Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Princess Syndrome
A middle-aged man’s voice was heard from inside.
"Don’t worry, didn’t your aunt say your cousin would take time off from the company to come over?"
Ashley Shaw glanced at Ariana Grant, who mouthed, "She bragged to me before, saying her uncle is an executive at a big company."
Ashley Shaw nodded, instantly understanding.
To avoid awkwardness, the two stood at the door for half a minute, listening as the conversation inside shifted topics, before Ashley Shaw finally knocked on the door.
The voices inside came to an abrupt stop.
Soon, a refined-looking middle-aged man came over.
Seeing the two of them, he immediately smiled.
"Ariana is here? Why did you bring so many things? Is this your friend? Come on in."
The man reached out to help take the pile of gifts from Ariana Grant’s hands.
Relieved of her burden, Ariana Grant greeted, "Hello, Uncle Hayes," and introduced, "This is my best friend, we live together now."
Ashley Shaw took the opportunity to greet, "Hello, Uncle Hayes, I’m Ashley Shaw, just call me Ashley. I’m sorry for tagging along with Ariana for dinner today."
"Hello, hello, don’t be sorry, the more the merrier. Ariana and I will soon be family, so make yourself at home."
Kevin Hayes said while handing each of them a pair of slippers.
Just then, Hailey Hayes came over.
She wore a pretty white dress, with delicate features, yet there was a hint of artificiality.
Noticing Ashley Shaw, she looked surprised, but then a disdainful smirk appeared on her lips.
"Ariana, is this your friend? I saw her earlier delivering food this morning. Didn’t she say she got into the top twenty in the province? Why do smart people like her also deliver food? Isn’t she planning to study?"
Ariana Grant, expressionless, introduced to Ashley Shaw, "She’s doing work-study, unlike you, little princess, no need to worry about food and clothing."
This pleased Hailey Hayes.
"That’s true, not to mention working part-time; my dad wouldn’t even agree if I took a day of part-time work."
Kevin Hayes gave Hailey a mock stern look.
"I’ve spoiled you, you should actually experience life a little."
He turned to Ashley Shaw apologetically, "Sorry, this girl speaks bluntly but means no harm."
"It’s fine."
"Come, don’t just stand at the door, let’s talk inside."
"Okay."
Ariana Grant also walked inside, her gaze sweeping across the living room as she asked Kevin Hayes, "Uncle Hayes, where’s my mom?"
"She said she forgot to buy the cold dishes and went to the market. Judging by the time, she should be on her way back."
"Hmm..." Ariana’s expression stiffened a bit as she nodded.
On her birthday, her mother wasn’t this diligent, let alone making any cold dishes.
Mostly, she would just cook a bowl of longevity noodles to mark the occasion.
"I’ll continue with the kitchen then, Hailey, entertain your two sisters, okay?"
"Got it!"
Hailey took the plate of fruit Kevin Hayes brought over and placed it on the coffee table in front of the two.
"These are imported cherries, have as much as you like, we have plenty at home."
Ashley Shaw just took one look to know those cherries weren’t imported.
But she didn’t expose the lie, simply taking one as a gesture to taste.
Seeing Hailey sit down beside them, Ashley Shaw addressed her as their eyes met, "Oh, I forgot to say, happy birthday, Hailey."
"Thanks! By the way, don’t you have to deliver food this afternoon?"
"No, I took the day off."
Ariana Grant turned slightly displeased.
"Hailey, can’t you talk about something else?"
Hailey could tease Ariana all she wanted, but criticizing her best friend was off-limits!
Hailey half-smiled, "We met this morning, I felt a connection with Ashley, so I asked more. Why such a big reaction? Do you look down on food delivery workers?"
"I..."
Ashley Shaw gave Ariana Grant a look of reassurance, signaling her not to get hooked by it.
Ariana Grant then fell silent.
Seeing Ariana calm down, Ashley Shaw smiled and explained on her behalf, "She’s not overreacting, she just casually responded, don’t mind her."
Hailey raised an eyebrow, seeing Ashley’s unperturbed face made her think she was a pushover, so she continued with the food delivery topic, "Is your family really short on money? Is that why you took up delivering food to save for college?"
Ashley Shaw calmly replied, "Yes, my family doesn’t have much money."
"Oh dear, don’t give up hope though, life always has a way."
"Thank you."
"Oh, right." Hailey slapped her thigh and said, "If you’re really tight on cash, I can have my cousin help you out. He’s an executive at Prescott Group, his salary is enormous, sponsoring your studies shouldn’t be a problem. He’s coming to my birthday later, if you need, I can talk to him, he’s quite fond of me, he should agree."
Ashley Shaw looked up, a bit surprised.
"Prescott Group?"
"Yeah, you heard it right, the business leader in Westcroft, the Prescott Group," Hailey boasted proudly.
This left even Ariana Grant surprised.
"So when you said your cousin works at a big company, it’s Prescott Group?"
"Yeah, didn’t I tell you last time?"
Ariana Grant laughed.
"You didn’t, but let me tell you something, Ashley here, she used to..."
"Ariana, you’re sweating, want to wash up in the bathroom?"
Ashley Shaw quickly interrupted Ariana.
Ariana realized she shouldn’t bring up Ashley’s past relationship with the Prescott Family since it’s now irrelevant; mentioning it would only cause trouble, so she promptly got up, "I’ll go wash my face."
Soon, only Ashley Shaw and Hailey were left in the living room.
Hailey half-laughingly asked, "Ashley, may I ask a potentially offensive question?"
"Go ahead."
"Which hospital did you have your face done at? It looks pretty natural."
Ashley Shaw’s smile didn’t fade.
"Several hospitals for different procedures."
"No wonder you work so hard, turns out all your money’s spent there. Girls should actually cultivate their inner qualities, it’s the most important."
Ashley Shaw looked at Hailey’s almost protruding nose implant, smiled without saying a word, thinking to herself: Good thing Ariana went to wash up, or she would’ve exposed all the tech on this girl’s face.
Just then, Kevin Hayes came out of the kitchen.
His eyes swept the sofa, asking, "Where’s Ariana?"
Ashley Shaw answered, "Went to the bathroom to wash up."
"Did you guys ride the electric scooter here?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Could you lend it to me? Your aunt bought too many groceries to carry them, I need to pick her up from the market."
"I can go get her." Ashley picked up the scooter keys Ariana had placed on the coffee table.
"No, no, you’re a guest, can’t let you do that. Why not go, Hailey? I’ve got stuff cooking in the kitchen."
Hailey was a bit reluctant, but remembering her makeup shouldn’t go to waste, she nodded, "Alright, I’ll go."
After explaining to Ashley Shaw, "We have a car but no scooter, and I can’t get a driver’s license yet since I’m not of age."