Zane replied without hesitation, "It''s around 450 thousand dors, I think?"


    I frowned. "Isn''t it wasteful to buy such an expensive dress for just one event?"


    Zane met my eyes. "This is my girlfriend''s first dress for attending an event with me. Don''t you think that''s worth remembering?"


    After a long look, I said, "You''re quite theedian."


    Zane stepped closer. "I know that you were careful with money when you were with Steven because of his startup''s financial pressure. You worried spending too much would affect hispany''s operations, so you stayed frugal.


    "But Annalise, mypany is substantial. Even if you spend more, I can easily provide for you. You don''t need to save money for my sake." He took my hand as he spoke.


    "But we''re not really dating," I pointed out.


    He then answered smoothly, "To make others believe we''re together, we need to act like a normal couple. If not, they''ll see through us eventually."


    Confused, I asked, "What should we do then?"


    Zane''s tone was persuasive. "Simple. Just treat me like your boyfriend."


    Even if I yed along with this rtionship, I could not spend his money recklessly. After all, even my substantial sry fromst month wouldn''t cover one dress.


    After careful thought, I replied, "Don''t buy me such expensive things anymore, Steven will know we''re fake if you do."


    Zane was puzzled. "Why?"


    I exined, "Given my personality, I''d want to return your gifts. If they''re too expensive, I can''t afford to get you gifts for about the same price, so I wouldn''t ept them." Zane smiled after hearing my words. "Fair enough."


    "Yeah."


    ...


    After me and Zane came to an agreement, it was time to pick up Willow. The driver took us to the kindergarten. The sses were just over, and Willow was saying goodbye to Penelope. Once I got out of the car, Willow bounced over. "Mommy, since I can speak in front of my ssmates now, they chose me for the school speech!"Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Then, she grinned mysteriously. "Guess why the teacher picked me instead of others?"


    I listed a few qualities. "Because Willow practices speaking every day, speaks clearly, is adorable, and confident?"


    Her smile widened. "That too. But really, it''s because I can read now. Only Zachary and I can read in ss, so they picked just the two of us."


    She paused, looking at me before asking anxiously, "Would you mind if I performed with Zachary? I won''t do it if you''re ufortable."


    She burrowed into my arms and wrapped her small arms around my waist, while her face was pressed against my chest.


    I patted her back gently. "Of course not. I''m happy that you got the chance to shine on stage."


    Willow cupped my face with her chubby hands and nted a kiss. "I knew Mommy''s the best!"


    I scooped her up. "Ready to go home?"


    Willow nodded eagerly. "Yeah!"