After he made sure the mark on her face left by Xanthe was fully covered by his own. Walter finally let go, satisfied Seeing her dejected look, he smirked and said, "Looks like you''ve been saving quite a bit behind my back." Shakira quickly exined, "I''ve spent it all now; there''s not much left!"


    Walter seemed unconcerned and asked, "So why didn''t you use the card I gave you?"


    Shakira scratched her head and replied. "If I used your money. I still need to pay it back, so I might as well use my own."


    Walter cleared his throat, sensing a subtle, unspoken jab in her words. In the past, he''d pressured her to pay him back. because he feared she''d disappear without a trace someday.


    She had entered his life so unexpectedly that he''d wanted something to keep her around. But now, those external things didn''t seem necessary.


    "That was then. Things are different now," Walter said, his tone steady. "Don''t worry about it. Spend it however you want."


    Shakira shrugged. "It''s okay, really. I don''t mind buying it with my own money." With that, she opened the box, revealing a dazzling pearl and ruby ne that sparkled beautifully, even in the dim light of the car.


    She held the box out to Walter. "Last time we went to your aunt''s house, she and her husband were really kind to me, so I got this as a New Year''s gift for her. What do you think?"


    Walter looked surprised, and then his expression became thoughtful. "I thought you bought it just topete with Yvette."


    Shakira thought for a moment and then had a sudden realization. "Wait, you were VIP Bidder I?"


    "Yes, that was me," replied Walter.


    "Oh my gosh! I thought it was some random, foolish person bidding against me. You thought I wanted it, so you tried to get it for me!"


    "At first, yes, but I eventually realized what you were thinking."


    Shakira patted her chest, relieved. "Good thing you caught on, or you might''ve ended up buying that overpriced ne."


    Her concern brought Walter a sense of contentment. He took another serious look at the ne before saying, "It''s beautiful. It''ll suit my aunt perfectly."


    "Isn''t it? The moment I saw it, I thought of her. The rubies have such elegance, and the pearls add a touch of luxury. Together, they''re neither overwhelming nor in," replied Shakira.


    She closed the box and ced it firmly in Walter''s hand. "Then I count on you to pass it to her and wish her a happy New Year!"


    Walter said, "Your gift shoulde from you personally-it means more that way. And besides..."


    "Besides what?"


    "Besides, I haven''t told my aunt that we''re together."


    Shakira, feeling her social anxiety creeping in, instantly became nervous. "You are going to do it now? Isn''t that a bit sudden..."Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Walter didn''t give her a chance to refuse. Before she could protest, he''d already ced a video call. Shakira was terrified.


    12


    12.11 Tue, Nov 12 wb.


    The call quickly connected. Sk was clearly delighted as she said. "Walter? And is that..."


    1))


    "Aunt Sk," Walter said gently, motioning to Shakira. Feeling a sudden wave of nervousness, Shakira leaned into the camera, her ears turning red, and said, "Happy New Year, Mrs. Inwood!" 84%


    Recognizing her familiar face, Sk was relieved and broke into a wide smile. "It''s Shakira. Wonderful. I''m so d to see you two together! Are you both out and about?"


    Sk''s cheerful tone made Shakira''s ears turn even redder.


    Walter noticed this, and his smile grew a bit wider. "We''re at Silverwave Bay for thepany''s annual event. She''s here as my girlfriend."


    Shakira was shocked, thinking, ''He just dropped that news out of nowhere?!''


    "Your girlfriend?!" Sk seemed to be stunned for a moment, and then, realizing what Walter meant, she covered her mouth in joyful disbelief. "You two are together? Is that true? Shakira?". Shakira took a deep breath and nodded earnestly at Sk. "Yes, Mrs. Inwood, Walter and I are together now."


    "Oh, that''s wonderful!" Tears shimmered in Sk''s eyes as she murmured, "I knew Walter felt something special for you, and I''m so happy that you feel the same and that you two are together." Sk was overwhelmed with joy,ughing and crying at the same time.


    Shakira, not good with such situations, held up the gift box and disyed the ne. "Mrs. Inwood, this is my New Year''s gift for you. I hope you like it. I''ll have it sent to you tomorrow."


    "Oh, sweetheart, you got me a gift? It should be me getting something for you!" Sk, appreciating Shakira''s thoughtfulness, epted the ne. "Next time youe to visit, I''ll take you shopping and get you something you love." Shakira replied, "Alright, thank you, Mrs. Inwood." Walter wrapped his arm around Shakira''s shoulder and said, "Aunt Sk, we''re heading back to the hotel now. Let''s chat next time." "Alright, have fun and stay safe," said Sk.


    "We will," replied Walter. After hanging up, Shakira finally let out a long breath and said, "Oh my gosh!"


    Walter found her reaction amusing. "Normally, nothing fazes you. This wasn''t even your first time meeting my aunt. So why so nervous?"


    "Of course I was nervous! This time is different-I''m meeting her as your girlfriend..." said Shakira.


    Walter tapped her nose and said, "I understand. You are just shy. Both of themughed.


    The driver and Brian, sitting in the front, exchanged a quick nce, trying not tough.


    For the rest of the trip, Shakira joined Xanthe in some carefree exploring. By the final day, she was so exhausted that she fell sound asleep on the ne.


    When their private jetnded, Kyle and the others waited for their assistants to pick them up. Shakira walked out with Xanthe, helping her manage the threerge suitcases. Xanthe kept saying, "Shakira, you don''t have to take me. My cousin''sing to pick me up."


    "Your cousin?" asked Shakira.


    12 11


    Tue, Nov 12 web.


    "Yeah, my second uncle''s daughter, Lucy."


    Just then. Xanthe waved toward a young woman in a hoodie and jeans. "Lucy! This is my best friend, Shakira! Shakira, this is my cousin, Lucy"


    "Nice to meet you." Shakira nodded at Lucy, who walked up to them.


    Lucy looked her over briefly and replied indifferently, "Hi, Shakira. Xanthe, let''s hurry up. It''s New Year''s and the parking lo is packed. If we don''t move soon, we''ll get stuck."


    "Okay, let''s go, Xanthe said, quickly saying goodbye to Shakira. After watching them leave, Shakira turned to head back.


    For some reason, Shakira felt that Lucy''s nce hadn''t been particrly friendly. But she brushed it off and soon found Walter in the parking lot, and together they left smoothly through the SVIP exit.


    Back at Easke Valley Estate, the entire manor was adorned in vibrant New Year''s decorations, with festive touches in every corner. After handing out the gifts she''d brought back for everyone, Shakira went upstairs to check on the cats.


    To her surprise, in the few days she''d been gone, they''d be quite chubby. They hadn''t looked much different over video calls, but as soon as she picked them up, she realized they weighed twice as much as before.


    She thought, ''Sure enough, senior people love to spoil their pets treating them like royalty-Levi is no exception!"


    The next couple of days flew by as Shakira set up a cozy room for the cats and cooked meals for Matthew and the others, arranging for their delivery.


    Before she knew it, New Year''s Eve arrived. Early in the morning, yawning and rubbing her eyes, Shakira unlocked her phone and nced down, only to jump up in shock.


    "What?! Walter, are you out of your mind?!" she eximed.


    Walter had casually transferred Shakira eight payments of 14,300 to express his love for her.