Nina’s bun became slightly messy because of Nayaka’s antics. She pouted in annoyance.“That’s right, just stay here and guard the base. Don’t interfere in men’s business,” Kenzo chimed in casually. “You’d only be a burden if you came with us.”Nina grew even more annoyed, her lips pursed tightly. She felt belittled, and the joke was completely dry, not funny at all.She immediately pinched Nayaka’s arm. “Apply those rules to your own women, you womanizer!”“Aah!” Nayaka grimaced in pain as Nina twisted her fingers harder.“Hey, ugly, let go of me!” Nayaka shouted, wincing.But the more he yelled, the tighter Nina twisted his arm. “No way! This is what you get for running your mouth at a woman like me!”“But I was just joking,” Nayaka protested.“I don’t care!” Nina snapped, still irritated.“Enough!” Jay barked, intending to end the chaos.Everyone fell silent instantly, like crickets crushed under a shoe.“This is not the time for jokes. Everyone will receive tasks according to their

Feeling uneasy seeing Jay’s silence, Nayaka quickly glanced at Kevin, signaling him not to say anything more related to the Wijaya Family.Jay seemed unwilling to respond, and Kevin felt uncomfortable about his words.“I’m sorry, Boss,” Kevin said softly. “I didn’t mean to reopen your old wounds.”“It’s fine. They are indeed very rich, and I was abandoned by my own father. That’s why I deliberately disguised myself as a bandit to take back what’s rightfully mine. Let them work hard to grow the Wijaya Family’s business, while I simply enjoy the benefits without having to manage anything myself,” Jay said calmly.“Besides, even if I’m known as a bandit now, I’m still an elite bandit. I only rob the wealth of the Wijaya Family who cast me aside,” Jay continued as he stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.Everyone nodded in understanding, finally grasping their boss’s true intentions toward the Wijaya Family, the second-largest conglomerat

Jay, who had been watching the subtle changes in Nina’s expression the whole time, nodded in satisfaction upon hearing her answer.“That’s great, as long as you don’t feel burdened or pressured by the role you’ll have to play later. Once this entire plan is carried out perfectly, I promise I’ll honor every agreement we made before.”“And as for the financial compensation, I’ll transfer everything to your bank account tonight,” Jay continued as he turned the ignition key, restarting the engine of his old car, which immediately let out a rough, rumbling sound typical of an aging machine.“Thanks in advance for your willingness to help, Nina!”“Hmm,” Nina murmured while nodding, still trying to hide the storm of emotions inside her behind a forced mask of composure.“In that case, let’s continue our journey,” Jay said as he stepped on the gas pedal, sending the old black car, with its loud, coarse engine, back onto the city streets.In truth, it wasn’t financial limitations that kept Jay

Nina nodded slightly, choosing to follow Jay’s advice, even though her heart still throbbed from the harsh words of the boutique’s patrons.She recalled an old saying: empty barrels make the loudest noise. Perhaps those who mocked the loudest were the ones who actually lacked the real financial means to shop there.Yet the people around them still seemed unsatisfied, continuing to gossip about the man and woman they assumed were a couple on a casual outing.“Hey, where did these homeless people come from? How did they even end up here?” sneered a young woman holding a second-hand iPhone, most likely still paying it off in installments. Her expression was filled with open disdain.“Maybe they wandered in from a flea market or some traditional street bazaar,” her friend replied, suddenly covering her nose with a floral handkerchief.“Ugh, why does it smell like cheap roadside perfume in here?”The cutting remarks kept coming, making Nin

The saleswoman hesitated to step closer, clearly judging Jay and Nina by their shabby appearance, so different from the well-dressed crowd around them.Jay couldn’t understand it at all. It was just a matter of buying a party dress, why was it being made so difficult on purpose?Not to mention one or two dresses, he could easily buy everything in this boutique if he wanted to.“Brother Jay, let’s just go,” Nina said again, tugging at Jay’s solid arm wrapped in a faded light-blue denim jacket.Jay stopped her by holding her arm firmly. “There’s no need to go anywhere. This place is the most suitable for you.”“My wife must look the best, most stunning, at that birthday party,” Jay continued calmly but firmly, causing the entire boutique to fall silent for a few seconds.Jay stepped toward the saleswoman, who looked confused and nervous.“Once again, I ask you, do you have the finest and most special party dress at Kiara Boutique?”“I’m sorry, Sir,” the saleswoman replied.“You may choo