high-end places where they kept the really expensive stuff. Like... Really expensive.

"Edwin," I hissed, grabbing his arm as he locked the car. "We can't shop here. Everything's going to cost a fortune."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "And?"

"And I can't afford any of this!" I gestured wildly at the window displays showcasing the latest smartphones with their eye-watering price tags.

"I told you I was going to pay."

I pursed my lips. "But... Still," I insisted. "It's too much money. Look, why don't we just go to a cheap store? I'll get a basic flip phone. It'll do the job."

Edwin's face hardened. "Absolutely not. I won't have my teaching assistant using a cheap phone."

"But"

"No buts," he said firmly, grabbing my shoulder in one hand and steering me toward the entrance. "You need a reliable device with good functionality. End of discussion."

as

I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing further; although, there was no hiding the pink flush in my cheeks from his

I turned to take in the gleaming white kindness. As soon as we stepped inside, however, my flush turned into a look of awe surfaces and state-of-the-art devices.

It wasn't long before a peppy sales associate with a sleek blonde ponytail and a smile that could kill bounded over to us.

"Welcome! How can I help you today?"

Edwin nodded at me with his arms folded across his chest. "She needs a new phone. The best

you have."

The associate beamed, either not noticing or choosing to ignore the sudden deep redness in my face. "Right this way!"

deep

spinning by the time I finally settled on a sleek

gushed. "Is there anything else

there was a display of drawing tablets. My fingers itched at the sight. Edwin had wandered off to look at laptops, and so I figured I

the tablets, just curious to look at it more

try anything out," the sales

up the stylus of a floor model. It felt perfect in my hand, weighted and sleek. Within moments, I was lost in my own little world, sketching out a dress design that had been floating around in my head for days. "That's impressive." Edwin's voice startled me out of my creative trance. I hadn't even noticed him coming up

Sep

Chapter 51

a new laptop under

@X15%

+5

the stylus. "Oh,

said, studying the intricate design on the screen. "Do you want

my head. "No, no. I'm just having fun. Maybe once I'm officially working for Claudia, I can save up

say anything, he

picked out," he

dropped. "Edwin, no! You

completely ignoring

choices! Your daughter

was a moment of stunned silence before Edwin and I both started

"Oh, we're not-"

"She's not my-"

self-consciously. "Do I really

looked utterly affronted. "Do I look old enough to be her

sorry! I didn't mean to assume, I

curtly, although his jaw was clenched. Meanwhile, I couldn't decide whether I wanted

of the transaction passed in awkward silence. As we left the store, I clutched the bag of expensive electronics to my chest,

approached his car. "I

the car doors. "You needed a phone" he said matter-of-factly, "And the

least let me

99

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