Not Your Doormat Anymore

The saleswoman reached out to wrap up the necklace, but I stopped her. "No need to wrap it. Just print the receipt. I'll pay by card."

She quickly nodded and led me to the cashier.

"Jace, how long are you going to ignore Cass' feelings? She still cares about you. Are you sure you want to be this heartless?"

Seeing me head to the cash register, Casey looked anxious, leading Andrew to chime in.

"Since you're not heartless, why don't you be her backup instead?"

I didn't even look back as I left the two of them behind.

I was short on time and needed to get home by noon. Going to another mall would definitely make me late, so I decided to continue shopping here.noveldrama

Casey and Andrew clung to me like leeches, following every step I took, but I ignored them completely.

"Pick something that suits her."

"I want the same one!"

I had barely finished speaking when Casey cut in.

I frowned. The saleswoman looked back and forth between us. "Should I bring two of the same item, then?"

Casey huffed. "Start with mine!"

Kourtney looked like she wanted to speak, but it wasn't her place to decide. She turned her gaze toward me instead.

I shook my head. "You're young and beautiful. Any purse you carry will look better on you."

Casey's eyes nearly burst into flames. "Are you saying I'm old?"

I looked up at her. "She's 23. Don't you know your own age?"

Casey and I were the same age, almost 30. Even with her skincare routine and numerous luxury products, she still couldn't compare to Kourtney's youthful glow and natural collagen.

She clenched her fists. "Jace, are you really going to use this woman to humiliate me?"

"Did I ask you to follow me?" I shot back.

Casey stomped her foot. "And what a coincidence, huh? I just happened to come to this mall today, and so did you. If you're not here for me, then what else? I know you want to get back together but don't want to say it outright. It's okay, I'll give you the chance. Let's make up, Jace. Just send that woman back to the countryside and we'll get married right away!"

Kourtney looked uneasy, her fingers trembling slightly.

I let out a cold laugh. "If you love dreaming that much, why not go back to your

bed? Or do you just enjoy the thrill of playing games in public?

"Miss, wrap up the purse we picked. We're moving to the next store."

I didn't want to waste another word on Casey. Her way of thinking was completely twisted. She thought the whole world revolved around her, but I was no longer the guy who would bend over backward for her.

Kourtney and I swept through seven or eight stores, buying everything we needed. Casey trailed behind us, copying every purchase. Every time I picked something for Kourtney, she insisted on buying the same.

Kourtney tugged on my hand more than once, whispering that we should stop. Everything was too expensive.

I remembered how whenever I bought things for Casey back then, she would voice her dissatisfaction toward my money-grubbing. But at the same time, she would deliberately choose the most expensive items and make me send them to her.

Kourtney was nothing like that.

"This is just the beginning."

As I said that, I clearly heard heavy breathing behind me.

Even if the Newton family had weathered through the worst of it, their financial situation wasn't too stable right now.

Casey had probably blown through a few million dollars just trying to keep up with us today. Her stash had to be nearly gone.

She had always been a big spender, and saving money was never her thing. Thinking of that, I deliberately called over the saleswoman. "Show me the most expensive item you've got."

Her eyes lit up.

"Sir, you've come to the right place!"