Sweet Love 2x: Miss Ruthless CEO for our Superstar Uncle-Chapter 164: Winter Errands

Arianne stood near the console table beside the entrance, fastening the buttons of Lily’s small wool coat. The coat was a deep red, thick enough to protect against the sharp winter wind. Lily fidgeted while Arianne worked, twisting her shoulders and peering down the hallway as if the house itself might be hiding something interesting.

"Hold still for a moment," Arianne said, smoothing the collar into place. "You were the one who wanted to go out today."

Lily tipped her chin up proudly, though her boots made soft impatient sounds against the marble floor. "I know. But the mall is big. I have to look around first before deciding what clothes I like."

Arianne studied her for a second, the corner of her mouth lifting.

"That sounds like a very careful strategy."

Behind Lily, Leo lingered close to Arianne’s side. He wore a thick grey coat that made his small shoulders look even narrower. Unlike Lily, he remained quiet, his gaze drifting from the front door to the tall windows beside the staircase. When the wind outside brushed against the glass, he shifted closer to Arianne. His fingers curled gently around her hand.

Arianne didn’t comment on the gesture. She simply adjusted the scarf around his neck and tucked the loose edge neatly into his coat.

"You’re warm enough?" she asked.

Leo nodded once. His grip on her hand didn’t loosen.

Across the hall, Mira waited near the doorway with the quiet patience of someone used to long stretches of observation. Her posture remained relaxed but attentive, eyes occasionally scanning the entrance and the windows without making the motion obvious.

The car had already been brought around to the front.

Arianne glanced toward the staircase once, confirming that no one else was moving about. Franz had left early that morning for another round of promotional schedules tied to the medical drama series.

Lily tugged on Arianne’s sleeve. "Are we leaving now?"

"Yes." Arianne took Leo’s hand more firmly and guided both children toward the door.

The winter air greeted them as soon as the entrance opened. The cold brushing against their cheeks before the driver hurried forward to open the rear door.

Lily climbed in first, her boots leaving small traces of melted snow against the floor mat. Leo followed more cautiously, glancing once over his shoulder toward the estate before settling into his seat.

Arianne slid in beside them while Mira took the front passenger seat.

The car pulled away with quiet efficiency, the gates opening just long enough for them to pass before closing again.

Montclair in winter had a subdued rhythm. The streets were busier near the center of town, but the snow softened the usual noise of traffic. People moved quickly along sidewalks bundled in coats and scarves, their breath briefly visible in the cold air.

Lily pressed her nose against the window. "There’s still snow on the roofs. Do you think the mall will have snow inside too?"

Arianne glanced at Lily’s reflection in the glass.

"I doubt it. The heating would melt it before anyone finished shopping."

"That’s too bad," Lily said thoughtfully. "Snow would make the stores more interesting."

Leo watched the street quietly from the opposite side of the seat. His hand remained loosely wrapped around Arianne’s sleeve.

The drive to the Montclair Grand Mall didn’t take long. It was the largest shopping center in the area, and even from the parking structure the scale of the building was obvious. The entrance doors opened and closed in a constant rhythm as shoppers moved in and out.

Inside, the temperature rose immediately. Warm air drifted through the entrance corridor.

Lily’s head turned in several directions at once.

"There are so many stores. How are we supposed to see all of them?"

"We’re not," Arianne replied calmly. "We’re here for winter clothes. That narrows the options."

Leo stepped closer to her side as they entered the main corridor. The open space created a soft echo of footsteps and conversation, which seemed to make him uneasy. Without speaking, he slipped his hand back into Arianne’s.

Mira walked a short distance behind them, maintaining enough space to appear casual while still observing the movement of the crowd.

They began with one of the larger children’s clothing stores near the atrium. Inside, racks of small coats and sweaters filled the floor in orderly rows. Bright colors stood out against the softer winter palette of the mall.

Lily moved toward the nearest display immediately, lifting a sleeve here and a scarf there with enthusiastic curiosity.

"This one is nice," she announced, holding up a pale blue sweater. "But Leo probably won’t like it."

Leo stood beside Arianne, examining the sweater with quiet seriousness before shaking his head once.

"See?" Lily said, setting it back. "He doesn’t like it."

Arianne studied the rack. "You haven’t even tried it on him."

"That’s because he already decided," Lily replied confidently. "Leo knows things."

Leo looked mildly uncomfortable at being discussed this way and shifted closer to Arianne. She rested a hand against his shoulder.

"You can choose something too," she told him.

Leo glanced around the store before pointing quietly toward a row of darker jackets near the wall. The jacket he chose was simple—grey, with a small hood and sturdy stitching.

Arianne lifted it from the rack and checked the label. "That’s a practical choice."

Lily tilted her head while inspecting it. "It looks serious. But I guess Leo likes serious things."

They spent the next several minutes moving through the store, selecting a few pieces that balanced warmth and practicality. Lily occasionally offered opinions that had more enthusiasm than logic, while Leo followed closely beside Arianne, watching the process with silent concentration.

When they stepped back into the mall corridor, the flow of people had grown slightly heavier. Arianne adjusted the shopping bags in her hand while scanning the directory ahead.

A familiar voice spoke from her right. "Ms. Summers?"

She turned.

Audrey Sawyer stood a few steps away, a slim tablet tucked under one arm and a small shopping bag in her other hand. Her expression carried the mild surprise of someone who hadn’t expected to run into a familiar face in the middle of a weekday afternoon.

"I didn’t expect to see you here," Audrey continued, stepping closer. "You look like you’re on a very specific mission."

Arianne’s posture relaxed slightly.

"Winter clothes. The twins have grown since the last time we checked."

Audrey’s attention shifted toward the children.

Lily offered a cheerful wave. "Hello."

Audrey returned the gesture with a small smile. "Nice to meet you. I’m Audrey."

Leo stayed half a step behind Arianne, his hand still holding hers. He studied Audrey quietly without speaking.

Audrey’s expression softened. "He’s observant. I can see that already."

Lily nodded enthusiastically.

"Leo notices everything. He just doesn’t say it out loud."

Arianne glanced toward the restaurant level above them. "We were about to find lunch. Have you eaten yet?"

Audrey looked at the shopping bag in her hand before shaking her head.

"Not yet. I’ve been walking around the mall longer than I expected. Lunch sounds like a reasonable decision at this point."

Lily brightened immediately. "Does the restaurant have fries?"

Audrey laughed softly. "I think most of them do."

Arianne adjusted the strap of one bag before guiding the children toward the escalator.

"Then we’ll find one that does."

The four of them moved together through the crowd toward the upper level. The steady hum of conversation blended with the faint music drifting from nearby stores, creating the familiar background noise of a busy afternoon.

Leo stayed close to Arianne’s side as they approached the escalator, his small hand tightening around hers.

They stepped onto the escalator together, rising gradually toward the row of restaurants on the upper floor while the snowfall outside continued its quiet descent beyond the glass.