?Chapter 1098:

    A cheerful smile spread across Elsa’s face. “So that’s how it is. You’re not trying to hide anything from me, right? There have been rumors saying you owe tens of billions. At this point, I’m not even sure what to believe.”

    Gracie quietly watched Elsa’s content smile, a wave of relief washing over her. Today, Elsa appeared genuinely satisfied with her. As for Ethan, she would take her time to win him over.

    “Mrs. Mitchell, it’s almost six-thirty, and your mother will likely wake up soon. I’m going to step out to get some food for us, and we can have dinner together when I return,” Gracie said, grabbing her purse and preparing to leave. She paused for a moment and then added, “What would you like to eat, Mrs. Mitchell? We haven’t spent much time together, so I’m not sure about your preferences.”

    “Could you pick up two servings of vegetable ravioli? My mother adores ravioli, but since her operation, I’d prefer to keep her meals light, even though the doctor says she has no diet restrictions. And get whatever you’d like for yourself,” Elsa responded, reaching for her purse to give Gracie some money, not wanting her to cover the cost.

    Gracie gently stopped her. “Mrs. Mitchell, I’ve got this. I can afford to treat you to a meal.”

    “No, I insist. You already paid for lunch earlier. I can’t let you keep footing the bill,” Elsa said firmly, pulling a few hundred-dor bills from her purse and pressing them into Gracie’s hand.

    “Alright, I’ll ept it,” Gracie said with a smile, taking the cash before stepping out. Unfamiliar with the area around the hospital, she wandered for a bit before finding a restaurant that served ravioli.

    She purchased two portions of ravioli and a few light side dishes, then headed back to the hospital with the food.

    She stayed with Elsa until nearly eight o’clock in the evening before taking a cab home.

    On her way back, she spotted a pet shop still open and asked the driver to stop so she could go inside.

    Inside, the store buzzed with a diverse array of animals—cats, dogs of every breed, snakes, parrots, even foxes and other exotic pets, offering a wide range of choices.

    A staff member approached her. “Hello, miss, what kind of pet are you looking for? We’ve got a great selection, plus grooming, veterinary care, and all the pet supplies you would need.”

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    Gracie, who had a soft spot for cute pets, asked, “Do you have hamsters?”

    “Yes, right this way,” the staff member replied, guiding her to the hamster section. Gracie’s eyesnded on a few that reminded her of tiny mice.

    Pointing at them, she said, “I’ll take those.”

    “Alright,” the staff member replied, cing five gray hamsters into a carrier. “We also have cages for sale. Hamsters can be mischievous and chew up furniture if they’re not contained. Want to check out our cages or maybe some hamster food?”

    “No, I’m all set. My pet hamster passed away, so I’ve got a cage and food at home,” Gracie lied. She then paid and left the shop.

    Back at her ce, she opened the carrier, letting the hamsters scamper free.

    In moments, all five darted under the couch, vanishing from view.

    She grinned, delighted with how her little scheme was unfolding.

    That night, as she tried to sleep, the faint sounds of chewing on wood or fabric kept her on edge, too nervous to rest. But calling Ethan for help so soon after getting the hamsters felt premature.

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