Chapter 97

"I almost forgot, even though your salary isn't great, with Mr. Windsor backing you, money's not really an issue."

Juniper sighed. "You are unlike us actors who bust our butts every day, flying around on wires, getting all banged up. Don't be fooled by the big bucks; it's all hard-earned cash."

As Juniper finished, the store clerk looked at her with a mix of admiration and sympathy. "You really have it tough."

Juniper nodded. "Exactly. Now that I finally have some time off, I wanted to buy something nice for the guy I like. Even though it's a bit pricey, it's still within my budget."

She then turned to Zoey. "Ms. Cavendish, I really envy you. You don't have to worry about price tags when shopping."

The clerk glanced at Zoey with a hint of disdain, clearly thinking Zoey had a suger daddy.

Zoey, unfazed by Juniper's sly digs, just smirked. "I don't care if you bought your clothes with your own money. I saw this outfit first, and there's no reason I should give it to you."

Juniper immediately put on a pitiful face. "Ms. Cavendish, can't you just let me have it?"

The clerk chimed in, "Why don't you let Juniper have it? There are plenty of other clothes in the store."

Zoey's expression darkened. "In that case, I don't want any of the clothes I had packed earlier."

With that, Zoey started to walk out the door.

The store manager, alert to the drama, rushed over the moment she saw the clerk about to drive her away. "I'm sorry, ma'am. This clerk is new and inexperienced. You did choose this piece first, so it should be packed for you."

She shot the clerk a stern look, instructing her to pack the clothes for Zoey.

No matter how famous Juniper was, she was nothing compared to Zoey, who was about to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars, and thus not worth the store's attention.

The clerk could only apologize to Juniper and then went to pack the clothes for Zoey.

Juniper's smile faltered, her anger barely contained.

Seeing the clerk bring out several bags of clothes, Juniper's jealousy flared.

She approached the counter and saw Zoey hand a black card to the store manager. She sneered, "Mr. Windsor is really generous, letting you use his black card."

Zoey looked at her with a faint smile. "It's not Mr. Windsor's."

Juniper was momentarily stunned.

The store manager, with an even more ingratiating smile, handed a pen to Zoey. "Ms. Spencer, please sign here."

Seeing Zoey finish signing, Juniper blurted out, "Is it your card?"

"That's right, this card is mine. You can keep shopping; the clothes here are nice, you should buy a few more pieces."

Zoey looked at Juniper coolly. "Also, Mr. Windsor and I have a normal relationship, not what you think. Don't misinterpret others based on your own skewed perspective. I earn my own money."

Seeing Juniper's face go pale and speechless, Zoey left the store with a cold smile.

The store manager turned to the clerk and scolded her right in front of Juniper. "Did you hear that? You need to use your own judgment. Just because someone is a celebrity doesn't mean you should believe everything they say."

She added, "If I hadn't stepped in, we would've lost a huge sale today, and you might've been fired."

The clerk stayed silent, not expecting Juniper, a superstar, to badmouth Zoey like that.

Juniper could clearly hear the store manager's sarcasm. Her face darkened with anger, and she quickly left the store.

Zoey put the shopping bags in the trunk, went to the market to buy some ingredients, and then drove home.

"Zoey, did you buy clothes for Gabriel and Travis again? This is too much. They already have more clothes than they can wear, even if they change every day," Claire exclaimed when she saw Zoey come back with several shopping bags.

Zoey replied, "These clothes are for Mr. Windsor. He's given us so many gifts. I need to show my appreciation."

Claire nodded. "That makes sense. Mr. Windsor will be thrilled when he sees them."

After putting the shopping bags in her bedroom, Zoey started busying herself in the kitchen, with Claire following to help.

As dusk fell, Henry returned to the apartment. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he could smell the delicious aroma coming from Zoey's place.

He was about to ring the doorbell when Zoey opened it.

Her face lit up with a sweet smile, and she was wearing an apron. Her voice was cheerful, "Mr. Windsor, you're back. Come in and wash your hands for dinner."

She then took Henry's hand and led him inside.

Standing in the hallway, Henry saw the table filled with a sumptuous meal.

Gabriel and Travis were already seated in their high chairs, happily calling him.

He thought, 'If only they called me dad, it would be perfect.'

At that moment, Henry suddenly felt a sense of home. His usually cold face softened like the thawing of early spring.

After washing his hands, Henry sat next to Gabriel and Travis.

Travis couldn't wait to tell Henry, "Henry, I have a secret to tell you. Mommy..."

Before he could finish, Gabriel covered his mouth with his hand.

Gabriel looked at Travis helplessly. "Secrets can't be told. Let mommy tell Henry herself. If you say it now, there won't be any surprise, understand?"

Travis showed a look of sudden realization and quickly nodded.

Gabriel then let go of his hand.

Henry looked at Zoey. "What do you want to tell me?"

Zoey just smiled at him. "You'll know after dinner."

Although Henry was eager to know, he could see that Zoey wouldn't tell him now, so he had to suppress his curiosity.

After dinner, Claire said to Zoey, "I'll clean up the table. You take Mr. Windsor to your room."

Zoey then led Henry to her bedroom.

When the door opened, Henry saw the bed piled with shopping bags.

"Mr. Windsor, I bought you a few pieces of clothing this afternoon. They're from the brands you usually wear, and the colors should be to your taste. See if you like them."