Chapter 790
Garrett rushed to the register to carry out his plan.
“Here is thirty grands,” he said as he pulled out a check and handed it to the cashier. “Could you please tell the lady with the child that they won a promo and everything they’re buying today is free of charge?”
The cashier shot him with a stern look and refused, “I’m sorry, I can’t accept this check. I have no guarantee that this isn’t fake.” Garrett’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he pushed the check nearer the reluctant staff’s face. “Look closely. It’s from the Harding Group. This is 100% a legitimate check, I can assure you.” Hesitantly, the cashier took the check and found no anomalies. It seemed to be genuine. However, she didn’t take her chances and remained skeptical. “Why are you doing this? The lady that you’ve pointed out looks like she’s married. You’re not trying to get between her and her husband, are you?”
Garrett couldn’t almost believe his ears. He was so angry that his face twisted into harsh lines before he burst out, “That bastard is by no means her husband! I’m her real husband! Alright?”
The cashier looked at Garrett with even more suspicion in her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself down and began to plead, “I’m telling the truth. I’m her husband. But the two of us fought, and she left our home with our child. She probably wouldn’t accept anything from me if I gave it to her myself, so I had no choice but to try this.”
As he finished speaking, he took out a photo of himself and Laney, showing it to the cashier.
The cashier finally believed him after seeing proof. She let out a sigh and said, “Alright. I’ll help you out.”
With a professional bodyguard’s keen intuition, Laney sensed someone following her as soon as she entered the shop. Yet, every time she glanced back, nobody seemed suspicious.
lan, noticing her distraction, asked with concern, “Mrs. Harding, what’s wrong? Why do you keep looking back? Is there something behind you?”
Laney checked once more, but still saw no one. She shook her head. “Nothing. Maybe I’m just overly cautious since I recently gave birth.”
Ian smiled. “In that case, I’ll make you some nourishing dishes when we get home. Let’s pay the bill first.”
Laney nodded, and they proceeded to the checkout.
Hidden behind a snack cabinet near the cashier’s desk, Garrett and Evan squatted, able to interact with Anya without Laney and lan noticing. Garrett squatted down and playfully poked Anya’s little face with his finger, and she giggled, grabbing his finger. Her adorable reaction warmed his heart, and he instinctively reached out to hold her.
Evan pulled him back, whispering urgently, “Mr. Harding, Mrs. Harding will spot you! What if she thinks you’re a creep?”
“I’m the child’s father. Can’t I even hug her?”
Although reluctant, Garrett resisted the urge.
As Laney prepared to pay, the cashier scrutinized her and announced, “Congratulations, lady. You are our 100th customer today. As part of a promotion, you can get all your items free of charge. No need to pay.”
Stunned, Laney pointed at herself, disbelieving. “You mean I won the prize?”
The cashier offered a sly smile. “Yes, your bill is covered.” Thrilled, Laney realized she had never won anything before, and this time, her winnings covered at least ten thousand dollars’ worth of items.
lan, however, furrowed his brow and squinted at the cashier. “How do you know we’re the 100th customer?”
The cashier’s explanation couldn’t withstand scrutiny. Flustered, she stammered, “I, um… I counted…”
Seeing her hesitation, lan grew more suspicious. “You counted? As a cashier, would the store entrust you with deciding the winner of such a large prize?
Aren’t they concerned you’d bring in someone to pose as the 100th customer?”
The cashier struggled to answer lan’s inquiries. They were at an impasse for several minutes, with the cashier unable to respond. After lan’s interrogation,
Laney also realized something was off. Her face darkened, and she demanded,
“Tell me the truth. What’s going on?”
The cashier stammered, “I… I…”
Unable to find an excuse, she finally caved in, pointing to Garrett hiding in the corner. “Your husband asked me to do this! He wants to get you back on his side!”
Laney looked where the cashier pointed and saw the familiar figure. Her expression shifted dramatically.
“Garrett?”
Garrett’s froze. He raised his head awkwardly and offered a strained smile. “Hi, Laney. What a coincidence!”
“When did you get here?” Laney frowned, recalling the feeling of being followed since entering the shop. She asked, her voice tinged with displeasure, “Have you been following us since we arrived?”
Upon seeing Laney’s face contort as if she were scrutinizing a freak, Garrett hastily clarified, “I didn’t follow you. I just happened to see you and the baby when I came here. Unsure of how to approach you, I only dared to trail you in silence.”
Laney’s expression remained unreadable as she inquired, “Did you ask the cashier to comp our purchase?”
“I just wanted to take care of you,” Garrett admitted, a hint of worry in his voice. “I feared you wouldn’t accept my money…
After a few seconds of contemplative silence, Laney decided to disregard him. She addressed the cashier icily, “I’ll pay for it myself.”
“But…” The cashier, noting the pitiable look on Garrett’s face, attempted to vouch for him. “Your husband meant well. If you two are having a disagreement…”
“I’ll pay!” Laney’s voice cut through the air like a shard of ice.
“Okay!” The cashier hastily accepted her money.
Having settled the bill, Laney pushed the stroller out of the store without so much as a backward glance. She hadn’t forgiven Garrett, let alone allowed herself to converse with him calmly.
