Shopping

The next morning, Rue was still half asleep when she heard movement outside her bedroom.

A moment later, Rita pushed the door open.

"Good, you're awake."

She crossed the room and tugged lightly on the blanket.

"Breakfast is ready. And don't forget, your brother's taking you shopping today."

Rue opened her mouth to decline.

Then she stopped herself.

The money Rita had given her last night had already stretched the family's budget. Refusing now would only make them feel bad.

So she simply nodded.

"Okay."

After breakfast, Cody drove her to Kingsley Galleria.

The upscale shopping center was home to nearly every major luxury brand in the country. Even the smallest purchase could easily cost more than most families spent in a month.

A massive digital billboard dominated the main entrance.

ROUX FALL COLLECTION

LIMITED RE-RELEASE

Rue's gaze lingered on it for a moment.

Cody noticed immediately. A grin spread across his face.

"Those clothes would look incredible on you."

Rue glanced at him. "They're just clothes."

"That's what people say when they don't own them." Cody laughed. Then he patted his pocket dramatically. "Don't worry. Your brother has savings."

Rue looked amused. "How much?"

"One thousand dollars." He puffed out his chest. "I've been saving for years."

The amount wasn't particularly impressive.

For the Blackwoods, however, it represented a significant sacrifice.

"Today," Cody declared, "you can buy whatever you want."

Rue smiled but didn't argue.

As they entered the mall, they quickly discovered why the parking lot had been packed.

The second and third floors were overflowing with people.

Nearly everyone seemed headed toward the Roux flagship store.

Excited conversations filled the air.

"Roux only releases a handful of designs every year. I heard there are fifteen new pieces this time."

"The most expensive dress is nearly seventy thousand dollars. Forget buying one. I just want to see them in person."

Rue raised an eyebrow.

Seventy thousand?

That was ambitious even by her standards.

Before she could think more about it, someone slammed into her shoulder from behind.

Cody reacted instantly, catching her before she lost her balance.

"Oh."

A familiar voice rang out.

"What a surprise."

Rue turned.

Ariana stood several feet away with a group of designer-clad friends.

The smile on her face was anything but friendly.

"I didn't expect to run into you here."

Her gaze swept over Rue and Cody.

"Business must be slow if they're letting just anyone into Kingsley Galleria these days."

Several girls around her laughed.

Cody's expression darkened.

Rue, meanwhile, looked entirely unbothered.

"What a coincidence." A slow smile curved her lips. "Seeing you here almost made me question the mall's standards."

The laughter died immediately.

Ariana's face stiffened.

One of her friends snorted. "Still pretending to be important?"

Ariana folded her arms.

"Let's be realistic." She looked directly at Cody. "I know exactly what kind of money the Blackwoods have."

Then she turned back to Rue.

"You're not actually planning to buy anything, are you?"

"Most people come here to shop." Her gaze sharpened. "You look more like you're here to kill time."

The implication was obvious.

Several people nearby exchanged glances.

One of Ariana's friends added, "Maybe they're just enjoying the air conditioning."

A few chuckles followed.

Cody took a step forward.

"Ariana."

His disappointment was obvious.

"What's gotten into you?"

He genuinely couldn't reconcile the girl standing before him with the one he'd grown up protecting.

Ariana simply shrugged. "I'm telling the truth."

Then she looked at Rue.

"You don't belong--"

The words had barely left her mouth when Rue moved.

SMACK!

The slap landed cleanly.

The crack echoed across the marble floor.

For a second, the entire entrance went silent.

A bright red handprint appeared on Ariana's cheek.

She stared at Rue in disbelief.

"You hit me?"

"Yes." Rue's answer was calm.

The simplicity somehow made it worse.

Ariana nearly exploded.

"Security!" Her voice rose sharply. "Are you blind? She assaulted me!"

She lunged forward.

Cody immediately caught her wrist.

She couldn't move an inch.

His expression was ice-cold.

"That's enough."

Ariana's eyes widened. She had never seen him look at her like that.

Rue stepped forward. The amusement vanished from her face.

"You should enjoy this while it lasts."

Her voice was soft enough that only Ariana could hear.

A chill ran down Ariana's spine. "What do you mean?"

Rue smiled.

The smile never reached her eyes.

"You'll find out."

Ariana's heart skipped. For a brief moment, memories of the documents in the hospital flashed through her mind.

The confidence she'd been wearing all morning suddenly cracked.

Rue turned away.

"Come on, Cody." She hooked her arm through his. "This place isn't worth our time."

---

Several floors above them, a private glass elevator descended slowly through the center of the mall.

A tall man stood inside with one hand resting on the railing.

Dressed entirely in black, he looked striking even in stillness.

His complexion was pale, almost unnaturally so, and every so often a quiet cough escaped him.

Below, the commotion near the entrance caught his attention.

"What happened?" His voice was low and cool.

Kieran stepped forward. After glancing down, his eyes widened.

"I think..."

He hesitated.

"I think that's Rue Sterling."

The man's head turned sharply.

For the first time, genuine emotion appeared on his face.

"Are you sure?"

A minute later, the elevator doors opened.

Kieran exited first.

Several bodyguards followed.

The man remained in the center of the formation.

"Invite Miss Sterling to the lounge."

Kieran didn't waste a second.

"Immediately."

As Rue reached the entrance, a voice called out behind her.

"Miss Sterling."

She stopped.

A group of black-suited bodyguards approached.

The crowd instinctively moved aside.

One of the men stepped forward respectfully.

"Mr. Vanderbilt would like to invite you to join him for tea in the VIP lounge."

The entire mall seemed to freeze.

Then the whispers started.

"Vanderbilt?"

"Wait..."

"Are they talking about Julian Vanderbilt?"

"The Vanderbilt family?"

"No way."

One of the girls beside Ariana grinned and nudged her shoulder.

"Ariana, what if Mr. Vanderbilt is here for you?"

The others immediately exchanged excited looks.

Another girl grabbed Ariana's arm.

"Seriously. Think about it. If someone from the Vanderbilt family noticed you..."

She trailed off, unable to hide her excitement.

Everyone knew what that would mean. The Vanderbilts were in an entirely different league.

Compared to them, even the Sterling family barely registered.