Chapter 39

"Go ahead! Buy whatever you want!" Severin said with a smile.

"Dad! Mom! Hurry up!" Selene's buoyant mood was evident; her happiness seemed unusually intense.

"I've never seen her so happy in a long time!" Diane smiled, watching Selene. Her daughter was the only reason she'd persevered until now.

Severin grinned. "That's because she saw her parents being all lovey-dovey!"

"Quit it. When was I lovey-dovey with you?" Diane rolled her eyes, quickening her pace. Severin led them into the shopping mall.

"Don't go to the second floor!" Diane panicked, seeing him head for the escalator.

"What's wrong?" Severin frowned. "Doesn't the sign say that's women's clothing?"

Diane explained. "The first floor is cheaper. Clothes there are a few hundred dollars at most. The second floor has luxury brands—tens of thousands of dollars!"

Severin, however, held the shopping bag in one hand and Selene in the other, heading for the elevator. "How am I going to spend a fortune if you don't buy something more expensive? Besides, my wife is beautiful, and deserves beautiful clothes!"

"I can't believe this man" Diane was both exasperated and amused. She thought he was wasting money, but appreciated his genuine affection for her and Selene.

"Sure thing, then. What he said makes sense. Can't blame me for being born good-looking!" Diane smirked, following them up.

Reaching the second floor, Severin put Selene down and led her into the first shop they saw.

"Hey, honey! The clothes here look pretty good!" Severin's eyes lit up. "Why don't we go in and have a look?"

Diane followed, frowning slightly. The store was a well-known international brand she used to frequent—before a five-year absence.

"Good afternoon, sir" A shop assistant greeted Severin. However, upon seeing his clothes and the simple woven bag (resembling a farmer's), her expression changed.

Though fleeting, Severin noticed it. "What's wrong? Am I not welcome here?" he asked, unhappy.

The woman smiled awkwardly. "No, no, no, of course you're welcome! We value all our customers!"

Despite her words, she clearly looked down on him. She assumed this "country bumpkin" wouldn't stay after seeing the prices.

The extraneous website promotion has been removed. The passage has been edited for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Word choice has been improved for a more natural flow.