Chapter 73: Vandalism

"How did you and Ethan meet?"

Cassandra asked, turning to Evelyn as she adjusted her apron.

Resting her chin on her palm, the white-haired lady hummed and thought about it.

"Well, our first meeting was at a cinema, but we didn’t talk back then. I only gave him a glance and was a little attracted."

Cassandra smiled, already interested in the story.

Amused by her eagerness, Evelyn continued. "I discovered he worked at a convenience store as a part-time job back then, and I visited the place often. Mostly just to see him."

Cassandra blinked. "Oh, looks like someone had already fallen~"

Evelyn giggled, a little embarrassed. "Well, I can’t blame myself for being attracted. Still, I kept visiting the store for about a week until he actually asked for my number."

"What?" Cassandra gasped. "So you weren’t just the one eyeing him? He was eyeing you too?"

Evelyn shook her head. "I’m not sure. But I think he did it because he suddenly had a spark of interest. I don’t know."

"Hmm." Cassandra nodded. "So how was your first date, like?"

Trying to remember, Evelyn paused. "It was a pretty simple one. We simply went to the beach and chatted for a while, sharing drinks and laughing. Then, as we came back, he took me to a game stall by the roadside where we played a few online games until nightfall."

She glanced inside the shop, ensuring Nora wasn’t eavesdropping on the conversation. Then, she continued.

"So we had a few more dates after that. Nothing official. Then one night, he abruptly asked me out."

She shook her head.

"I was stunned. I mean, I expected it, but it was so sudden that I blanked out. And when I accepted, our relationship became official. It wasn’t all rosy, but simple enough to make me content."

Cassandra’s eyes curved into crescents. "Yeah, I want something simple too. I don’t like going to fancy restaurants just for a date I might not be interested in."

Poking her side, Evelyn smiled. "But it’s not bad, you know? If you see someone interested in you, give them a chance. You might know them better that way..."

She paused, turning her head at the sound of a motorcycle’s engine. To her disappointment, it wasn’t Ethan.

Instead, four thugs got down from the bikes, each one smoking a cigarette. They glanced around and immediately set their sights on her shop.

Evelyn flinched. Standing beside her, Cassandra frowned. "These guys are definitely thugs."

Evelyn shook her head and stood as they approached the shop. When they finally stopped, she smiled politely.

"Hello, what would you like to buy?"

None of them answered her. Instead, they looked at the interior of the shop, treating her and Cassandra as if they weren’t there.

"Tch. There are so many fruits here. It’s blinding my eyes," One of them said with a scowl, looking displeased.

"Yeah..." Another nodded, blowing smoke from his lips and nose.

Evelyn held her breath, not wanting to inhale it. Smiling stiffly, she asked again.

"Are you here to buy something? If not, you’re blocking the shop, sirs."

They finally looked at her, disdain in their expressions.

"Tch. Your husband is really stupid and stubborn. Refusing to hand over this place to the boss. Doesn’t he know the rules here?"

Evelyn’s brows furrowed. "What...?"

One of them snorted and picked up a mango from the counter, biting into it. His expression lit up.

"These fruits are actually ripe and fresh. Haha, looks like we can enjoy a bit too today."

The one who had been standing at the back crushed his cigarette and said casually. "Let’s start already. I don’t want us to waste time." The other three immediately turned to the door and broke it, forcing their way into the shop.

"What are you doing?!" Cassandra shouted, angry. Evelyn pulled her back and shook her head.

They couldn’t resist them. Knowing that these people had come for the shop, she simply let them do as they please while moving inside to protect her daughter.

Deep down, she felt terrified. However, she couldn’t allow herself to be frozen in fear.

Nora was also startled to see the shop being vandalized by thugs, and she clung to her mother tightly.

The men ignored them, only focusing on destroying the shelves and fruits. They weren’t here to attack the women, after all. They were here to attack the shop itself and deliver a message.

However, before they could do much damage, two burlier men entered the shop after them.

Without hesitation, one of them swung his fist at a thug.

Bam!

Caught off guard, the punch hit the man squarely in the face, knocking him to the ground as he held his bleeding nose.

Seeing the men, Cassandra’s eyes lit up. They were her brother’s men, as they had frequented her coffee shop in the past.

She didn’t know they were still lurking around, but felt glad that they had intervened.

The leader of the thugs spat on the ground and turned to face the bodyguards.

"We were sent by the Skull Gang. I hope you know what you’re doing and back of—"

Slap!

A strong slap struck his face, and he was knocked into a shelf by the side. His vision swam, and he fell to the ground, dazed and in pain. The other two thugs immediately rushed at the bodyguards, but a few swift punches brought them down.

In just a few minutes, the four of them were on the ground, groaning in pain and discomfort.

"Miss Cassandra. Are you alright?"

One of the guys asked, glancing at them.

Cassandra nodded, immediately moving to call her brother.

"We already notified the boss. He’ll be here in a minute."

The young lady nodded and put her phone away.

Meanwhile, Evelyn finally managed to get on a call with her husband.

"Ethan..."

He replied instantly, noticing the tension in her voice. "What’s wrong?"

Holding her daughter’s hand tightly, she told him what had just happened.

Ethan went silent for a moment, then asked calmly. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head. "No."

He sighed in relief, then said, "Alright. I’ll be there soon."