Chapter 324: Regrets and Retail Regret

Ellis found that the travel company had already addressed her concerns even before she voiced them. She responded with a smile, “I wonder what information you received about me? Are you sure all my expenses are covered by your company?”

“Of course!” the clerk nodded confidently. “Just pick whatever you like without spending a dime. We just need to keep track and report it to the company.”

“Thank you!”

After expressing her gratitude to the clerk, Ellis happily entered each shop, meticulously selecting items she liked. As someone who wasn’t wealthy, seeing prices starting in the thousands made her think uncontrollably about buying everything wholesale to resell later—it would be like hitting the jackpot. But good fortune shouldn’t breed greed. There’s definitely a limit to all expenses! Besides, she only had two hands and couldn’t carry that much.

Not worrying about prices or whether the items were worth their tags, only if she liked them, was a liberating shopping experience she hadn’t had in a long time. By the time she left the mall, there wasn’t a gap left on her arms for another shopping bag.

After arranging her ‘victorious spoils’ neatly, Ellis took photos to share with Maya. “Look, all this was for free! Do you like anything? I’ll bring it back for you.” Sharing the bounty with a good friend was the least she could do to not let down Maya’s kindness.

Maya didn’t respond immediately, probably busy with work. Ellis wasn’t in a rush for Maya’s reply; after all, it was only her first day on the cruise, and there was still time to shop more.

With plenty of time before bed and having already taken a long nap, Ellis decided to have a drink. The cruise offered two types of bars—a quiet lounge and a livelier pub. She preferred the more peaceful lounge.

However, on her way to the lounge, she glimpsed a familiar figure ahead that she’d recognize even if turned to ash. Easton? Am I seeing things, perhaps my eyes aging prematurely? She wasn’t in Stonebridge but miles away at sea. To confirm she wasn’t seeing things, she blinked several times and rubbed her eyes before focusing intently. She wasn’t mistaken! It was indeed Easton’s tall, distinct figure.

To avoid Easton seeing her, she turned swiftly, hoping to disappear like lightning. But it was a step too late.

“Ellis.”

Hearing Easton’s voice behind her, Ellis cursed under her breath but didn’t stop walking. Yet, despite her brisk pace, Easton easily caught up to her and blocked her path like a human wall.

With her way blocked, she glared at him. “Can’t you take a hint? Or at least act like you understand when enough is enough?”

The appearance of Easton made Ellis doubt whether her good fortune was truly from Lady Luck or just some ridiculous act by him. Is he playing games with me?

Knowing she was out traveling, Easton had managed his longing well, but once the dam of his feelings had burst, it was uncontrollable. He couldn’t resist freeing up some time to come to this cruise.

Facing her pointed questions, he pretended not to hear, maintaining his composure. “I was just being polite by saying hello when I saw you.”

With that, Easton stepped aside to clear the way for her. Ellis didn’t buy that he was just saying hello. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she scrutinized him from head to toe, trying to gauge his true intentions.

“Get a hobby!” she said, hitting him lightly on the chest—a gesture devoid of real force but full of symbolic meaning.

Easton was used to Ellis’s occasional physical expressions; compared to the slap he had received last time, this was nothing, feeling more like a scratch than pain.

A few steps later, realizing he wasn’t following her, she looked back. “You must be really free these days. Is the Hudson Group going under? Is the Hudson family about to collapse? You waste time like this when you should be working, you loser. The Hudson family will fall because of you.”

She taunted him, hoping it would make him disappear from her sight faster and stop bothering her. Unexpectedly, Easton didn’t react to her harsh words and simply walked away. He had heard worse things said about him and didn’t mind her insults. Her mood affected by his presence, he felt it was only fair to take a few verbal hits. At least she is acknowledging me, isn’t she?

Easton’s figure soon disappeared, leaving Ellis to close her eyes in resignation.