Chapter 8 Flattering Him

Bruce pouted and went to the trial room with the clothes.

"Madam, you've taught your son well." The shop assistant flashed a flattering smile. "Although the boy seems arrogant, he is still obedient."

Minnie smiled in return.

She was overjoyed. However, the bodyguard had returned after parking the car. The shop assistant glanced at him and stepped back.

Bruce came out of the room.

He was wearing a FENDI T-shirt. Stripes were the design of the season. Bruce tried on a yellow T-shirt with cacti prints and interesting lamp designs. The bright outfit made Bruce look like a happy boy. Minnie loved it. "That's good. You look nice. Why don't you try the aqua-green suit? I think it will look good on you."

Bruce studied his reflection on the mirror. "I think the business suit will look better on me. It's more majestic. This one doesn't reflect my aura."

Minnie couldn't help but chuckle at his answer. "You know what aura is, huh? Don't worry. Even this outfit will reflect your aura."

She ruffled his hair and smiled.

Bruce craned his head to look at her. He wanted to retort, but the smile on Minnie's face stopped him from speaking against her. He shook his head and went to the trial room.

The aqua-green suit with stripes complimented his skin tone. The gray jacket and matching green shorts made Bruce look like an innocent child, rather than a rude boy.

Minnie beamed with joy. She clamped her mouth and looked at her son with awe. 'My son is a handsome boy!'

She loved both the outfits on Bruce and called the shop assistant to bill them. However, the smile on Minnie's face vanished as soon as she opened her wallet. She remembered that her black card was at Sam's place. There was only 3000 dollars cash in her wallet.

Minnie's face flushed with embarrassment. She pulled Bruce aside and kneeled down on one knee.

"Bruce, which one do you want? Why don't we pick the yellow one? It has interesting elements."

Bruce looked at her and frowned. "Why?"

Minnie forced a smile. "Your father has already bought you many clothes. You won't be able to wear them if you buy these two as well. Let's choose one!"

Bruce's jaw dropped in shock; the frown on his forehead deepened.

"I love both the outfits. Why don't you buy them for me?" Minnie was lost for words. Just when she opened her mouth to say something, the sudden cries of a child caught their attention. Both Bruce and Minnie turned to look at the little boy. The woman standing beside him kneeled down and took his hand.

"I won't listen to you," the boy cried.

A crowd had gathered around them. The woman pulled the boy and spanked him, which made him cry louder. Embarrassed, she lifted the boy in her arms and walked out of the store.

Minnie closed her eyes and blew out a loud breath. She felt that it was a good opportunity to educate her son.

"You see, children should learn to save money. Parents work hard to make their kids happy and get them what they want. Let's pick one, okay?" Minnie persuaded. "Life will give us several options, but not everything will be right for us. We should make the right decision."

"I don't agree with you." Bruce shook his head adamantly. "What's the point of living if you can't have what you like?" He pulled out a card from his bag and handed it to the assistant. "Pack these for me!"

"Yes, sir!" The shop assistant nodded and went to swipe the card.

"Wait a minute. This one, that one. Oh, the other one as well. Pack everything for me." He pointed at the different outfits on the rack and smirked arrogantly at Minnie.

"Don't say that you will buy me clothes next time, because I can always pay for the clothes." Minnie's heart sank as she watched her son empty several hundred thousand dollars in one swipe.

"Bruce, why are you wasting money like water? Do you have any idea how hard it is to earn? Many children can't even afford to buy three square meals to feed their hungry stomachs, you know?"

"Save money? Wouldn't Grandpa feel bad if I don't spend all the money?"

Minnie knitted her brows in confusion. "Daddy buys everything I ask, so I don't get a chance to spend the money Grandpa gives me every month.

A few days ago, Grandpa asked me if I didn't like him and why I didn't use his money. He will get upset if I don't spend the money."

Michael and his father had turned Bruce into a spoiled brat. They both adored her son so much that they bought everything the boy pointed his finger at. It was no wonder that her son didn't understand the value of money.

They finally finished shopping and walked out of the store. Bruce's eyes widened as soon as he saw the ice cream shop across the road. "Let's have an ice-cream." He grinned and dragged Minnie to the shop.

Bruce leaned against the glass counter; his excited eyes flitted across the different flavors of ice creams. "I like this one. That one looks yummy too! Oh, there is a large tub of ice cream as well. I want that one too!" he said, jumping excitedly.

After making the order, Bruce opted for a seat beside the window and plopped on the chair.

"What do you want to eat? It's my treat." He grinned arrogantly, waving his card.

Minnie thought that the boy had ordered the food for both of them. "Are you going to eat all these by yourself?"

She shook her head and frowned. "You are allowed to eat only one ice cream."

"I have lots of money, so I'll get whatever I want. Mind your business. God! You are annoying," he snapped.

Minnie couldn't watch the disgusted look on Bruce's face, but it was her duty to correct her son's mistakes. "Your stomach will hurt if you eat too much ice cream. Do you want to suffer again like last night?"

"God! Can't you stop it? If I had known that you'd keep complaining, I would have gone with Auntie Alice. She has never stopped me from eating ice cream. This ice cream is delicious. If you don't let me eat, I... I..." He pursed his lips and thought for a while. "I will stop loving you."

Minnie burst out laughing. The boy looked adorable even while threatening her.

"Auntie Alice?"

"Yes!" He ate a spoonful of ice cream and moaned in appreciation. "Auntie Alice is from a wealthy family too. She has a younger brother, and thanks to her guidance, he is studying at Harvard University now. Daddy and Grandpa feel that she is a smart woman, so they have asked her to tutor me."

'Damn it! Only Michael and I can teach Bruce. How could he ask a random woman to tutor him?' Minnie grew frustrated. From what Bruce said, it looked like the woman was not only looking after her son but Michael as well.

"The other day, Auntie Alice and I went out to play. We ate a lot of ice cream, hotpot, sugar haws, marshmallows..." Bruce went on, counting his fingers.

Minnie's face darkened. 'Isn't she a smart woman? What kind of a caretaker is she? How could she allow my son to eat unhealthy food?'

She didn't like Alice. It seemed obvious that the woman was trying to flatter her son. "Bruce, do you remember the boy we saw at the clothing shop?" asked Minnie, cocking her head to the side.

"His mother could have bought him everything he asked, but she didn't. Do you know why?"

Bruce looked at her expectantly. "Parents love their children and have bigger plans for them. They think about what's best for their little ones instead of listening to their every word. Parents may seem annoying now, but you will understand their love once you grow up. You, too, will understand everything one day, Bruce."

Bruce's face softened. His eyes lit up in an instant and he didn't look like a troublemaker anymore.

"The ice cream doesn't taste good anymore. Forget it. I'll just have one today." Bruce sighed, rubbing his stomach.

"You're the best, Bruce. If you want, we can have it tomorrow."

Minnie and Bruce had a sumptuous lunch after wandering in the shopping mall all morning. Bruce was exhausted. He usually took a nap in the afternoon, so Minnie took him home.

The two of them got into the car. Bruce's eyelids grew heavy. He leaned against the window and began to doze off. His head rattled against the glass window as the car sped across the road. Minnie swept the little boy into her arms and smiled.

"You sleep in my arms. I will wake you up once we reach home."

"Okay," he mumbled and drifted off to a contented sleep.

Minnie's heart melted at the sight of her little boy. "You are a good boy," she whispered in his ears.

They soon arrived at the villa. Minnie carefully got out of the car with the boy in her arms. Bruce stirred in her arms; his sleepy eyes lit up as soon as his gaze settled on the red Audi parked in front of the villa.

All traces of sleep vanished in an instant. He slid down from Minnie's arms and ran to the guard at the door. "Is Auntie Alice here?"

"Yes, Mr. Bruce, you are a smart man." He smiled. "She is waiting for you."

"Great! Auntie Alice!"

Bruce squealed as he ran to the reception room happily, not bothering to look at Minnie.

Anger rose in Minnie's heart. She stared at the boy, holding his coat in her hand.

She remembered Bruce telling her that Alice had been taking care of him.

However, she didn't think that her boy would get attached to her.

Alice was waiting in the reception room. Minnie heard Bruce's excited voice as soon as she walked in. "You are so kind, Auntie Alice. Daddy refused to buy me a PS4 Pro. He says that it would affect my studies. I am pissed off."

"Playing is as important as studying." Alice smiled sweetly. "Don't worry. I will talk to him. You concentrate on your game."

Bruce leaned closer and kissed her cheek.

"Auntie Alice, you are the best."

Alice smiled and shook her head.

Minnie crossed her arms over her chest and studied the woman. Alice was wearing a white shirt and a knee-length skirt. She sat on the chair, cross-legged.

Alice seemed like a smart, graceful woman. However, her attitude seemed to tell otherwise.

She glanced at the door and saw Minnie staring at her. "Are you new here? Bring me a cup of Earl Grey tea." Alice picked the teacup from the table and smiled at her.