Chapter 489

Sophia had once bought the circular pendant as a toy in that shop.

The owner, a middle-aged woman was wiping away her tears as she turned the sign on the door from ‘Open’ to ‘Closed’.

This sorrowful scene struck a chord in Thalassa’s heart. She approached the woman and asked, “Ma’am, it’s barely eleven in the morning, and that’s prime business hours. Why are you closing up so early?”

The shopkeeper, startled by the sudden interaction, awkwardly wiped her tears away and replied, “There’s been a family emergency, and we can’t manage the store anymore.”

Upon saying this, the shopkeeper couldn’t hold back her tears anymore.

Thalassa and her friend Hertha exchanged a glance before asking, “What kind of emergency could lead to a close-up?”

Running a business was not an easy feat, and no one would willingly give up unless it was absolutely necessary.

“My son has a brain tumor. The surgery and treatment cost more than one million three hundred thousand dollars. We’ve used all our savings and even put the shop up for sale, but we’re still short of twenty thousand. We honestly don’t know what to do…” The shopkeeper broke down and started sobbing uncontrollably.

Hearing this, Thalassa’s heart sank. As a mother herself, she could understand the woman’s grief and desperation.

Thalassa pulled out her phone and said, “Ma’am, please open up your PayPal. I’m going to send you twenty thousand dollars so your son can get his treatment.”

The shopkeeper was taken aback. She looked at Thalassa incredulously, as if she was dreaming.

Hertha wasn’t surprised, though. This was the Thalassa she knew.

“But… I can’t just accept your money just like that… The shopkeeper seemed unsure.

Thalassa quickly reassured her, “Actually, half of this money is technically yours. Remember the circular pendant you sold me? We thought it was just a toy but it turned out to be an antique which I sold for twenty thousand dollars. So, this money should be yours.”

“But we don’t know how to tell real antiques. And if you hadn’t bought it away, we would have just treated it like a toy, broken it, or swept it into the trash can and thrown it away. You’re the one with the discerning eye. Besides, you paid for that toy, so you deserve whatever you sell it for.”

The shopkeeper, a kind and sensible woman, understood how the business worked. Although that lady bought the pendant from her, that lady just got a knack for pocketing the difference. The price difference was not something she deserved. The lady was only trying to ease her conscience.

“Please, take the money and get your son the treatment he needs. Once he’s recovered and you’re back in business, you can pay me back.” Thalassa suggested.

The shopkeeper nodded gratefully, her eyes brimming with tears as she opened up her PayPal.

Thalassa transferred the money. Upon hearing the notification, the shopkeeper grasped Thalassa’s hand, sobbing, “Thank you. I promise I will do everything I can to save my child and repay your kindness. You’re a kind person, and good things will come to you.”

Just as Thalassa was comforting the shopkeeper, a chill swept through the air, making her hair stand on end.

She turned around to see a tall, intimidating man striding towards them.