Chapter 394: Chapter 394: The Movie King Buys Groceries
Things didn’t go as expected, and it was Ashley Shaw who ended up feeling flustered.
Noelle York bit her lip, momentarily showing a flash of embarrassment in her eyes.
She even felt a fleeting impulse to just ignore everything and order her people to slap Ashley Shaw hard.
But the years of her parents’ teachings ultimately had an effect.
She suppressed her anger, and with a dark face, said to the shop assistant, "I don’t want this dress, get me another one with a similar style."
Ashley Shaw curved her lips into a smile, "I didn’t misjudge you, Miss York is indeed a reasonable person."
Though it was a compliment, it only made Noelle feel more uncomfortable inside.
She forced herself not to look at Ashley Shaw, for fear that seeing her face would make her even angrier.
The two assistants beside Noelle didn’t understand.
"Noelle, why are you afraid of her?"
"Yeah, Noelle, why let her have the dress? Do they even deserve to wear Chanel? Together, everything they’re wearing isn’t as expensive as just one pair of your shoes."
"Shut up! What do you know?" Noelle couldn’t be bothered to explain and directly told the shop assistant to get the clothes.
The other dress was also a classic style, just the color and buttons were slightly different, priced at over sixty thousand.
It wasn’t that Noelle couldn’t afford something more expensive, but for today’s occasion, wearing something at this price was enough; anything more expensive would have a bad impression.
The two got a glare from Noelle and didn’t dare say more.
Over there, Ashley Shaw had already instructed the shop assistant to wrap up their clothes.
The short-haired shop assistant didn’t know why Noelle suddenly gave in, but now could only continue packing with a strong front.
Once they got the clothes and paid, they left without turning back.
As soon as they were far enough away, Ariana Grant immediately asked curiously, "Ashley, how did you figure out she wouldn’t dare have her people go rough on us? I was scared to death just now!"
Ashley Shaw’s reasoning matched Noelle’s thoughts.
She guessed her father wasn’t a businessman, otherwise those bodyguards wouldn’t seem so... military-like.
Since he was an official, he’d definitely care about reputation and public image.
She knew that her family’s high position would make her hesitant to cause a scene.
If the family was simply wealthy, it’s hard to say if they might have taken action.
But in any case, the result was good. They got the clothes, and both the shop assistant and Noelle were left upset.
Yet... there was no great joy in her heart, instead, it felt as if she had swallowed a fly.
"In the future, even if I have money, I won’t buy this brand again!" Ariana said.
Ashley Shaw lifted the bag with the clothes, "Then what am I supposed to do with this?"
Ariana paused, then laughed, "Alright! I just can’t stand those shop assistants. They’re just clerks, but act like they own the store, looking down on people!"
"Not all shop assistants are like that. It’s like with the police, some are like Daniel Lynch who helped today, while others truly want to serve the people. No matter the profession, there are good and bad. You can’t dismiss the entire field because of one or two bad ones."
"Just like money. Some people become bad with it, others grow more philanthropic. It’s not the money that’s bad or good, it’s the person themselves."
Ashley calmly explained, trying to make Ariana not dwell on what happened earlier.
But Ariana widened her eyes.
"Ashley, since the college exams, you’ve been carrying this air like someone in their thirties or forties!"
Ashley was taken aback, "Where is that..."
"There is! People that age love to preach."
Ashley feigned anger but felt a bit anxious inside.
Was her change that evident?
Even carefree Ariana noticed something different.
The older you get, the harder it is to pretend to be young...
Ashley thought secretly, determined to pay more attention to her appearance to fit in with girls her age.
Looking lifeless all the time certainly makes it easy to get noticed.
Xavier Quincy, during their meal the other day, mentioned that after he leaves, "above" might send someone else to keep an eye on her, so she had to stay cautious.
The two goofed around a bit and decided to go to the supermarket downstairs to buy some drinks.
The hotel’s water, even when boiled, had a faint bleach smell, so they might as well carry back a case of mineral water.
They were going to stay for six more days anyway.
Unexpectedly, at the supermarket, they saw a familiar figure.
"Check out these snacks, do girls their age like to eat them?"
Owen Sinclair’s words had just fallen when Ashley’s uncertain voice came from behind—
"Uncle Owen?"
Owen’s mind went blank, but his body had already turned quickly, and sure enough, he saw Ashley Shaw and Ariana Grant.
Wearing a baseball cap and mask, he couldn’t hide the joy in his eyes.
"Ashley, what are you doing here?"
Just now, Ashley and Ariana were unsure if it was Owen, prepared to apologize for mistaken identity if needed.
To their surprise, it really was Owen.
They simultaneously stepped forward to ask Owen, "What are you doing at the supermarket?"
Their presence wasn’t surprising, but for an international film star to shop in a supermarket?
Wasn’t he afraid of being recognized and causing a commotion?
Owen originally intended to surprise them, but since they met, he directly explained.
"I thought I’d personally cook for you, so I’m here to buy ingredients."
Ashley and Ariana were even more surprised.
Though they were "friends against the years," they weren’t really that close.
Was Owen being too courteous?
Unless Ashley was sure Owen had no intentions like that; otherwise, she’d suspect having some ulterior motives.
Owen remained composed, saying, "You’re just in time; I was worrying about what to buy. Tell me what you want to eat and I’ll get it."
Ashley suppressed her surprise and asked, "Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?"
Owen shrugged, "Do I seem like someone afraid of trouble? Also, Shane Coleman called me this morning, asking me to take care of you two. Could I possibly just brush it off?"
Mentioning Shane, Ashley understood.
Since Shane asked Owen to take care of them, she had no more questions.
She asked, "What dishes are you good at cooking?"
Owen confidently replied, "You don’t need to ask what I’m good at, just tell me what you like to eat."
Ashley and Ariana were shocked.
"Your cooking skills are that good?"
This time, before Owen could speak, his assistant chimed in—
"Before, Owen filmed a movie about a culinary master. Other actors used professional chefs for dish close-ups, but Owen spent three months before shooting learning all eight major cuisines. All the close-ups are his own work."
Ariana knew the movie; it was called "Culinary Master."
It even won international awards.
She just didn’t know that those close-ups were done by Owen himself.