Chapter 914: A Belated Gift
Although Jason spoke grandly, Audrey didn't believe him at all. Starhaven, despite its prosperity and numerous opportunities to make money, was full of traps. One wrong step, and you could be ensnared, unable to extricate yourself.
After the series of upheavals, Audrey grew increasingly disgusted with the deceit and treachery of big city life. People here wore thick masks, speaking insincere words. No one offered help in times of need; they only added insult to injury. This place was like a brutal arena where only the most savage and ruthless could emerge victorious.
She began to long for the simple life back home. Though it lacked skyscrapers, bustling traffic, ballet, and five-star hotels, it also lacked the constant scheming and competition. She just wanted to live a simple life as an ordinary person, but why was that so difficult?
Both of them were lost in their own thoughts, spending the entire afternoon in the bedroom without speaking. Jason was contemplating where to find a job next. Despite being penniless, he still didn't want to return home.
Audrey, on the other hand, was thinking about how to deal with Derek. When she initially approached Derek, she had little hope. After all, he wouldn't give her such a large sum of money for no reason. It was a desperate move. But to her surprise, Derek agreed, not only giving her $200,000 but also taking care of Terrence and Jack.
She still had $100,000 left. She planned to return it to Derek first and then find a way to gather the remaining amount. She had no intention of participating in that beauty pageant. After all, she was a teacher and couldn't bring herself to wear revealing clothes and pose provocatively for judgment. That would make her no different from a commodity.
The room was silent and tense. Suddenly, Audrey's phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.
Audrey's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at her husband and stepped out of the bedroom to answer the call, feeling a bit nervous. "Hello?"
"Hello, is this Ms. Audrey?" came a stranger's voice.
"Yes, it is. What can I do for you?" Audrey sighed in relief, glad it wasn't Derek calling.
"Oh, there's a package for you. Please come pick it up. I'm at the entrance of your apartment complex," the man said, giving Audrey's current address. Audrey was surprised. She hadn't ordered anything online since arriving in Starhaven. How could there be a package for her? She suspected a mistake, but the delivery man insisted the address and phone number were correct.
She went downstairs to the entrance and saw a delivery man in a uniform holding a package. She confirmed her name and phone number and took the package, feeling its weight and wondering what it could be.
Back in the bedroom, she opened the package with scissors and found four fresh coconuts inside.
What's going on? Audrey was stunned. She had never ordered coconuts online. Was someone playing a prank on her?
"What's that?" Jason asked, seeing the coconuts. "When did you buy coconuts?"
"I didn't buy these," Audrey quickly explained. "You know I don't eat coconuts."
Jason saw that she wasn't lying and found it strange. Suddenly, he slapped his forehead. "Hey, check who sent it."
Audrey realized he was right and looked at the label. The sender's name was Kevin, and the phone number was also his.
"Kevin?" Jason was equally surprised. "Isn't that your cousin? How did he send this from Miami Beach? When did he go there?"
"I don't know," Audrey said, shaking her head, feeling a mix of emotions. She hadn't expected Kevin to send her anything. He had asked for her address during a phone call, and she had mentioned it casually. She didn't expect him to remember and send her four coconuts. But if Kevin had really gone to Miami Beach, why didn't he come to see her in Starhaven?
"Honey, your cousin is so thoughtful, sending you all these coconuts," Jason sighed. "And your aunt lent you that large sum of money. We should thank her properly. When I get back, I'll definitely invite your aunt and cousin for a meal. How about we buy some local specialties from Starhaven to bring back to your aunt? It would be a nice gesture."
"Yes, I know," Audrey nodded, looking at the four round coconuts. Whether Kevin sent them himself or had someone do it, it was a kind gesture. The date on the package was recent. She could imagine Kevin wanting to surprise her, not telling her in advance. But she had deeply hurt him. Remembering the final, resolute text he sent, Audrey's nose tingled, and she almost cried.
Her phone rang again, startling her. She answered it, her face showing a strange expression. It was the delivery man again.
Five minutes later, Audrey brought another large package into the bedroom. She opened it to find various specialty snacks like dried mango, durian, and jackfruit. She couldn't help but laugh. Was Kevin trying to send her the whole specialty store?
"These must have cost over a thousand dollars. Your cousin has quite a bit of pocket money," Jason said, surprised.
Audrey had previously mentioned her aunt Bethany and her cousin, a student at Sunset Valley High School. Jason hadn't thought much of it, considering them insignificant poor relatives. He only felt reassured that Audrey had someone to look after her back home. But he hadn't expected Audrey's aunt to help them so much, and even her cousin had sent many things. He felt deeply moved.
As the saying goes, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." Jason used to think he was doing well in Starhaven, but overnight, he became penniless. Those so-called friends turned a blind eye to his plight. No one offered a helping hand, making him realize how naive and ridiculous he had been.
"My aunt only has one son, so she dotes on him," Audrey explained softly. She knew Bethany's family wasn't well-off. Bethany's clothing store didn't make much money, and Kevin's pocket money was limited. Even though Kevin had received a reward for his achievements, Bethany had only bought him a phone. Kevin must have spent all his pocket money to buy these things for her.
Imagining Kevin's proud expression when sending the packages, only to be hurt by her later, Audrey felt a wave of sadness. She turned away, tears streaming down her face. She shouldn't have been so heartless. Kevin must have been devastated.
Audrey received three more calls and brought up three more packages, containing latex pillows and a mattress. Jason was stunned. He knew these items weren't cheap, totaling over ten thousand dollars. Audrey's cousin seemed quite wealthy.
"Honey, what kind of business does your aunt run? She seems very well-off," Jason said in amazement, seeing Audrey's cousin's generosity.
"She runs a clothing business," Audrey said, equally surprised. Kevin's spending was indeed astonishing, making her story about borrowing ten thousand dollars from Bethany more plausible.
"Looks like the clothing business is really profitable," Jason muttered, considering whether he should start selling clothes. Many wealthy people made their first fortune this way.
Audrey's emotions were in turmoil. She wanted to call Kevin and tell him she regretted her harsh words, but she restrained herself. She had come this far; there was no point in reopening old wounds. It was better to let it all pass.
...
Back home, Kevin was looking at photos of beach beauties on Albert's phone. Albert boasted, "Kevin, look at this beauty. Her boobs are almost as big as our teacher's. You should regret not coming."
Kevin lazily glanced at the bikini-clad women on Albert's phone but felt no interest. He didn't know why, but he had lost all interest in such things. Even browsing forums no longer appealed to him. Since his unintended encounter with Kimberly, he had become indifferent, staying home for days, feeling restless. Today, Albert called, eager to show off after returning home.
"By the way, Kevin, I sent out the stuff you wanted me to send to your cousin," Albert said, grinning. "She must have received it by now and is probably moved to tears. I spent all my New Year's money on it. How about that, huh?"
"Thanks, Albert. I'll pay you back," Kevin said seriously. Albert had offered to send the packages, and Kevin had given him Audrey's address, hoping to surprise her. But now, it all seemed pointless. He wondered how Audrey would react, fearing she might find it childish.
"What are you saying? We're brothers. My money is your money," Albert said, patting his chest. "My mom even bought you a gift. She treats you better than me sometimes. It's like she's your mom."
"Albert, promise me that no matter what happens, we'll always be brothers," Kevin said, feeling guilty for secretly sleeping with Albert's mother and stealing Laura. He truly felt he had wronged his good friend.
"Of course, Kevin. We'll be brothers for life," Albert said, patting Kevin's shoulder. "We'll share hardships and blessings, but women are off-limits."
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