I smiled and nodded at Annika, saying gently, "Thank you for the excellent work.”

She looked up at me gratefully and nodded politely. "Take care, Miss."

I smiled warmly and walked away. I didn't bother looking back at the pair of them.

Someone suddenly called out to me as I headed downstairs to leave Arkadia Plaza. "Miss, please wait."

I turned around to see the man who had been with Vicky. He was walking toward me with a bag in his hand. I raised an eyebrow as I asked, "You called me?"

"Yes, Miss. I apologize for what happened today." He smiled, but there was a mysterious glint in his eyes. He handed me the bag, saying, "This dress was originally something you liked. A gentleman does not take away what someone loves. Take this as my apology to you.”

I was a bit surprised. A gentleman?

That was unlikely.

"Thank you, but I'm sorry. I've lost interest in this dress. Besides, I don't have a habit of accepting things from strangers," I said straightforwardly. "I don't know you."

H