She wanted to chase after them, but the cart couldn''t be pushed on the esctor. She could only wait slowly.

    Alicia suddenly turned sideways. When Grace opened her mouth to call out to her, Alicia turned her head around with a sweet smile and said something to Marshall.

    Marshall also looked very happy and nodded repeatedly.

    There were many people on the third floor. The two of them disappeared into the crowd in a short while.

    Grace was about to catch up with them when they were nowhere to be seen the next moment.

    She pushed the cart and wandered around. After turning a corner, she suddenly saw Alicia.

    Alicia also saw her. At first, her eyes lit up in surprise. Then, she ran toward her. "Grace. Why are you here too? What a coincidence."

    Grace looked at her face and smiled. She looked around and didn''t see Marshall.

    She smiled and said, "I''m here to buy clothes for Austin. I saw you on the second floor just now. The mall was too noisy, so I didn''t call you."

    She looked at Alicia''s face carefully but didn''t see any nervousness.

    Aliciaughed loudly and said generously, "I came with Mr. Adkins. Last time at your engagement party, he fainted. I sent him to the hospital..."

    "He fainted?" Grace frowned.

    Alicia nodded. "That''s right. He has high blood pressure. Later on, I found out that Mr. Adkins is quite pitiful. He''s already so old. But he doesn''t even have a son or daughter apanying him. He has no one to take care of him when he''s sick, so I often visit him when free."

    "Then, where is Mr. Adkins?"

    Alicia smiled and said, "He and Mrs. Adkins are shopping over there."

    Grace nodded. ''It seemed that I was overthinking. They don''t have that kind of rtionship.''

    "Then I''ll get going first. Merry Christmas," said Grace.

    "Wait." Alicia suddenly stopped her. "By the way, I remember you said that Austin''s birthday is on Christmas Eve, right?"

    Grace nodded. "That''s right."

    "Then, her birthday is only a few days away, but I can''t visit her since it''s Christmas. I''ll send the gift over then."

    Grace

    not easy to hold a birthday party f

    noted. "Thank you. It''s indeed

    her. You''re very considerate.

    will be happy."

    "Don''t mention that." Alicia smiled and waved at her. "Bye-bye then."

    "Good-bye."

    Grace didn''t think much about it. She pushed the cart and walked into a children''s clothing store.

    Alicia''s expression turned cold. She turned around and left. After a few steps, she saw Marshall trying on clothes in a shop.

    A smile instantly appeared on her

    face. She twisted her waist and

    walked toward him. "Marshal

    look so good in this set of clothes. You look 20 years younger

    Marshall was overjoyed by her praise. He straightened his back and looked at himself in the mirror. "Really?"

    Alicia smiled and held his hand. "No matter what you wear, you look the best in my eyes."

    *****

    After shopping at the mall, Grace went to the market where Christmas tree ornaments were sold.

    The market was decorated withnterns and colored banners. It was very Christmasy.

    She walked into a grocery store to choose Christmas tree ornaments. Just as she found an ornament she liked someone pointed at it and said, "Please help me pack it."

    It was an old voice and sounded very familiar.

    Grace tilted her head.

    "Mr. Casper," she called out.

    Casper didn''t expect to meet Grace here either. His expression immediately darkened.

    "Guys, this is thest one we have here," said the shopkeeper.

    "Give it to this gentleman then. I''ll choose something else," said Grace.