With a professional bodyguard’s keen intuition, Laney sensed someone following her as soon as she entered the shop. Yet,
every time she glanced back, nobody seemed suspicious.
lan, noticing her distraction, asked with concern, “Mrs. Harding, what’s wrong? Why do you keep looking back? Is there
something behind you?”
Laney checked once more, but still saw no one. She shook her head. “Nothing. Maybe I’m just overly cautious since I recently
gave birth.”
Ian smiled. “In that case, ninjanovel.com I’ll make you some nourishing dishes when we get home. Let’s pay the bill first.”
Laney nodded, and they proceeded to the checkout.
Hidden behind a snack cabinet near the cashier’s desk, Garrett and Evan squatted, able to interact with Anya without Laney and
lan noticing. Garrett squatted down and playfully poked ninjanovel.com Anya’s little face with his finger, and she giggled,
grabbing his finger. Her adorable reaction warmed his heart, and he instinctively reached out to hold her.
Evan pulled him back, whispering urgently, “Mr. Harding, Mrs. Harding will spot you! What if she thinks you’re a creep?”
“I’m the child’s father. Can’t I even hug her?”
Although reluctant, Garrett resisted the urge.
As Laney prepared to pay, the cashier scrutinized her and announced, “Congratulations, lady. You are our 100th customer today.
As part of a promotion, you can get all your items free of charge. No need to pay.”
Stunned, Laney pointed at herself, disbelieving. “You mean I won the prize?”
The cashier offered a sly smile. “Yes, your bill is covered.” Thrilled, Laney realized she had never won anything before, and this
time, her winnings covered at least ten thousand dollars’ worth of items.
lan, however, furrowed his brow and squinted at the cashier. “How do you know we’re the 100th customer?”
The cashier’s explanation couldn’t withstand scrutiny. Flustered, she stammered, “I, um... I counted...”
Seeing her hesitation, lan grew more suspicious. “You counted? As a cashier, would the store entrust you with deciding the
winner of such a large prize?

Aren’t they concerned you’d bring in someone to pose as the 100th customer?”
The cashier struggled to answer lan’s inquiries. They were at an impasse for several minutes, with the cashier unable to
respond. After lan’s interrogation,
Laney also realized something was off. Her face darkened, and she demanded,
“Tell me the truth. What’s going on?”
The cashier stammered, “I... I...”
Unable to find an excuse, she finally caved in, pointing to Garrett hiding in the corner. “Your husband asked me to do this! He
wants to get you back on his side!”
Laney looked where the cashier pointed and saw the familiar figure. Her expression shifted dramatically.
“Garrett?”
Garrett’s froze. He raised his head awkwardly and offered a strained smile. “Hi, Laney. What a coincidence!”
“When did you get here?” Laney frowned, recalling the feeling of being followed since entering the shop. She asked, her voice
tinged with displeasure, “Have you been following us since we arrived?”

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