Chapter 25 Mr. Anderson Is My Friend
The two quickly arrived at the mall. When James saw the sign on the top floor, he squinted his eyes.
He hadn't expected this to be a mall owned by the Anderson family.
Then they started wandering around. When they passed a luxury men's clothing store, Caroline's eyes lit up immediately.
"James, let's go in and take a look."
James gave a light response. He didn't have much of an opinion about clothes—as long as they were wearable, that was fine—so he let her pull him inside.
The floor tiles were so shiny they reflected light, and soft music played in the store.
A sales clerk stood at the entrance greeting customers. Her gaze first landed on Caroline, pausing for a moment.
When she saw James in his ill-fitting waiter's uniform, her expression instantly cooled.
She forced a perfunctory smile at the corner of her mouth without moving an inch.
Caroline didn't notice these subtle gestures and was focused on picking out styles for James.
"How about this one? And this gray one?"
She picked up two casual outfits and held them up in front of James.
James looked down at her serious expression, and his heart softened.
"Whatever you think looks good is fine."
He reached out to take them, but the sales clerk stepped forward first, her tone unfriendly and clearly contemptuous.
"Sir, this is our haute couture collection. If you're not buying, don't touch."
Caroline froze for a moment and frowned.
"We are buying."
The sales clerk scoffed, her gaze sweeping over James repeatedly.
"Buying? One of these costs several months' salary for ordinary people."
She deliberately drew out her words, speaking in a sarcastic tone.
"You're quite pretty—don't let this kind of man fool you. Some men just look good but are actually worthless, spending women's money while acting all arrogant."
The words were framed as a warning but were actually calling James useless.
Caroline's face flushed red with anger and urgency. Just as she was about to speak, James pressed her wrist first.
His voice wasn't loud but was cold as ice.
"Does this store have no management? Letting trash like you insult customers?"
The sales clerk's expression stiffened—she hadn't expected James to talk back like this.
"How dare you curse at people! If you can't afford it, get out! Don't make a scene here!"
She raised her voice, trying to attract onlookers, when a sweet, affected voice called out from behind.
"Caroline? Is that really you?"
Caroline turned around, her expression changing slightly.
It was Veronica Kelly, a rich girl from their old school who had always looked down on her.
Veronica walked over carrying a limited-edition handbag and wearing high heels.
Her gaze first fell on Caroline with scrutiny.
Then she saw James in his cheap clothes, and her eyes instantly lit up with mockery.
"Haven't seen you in years—has your taste gotten this bad?"
She looked James up and down, a cruel smile playing at her lips.
"Where did you find this poor guy? Dressed like that and you dare bring him out shopping?"
Caroline's chest heaved with anger.
"Veronica, watch your mouth."
Veronica sneered.
"I think you've been completely fooled. Keeping such a poor man—does it give you a sense of accomplishment?"
"He's not what you think!"
Caroline clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. She didn't want to argue in this setting, but the other woman was going too far.
Seeing her agitated, Veronica became even more pleased and reached out to push Caroline, still running her mouth.
"Today I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your parents—don't bring just anyone around with you."
Her hand was only halfway extended when James grabbed her wrist. He stepped forward, blocking Caroline, and spoke coldly.
"I don't use violence against women."
James turned his head toward Caroline, his voice softening.
"She insulted you, so you hit back yourself."
Caroline was stunned and hesitant. She'd been raised to be well-behaved and had never confronted anyone directly.
She was even more afraid that taking action would bring bigger trouble for James.
"James, forget it. Let's just go to another store."
She tugged at James's sleeve, quietly persuading him. But James shook his head gently.
Caroline couldn't always be protected behind him. If he wasn't there in the future, who would protect her?
So when facing this kind of shameless person who wanted to get physical, she should fight back.
"Don't hold back. I'm here—whatever happens, I'll handle it."
That simple sentence seemed to inject confidence into Caroline.
She took a deep breath and looked at the still-arrogant Veronica.
Before the other woman could react, she raised her hand and slapped her across the face. The slap was exceptionally crisp.
Veronica's head turned to the side from the force, half her face instantly red. She was completely stunned, unable to believe Caroline had dared to hit her.
"You—you dare hit me?"
Veronica shrieked, her voice sharp and piercing.
"Caroline, are you crazy! Do you know who I am!"
Caroline's palm tingled a bit, but she felt a rush of satisfaction.
"You cursed at people first and tried to hit me first."
Veronica covered her face, angry and resentful, tears nearly bursting out.
"Fine, very good! You just wait!"
She pulled out her phone and immediately made a call, screaming into it.
"Get over here right now! I've been hit! At Midnight Plaza, third floor!"
After hanging up, she glared viciously at Caroline.
"When my boyfriend gets here, you're finished! You two poor people won't be walking out of this mall today!"
The sales clerk, seeing the situation, immediately sided with Veronica. She'd been looking down on James all along and now quickly fanned the flames.
"Ms. Kelly, don't be upset. We'll call security right away!"
Within minutes, several security guards came running over.
The lead guard was aggressive, pointing at James and barking.
"So you're the ones causing trouble here? Get out now!"
James didn't even lift an eyelid. Seeing this, the guard became even more aggressive and reached out to grab his arm.
James twisted his wrist and gave it a light turn. The guard screamed and dropped to his knees. The remaining guards saw this and rushed forward together.
James didn't even move his feet and knocked them all to the ground in a few moves.
Groans of pain rose and fell as quite a few people from the mall gathered to watch the commotion.
Veronica was pale with fright but still spoke defiantly.
"You're finished! Completely finished! My boyfriend is from the West family! He knows important people in this city!"
As soon as she finished speaking, an arrogant male voice came from outside the crowd.
"Baby, who the hell dares bully you?"
A man wearing a floral shirt with a thick gold chain around his neck pushed through.
He had a brutish face with arrogant, domineering eyes—a typical playboy appearance.
This was Billy West, a member of a branch of the West family.
As soon as Veronica saw him, she threw herself into his arms crying.
"Billy, they hit me! And cursed at me! This guy even beat up the security guards!"
Billy looked in the direction she pointed, his gaze landing on James.
Seeing James in his cheap clothes, he immediately sneered.
"Looking this shabby and you dare make trouble here?"
He adjusted his cuffs, his face full of contempt.
"Do you know whose territory this mall is? I'll scare you to death if I tell you—the owner of this mall is my good friend!"