Chapter 35

Natalie answered calmly, "Do you want the truth or the sugar-coated version?" Jasper raised an eyebrow. "The truth, of course." She winked at him, her face filled with sincerity. "No woman doesn't love shopping for clothes unless she is poor." His stern expression faltered as he recalled her earlier introduction, where she mentioned coming to Kingston from the countryside to stay with relatives and that she didn't have a job. He couldn't quite articulate what he felt then, but a pang of discomfort stirred in his heart. "Let's go. Ms. McClure must be done trying on clothes by now." Natalie didn't wait for his response and returned to the clothing section. He followed and walked beside her. Meanwhile, Sophie emerged from the fitting room, elegantly holding up the skirt. "Mr. Locke, do you think it looks good—" But she abruptly swallowed her question when she noticed that Jasper wasn't at the counter, and neither was Natalie. Only Zachary was sitting on a nearby bench, propping his