CHAPTER 423: CHAPTER 423: WHY SO ARROGANT?

Ashley Shaw took a deep breath, but felt even more stifled in her chest.

Perhaps it was this girl’s attitude towards her mother that reminded her of Ms. Shaw.

Fortunately, she could now control her emotions well, and after taking a few deep breaths, this pain of missing her family was forcibly suppressed.

She took out her phone and called Jocelyn Hayes.

"Robin, I’ve arrived at the dorm, room 403. I’m planning to go to the supermarket to buy some daily necessities. Do you need me to bring anything for you? Or shall we go together once you’re here?"

Jocelyn Hayes on the other end of the phone said, "The road is still jammed on my side. You go with your friend first. I’ve brought all the necessities. My mom and my brother almost moved the house here."

Ashley Shaw laughed, "Okay."

"By the way... just buy toothbrushes and toothpaste. I brought bath products, so you don’t need to buy those. I’ve brought a set for both of you."

"Okay. Let’s leave it at that for now."

The call ended, and just then, Grandpa Prescott’s call came through.

Essentially, the Prescott Group headquarters was moving to Aethelgard, and he was a bit too busy today to accompany her to school.

Ashley Shaw knew why Elder Prescott was so busy, but she remained composed and said, "Work is important. You focus on what you’re doing. It’s not officially the start of school yet. We’ll come find you once we’re done."

"Okay. Let’s have dinner together then."

The call ended, and Grandpa Prescott gave an address. Ashley Shaw immediately recognized it as the Prescott Group’s headquarters in Aethelgard from her past life.

A business park in the Aethelgard CBD.

Ashley Shaw went downstairs.

When she reached the first floor, Ariana Grant and Owen Sinclair’s assistant happened to be coming down the corridor.

The three of them greeted each other and went together to find Owen Sinclair.

Owen Sinclair was waiting at the door. To avoid attracting attention from dressing too conspicuously, he simply took off his baseball cap and left on just a mask.

As expected, once the cap was removed, passersby no longer scrutinized him intently.

When the four met, Ashley Shaw naturally wouldn’t let Owen Sinclair accompany her to the supermarket. What would it look like to have a leading actor buy daily necessities with her?

After some back-and-forth, ultimately Owen Sinclair conceded.

"Alright, you all go ahead. We’ll have dinner together later."

Ashley Shaw embarrassedly said, "Sorry, Uncle Owen, I have dinner plans with Grandpa Prescott tonight."

Owen Sinclair knew Grandpa Prescott was Elder Prescott, and upon hearing this, he felt inexplicably jealous.

Now that gentleman was truly a family member in Ashley Shaw’s heart, while he was just a "friend."

His chest felt a bit tight, but he didn’t show it at all, just smiled and nodded, "Okay, let’s talk when you’re free."

The two watched as Owen Sinclair and his little assistant left, both letting out a sigh of relief.

Ashley Shaw didn’t quite understand why, despite Owen Sinclair being such a nice person, it was precisely because he was too good that she felt pressured.

If Owen Sinclair were trying to get something from her, it would be fine, but he didn’t want anything, and that made her feel bad.

She was someone who wanted to repay kindness with gratitude, but if the other side was simply kind to her for no reason, she truly didn’t know how to reciprocate.

Ariana Grant sighed, "No wonder Owen Sinclair is a staple of the entertainment industry. People like him deserve to be popular forever."

Ashley Shaw deeply agreed.

"His character is impeccable."

"Lawyer Sterling too. Where did you find such a good lawyer? Always having Uncle Owen help us out."

Ashley Shaw remained unperturbed, "Just lucky to find such a good lawyer."

"When his law firm opens, we should prepare a grand gift for him!"

"We should."

"It’s just, I wonder what Lawyer Sterling likes."

Ashley Shaw happened to know this.

Shane Coleman likes collectibles. Especially various beads whose names she can’t even call.

"Then let’s look for a collectible store in Aethelgard another day."

"Okay."

The two chatted as they walked towards the supermarket.

There’s a supermarket on campus. It’s small but well-stocked; you can buy anything there, and the prices are very friendly.

The two of them were carrying large bags when they got stopped by a group of trendy boys and girls in ripped jeans on their way back.

"Hey, are you a freshman?" a long-haired boy in front asked Ashley Shaw.

Ashley Shaw nodded, glanced at them, and asked, "Yes, what’s the matter?"

"We’re from the Hip-Hop Club and want to invite you to join."

The boy said, ignoring Ariana Grant, and handed Ashley Shaw a flyer.

Ashley Shaw didn’t have a hand free, so the person directly stuffed the flyer into her shopping bag.

Ashley Shaw had no interest in hip-hop and just wanted to brush them off and leave, not expecting that Ariana Grant would suddenly ask, "Can I join too?"

This surprised not only everyone else but also Ashley Shaw.

Ariana Grant was very direct, "I have no dance background; I just want to lose weight."

The boy’s smile stiffened, "We accept all hip-hop enthusiasts. But we do have a bit of an interview process..."

A guy behind him quickly said, "As long as this beauty wants to join, we accept a buy-one-get-one-free deal."

Who is buying, and who is getting?

The remark was not particularly harmful but extremely insulting.

The smiles immediately disappeared from Ashley Shaw and Ariana Grant’s faces.

"Sorry, we’re not interested in hip-hop—goodbye!"

Ashley Shaw threw this out and signaled with her eyes for Ariana Grant to leave with her.

Ariana Grant’s face had already flushed red, and she quickly followed.

However, since both were carrying large and small bags of items, the voices of those from the Hip-Hop Club inevitably reached their ears.

"Tch, what arrogance! Relying on being pretty to be rude to seniors?"

"Exactly, buy one get one free, they’re making out great and putting on a grumpy face for whom? That fatty just isn’t qualified to join our Hip-Hop Club."

When Ashley Shaw heard this, she couldn’t hold back and turned around to argue.

Do they talk like this? Do they even know how to speak? Did their mom never teach them what manners are?

However, Ariana Grant held her back, refusing to let her argue with them.

"Forget it, less trouble is better than more trouble. And they’re not wrong. Someone like me indeed doesn’t suit Hip-Hop Club. I was speaking too hastily."

"But..."

"Alright, I’m really not upset, it’s fine. Besides, what they said only fires up my determination to lose weight!!"

Seeing Ariana Grant genuinely showing no signs of discomfort and indeed looking determined, Ashley Shaw gave up the idea of arguing with them.

"No matter what others say, you’re the best in my heart. Whether you lose weight or not, you’re just as good, and losing weight is only for your health."

Ariana Grant winked at her.

"I get it, if I were a guy, you would definitely marry me."

"Not necessarily, I’d prefer to marry someone good at cooking."

"You can cook yourself, why marry someone good at it?"

"Being able to cook doesn’t mean I like to."

"Eh? So, you don’t like cooking?"

"Who likes to work?"

If it weren’t for that elusive saying, "To hold a man’s heart, first hold his stomach," how could this cooking-challenged girl have the culinary skills she does now?

"Seems true too..."