Chapter 40: Let’s Go Shopping.

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Let’s Go Shopping.

Simon stood in front of Flora, waiting for her to speak.

Flora sat on the sofa with her legs crossed. Her eyes moved from his face to the stairs and back to him.

"Why were you talking to the staff I fired?" she asked coldly.

"Madam, I was only trying to calm her down."

"Calm her down? Did I ask you to do that?"

"No, madam."

"Then why did you sneak to meet her at the gate? It seems you enjoyed the show she displayed in front of your door?"

Simon maintained his composure. He knew Flora was annoyed, and he didn’t want to over-explain and add more salt to the injury.

"The chef was fired because of me. I thought it was better to speak to her than allow the situation to become worse. I really don’t want to add to her problems and be the reason she was fired."

Flora stared at him.

"And what if I decide that you have also become a problem in this house? Do you want me to fire you too?"

Simon opened his mouth to answer. Before he could speak, Flora’s phone beeped on the table.

She glanced at it, expecting an ordinary notification. She picked it up and opened the message. Her eyes moved across the screen.

"Crest Development Company has officially signed the contract. The ￡150 million payment has been credited to your account.

She read the message again. For a moment, she remained silent.

Simon watched her face. A few seconds earlier, she had been questioning him as if he had committed a serious crime. Now she was looking at her phone without saying a word.

Then Flora smiled.

It was not a loud reaction. She did not shout with excitement. She simply smiled. It was a beautiful, sweet smile that softened her face and made her look younger. The coldness in her eyes disappeared.

Simon stood still.

He had seen Flora angry. He had seen her disappointed and impatient. But he had never seen this smile before.

So this is what she looks like when she is happy, he thought. He found himself staring longer than he should have.

Flora noticed him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He quickly lowered his eyes. "I’m sorry, madam."

"Did you suddenly forget how to speak?"

"No, madam."

"The contract I have been expecting has been signed," she announced.

"Congratulations, madam."

"Thank you.

"That is good news, madam."

"Of course it is good news.

Flora placed her phone on the table and stood up.

"Call Grace."

"What should I tell her?"

"Tell her to inform everyone in the house that we are going shopping."

"Everyone, madam?"

"Did I speak another language?"

"No, madam."

"Then do what I asked."

"Yes, madam."

Simon called Grace with the intercom and gave her the instructions. When he ended the call, Flora was already walking toward the staircase.

"Should I prepare the cars?"

"Of course. What do you expect us to do, fly to the mall?"

Simon lowered his head to hide his amusement.

"Make sure the G-Wagon is ready. I don’t want to spend the whole morning waiting for you."

"Understood, madam." He said quietly.

Flora climbed the stairs. Simon watched her disappear before turning toward the entrance. For some reason, her smile remained in his mind. He wondered what kind of woman Flora had been before her husband’s death. Perhaps she smiled more often. Perhaps the woman everyone feared today had once enjoyed simple moments of happiness.

He quickly pushed the thought aside. For now,he needed to concentrate. He was happy that he had finally signed the contract .

Within a few minutes,the entire house became busy. Grace moved from room to room, informing the staff about the shopping trip. The housekeeper hurried to finish her work, while the gardener cleaned his hands and changed his clothes.

Maya also received the message. When she came downstairs, she found Simon near the entrance.

"Where is my mother?"

"Upstairs, changing her clothes."

Less than one hour later,at about 10:12 am everyone was ready.

Flora came downstairs wearing a comfortable but expensive outfit. Her hair was neatly arranged and her diamond earrings shone.

"Is everyone ready?" she asked.

"Yes, madam," Grace answered.

"Good. Let’s go."

Everyone stepped outside. The black G-Wagon stood near the entrance, its polished body reflecting the morning sunlight. Simon opened the driver’s door. The housekeeper and gardener entered and took their seats beside each other in the back. Grace and Zoe followed them, while Simon settled behind the wheel.

Flora headed toward her latest Range Rover, where Maya was already waiting.

"Get in," Flora told her.

Maya looked at her mother.

"What exactly are you going to buy? You can easily order it online."

Flora did not look at her.

"No. I want everyone to have a shopping experience. Do you have a problem with that?"

Maya quickly shook her head.

"No."

Flora adjusted her dress.

"Anyway, you look gorgeous."

Maya smiled.

"Thanks. You too."

Soon, the two vehicles left the mansion.

Simon drove the G-Wagon along the beautiful streets, keeping a safe distance behind Flora’s Range Rover. The streets were busy, with expensive cars moving past shops and elegant buildings.

"It’s been a long time since I went shopping with everyone," the housekeeper said happily.

"Let’s hope nobody gives Madam a reason to become angry today," the gardener replied.

"Maybe you are the one who will make Madam angry," the housekeeper said.

Zoe and Grace laughed.

"How will I make her angry? You are the only who makes her angry, you are always spoiling chandeliers and picture frames in the house," the gardener said.

Everyone laughed.

"Don’t worry. The trees in the garden will soon grow taller than you. You will break them by bending it, your neck will break too," the housekeeper said.

"I will climb on your back then," the gardener said.

The housekeeper looked at him. "Old man who eats children’s food."

Everyone laughed again.

"I wish both of you would end up getting married," Grace said.

"Never! Not in my next life!" the housekeeper replied.

Simon heard their conversation but kept his attention on the road.

A few minutes later, they arrived at a luxury shopping mall.

Flora parked her Range Rover near the entrance. Simon parked the G-Wagon beside it. He stepped out and walked toward Flora’s vehicle. Before he could open her door, Flora had already stepped out.

She looked at the impressive glass entrance, then turned toward the others.

"Everyone, listen carefully. Today, I don’t want anyone worrying about work. We are here to enjoy ourselves. If you see something you need, buy it."

The housekeeper’s eyes widened.

Flora called Grace over.

Grace came.

Flora handed her a MasterCard.

"Everyone should shop for 30 minutes. Once the time is up, you should stop," Flora said.

Grace nodded. "Thank you, ma’am."

Then the four of them headed into the mall.

Maya moved closer to her mother, while Simon followed a few steps behind them.

As they entered the mall, Simon glanced at Flora again. She was smiling. And although he had no idea why, he found himself hoping that nothing would destroy that smile.

Inside the mall, everything looked expensive.

The lights were bright and the floor was clean and shining. All the products were sparkling. From the household items stores to the electronic stores and the boutiques, everything looked new and beautiful. The air was cool and smelled like perfume.

The staff excused them and headed upstairs. Flora, Simon, and Maya entered a luxury boutique store.

The boutique was quiet and different from other stores. The clothes were not crowded. Each dress was hanging alone like it was important. The bags and shoes were arranged on glass tables. The price tags were hidden. It was obviously a store for the rich.

There were a few people buying things inside. As soon as Flora entered, everyone stared at her. It was not just because she was beautiful. It was because she carried herself like a woman who owned everything. Her dress was simple but expensive. Her skin glowed. She walked slowly, like she had no worries in the world.

Flora looked around and then turned to Simon.

"Pick anything you like from the men section," she said.

Simon shook his head. He put his hands in his pockets.

"No, thank you. I have enough clothes," he said.

Flora looked at him for a second. She knew he was not comfortable. But she smiled and let him be.

Maya was already busy. She was in her own world, picking luxury handbags, shoes, and dresses. She would hold a bag up, check it in the mirror, and drop it in the basket. She looked happy and excited.

Flora walked to the other side of the store. She was admiring an outfit. It was a long white dress with simple stones around the neck. She touched it gently. She was imagining how it would look on her.

While she was busy admiring the beautiful clothes, a guy walked up to her.

He was very young, cute, handsome, and rich-looking. His hair was nicely cut. He wore a designer shirt and expensive shoes. He looked like a man who had never lacked anything. He smiled at Flora with confidence.

"Hi, I am Richie" he said. "I have been watching you since you entered. You are stunning. Can I have your phone number?"

Flora was surprised, but she smiled. She was not angry. She found it funny and sweet.

"Thank you," she said calmly. "But I am a mother. My daughter is here with me."

At that exact moment, Maya came towards them. She was holding three dresses in her hands.

"Mom, what do you think about these?" Maya asked.

The young man looked at Maya and then looked back at Flora. His eyes opened wide. He was truly shocked.

"What? She is your daughter? No way!" he said. "You both look like sisters. I thought you were her elder sister. You are too young and beautiful to be her mother."

Maya smiled. She liked the compliment. Flora laughed softly.

"Thank you, but I am really her mother," Flora said.

The young man did not give up. He moved closer.

"That means you are even more special. Please, just your number. Let me take you out for coffee. Just one coffee," he said.

He was still talking when Simon, who had been sitting at one corner watching everything, stood up.

Simon had been quiet all this time. He was watching Flora from far. He saw how the young man looked at her. He saw how the man smiled and tried to touch her hand. His chest became tight. He felt a strong jealous feeling that he could not control.

He stood up slowly and walked towards them. His face was serious. His steps were firm, but his eyes were fixed on the young man.