"Pfff!" Sophia couldn't hold it in, she burst into a soft laugh.
Keith whipped his head around.
Panic mode: activated.
Sophia instantly ducked behind the nearest shelf like a seasoned spy.
No kidding. That man radiated pure "kill or f*ck" energy.
Agent Whiskers, still nestled in her arms, curled his tail around her protectively and shivered. But with a brave front, he declared,
"Don't worry, Host. I am here."
Sophia: "…" That's exactly the problem.
Once Keith finally left the store, Sophia let out a sigh and cursed her luck. What were the odds of running into a certified psychopath wrapped in designer clothes?
Shaking it off, she walked up to the self-checkout counter. Just as she reached for her wallet, the screen blinked.
[Payment Complete. Previous customer has covered your bill.]
Sophia clicked her tongue in irritation.
She wasn't a gold digger.
But seriously? That arrogant attitude? That mocking tone? And hurting Agent Whiskers, too?
Oh, no way was she letting him get away with a small gesture like that. She demands compensation.
Without hesitation, she began loading all the cup noodles and drinks from the nearby rack into her trolley.
Agent Whiskers hesitated, then whispered cautiously,
"Host… won't he think you're a gold digger if you buy so much now?"
Sophia paused mid-grab, blinking in realization.
"…You're right. He definitely will."
Agent Whiskers watched her turn around with the cart and was immediately filled with pride and guilt.
'Ah… my host truly is kind-hearted. Unlike those greedy souls, she's resisting temptation. I can't believe I doubted her. Shame on me! She has a heart of gold...'
Clang. Clang.
The sound of items crashing into the cart shattered his inner monologue.
He looked up.
Sophia was shoving everything off the racks with the intensity of a vengeful squirrel preparing for winter.
"Now that he thinks I'm a gold digger…" she muttered, deadpan, "I should prove him right. Otherwise, I'd be at a loss."
Agent Whiskers: "…"
In the end, Sophia ended up buying half the store.
She tried not to think too hard about it.
After all, she still had no idea about the original owner's financial situation. If she wanted to settle down in this world, complete her missions, and not starve, then money was going to be her top priority.
With that in mind, and her cart now heavier than her future responsibilities, Sophia made her way toward the Parker Family estate.
Something about today felt off. Everything seemed connected yet disconnected at the same time.
Unfortunately, her detective instincts were interrupted by a harsh dose of reality.
It was already evening.
And thanks to her spontaneous shopping spree, she now needed to call a taxi.
"But all my money will be gone in one ride," she muttered, clutching her wallet like it had betrayed her.
"And what if the Parker family just slams the gates in my face? I can't exactly bribe them with cup noodles… Can I?"
She sighed dramatically."Life is hard. Fine. I'll find a cheap hotel nearby. Or sleep in a hotel lobby and confront them fresh in the morning."
She tapped her temple lightly.
"Hey, system, find me a cheap hotel. Like… five dollars cheap. I just need a mattress and functioning air."
Agent Whisker, who had once again vanished and resumed his "system" form, replied with a dry tone:
[Host, you might as well ask for a free stay.]
Sophia rolled her eyes. "Rude."
[Locating…]
[No five-dollar hotels found. You live in a capitalist society, not a charity program.]
[Opting for second-best options… Two found.]
With the system's help, she finally rented a room for $20. Still a bargain… but with her finances, even that was a gut-punch.
'Tomorrow, I'll rob the Parker family until they cry tears of blood.'
Sophia was known for her silver tongue. Back in her world, she was the top saleswoman in her department—and had even dabbled in digital marketing.
Had she not transmigrated, she was absolutely sure she would've been a millionaire by 30. (A/N: She has no evidence of this, but let her dream.)
The Next Morning
Sophia groggily sat up in bed, surrounded by towers of cup noodles and snacks like a dragon hoarding treasures.
And then it hit her.
An idea.
Her mood brightened instantly.
After getting ready and having a basic breakfast, she made her way to the front desk.
The receptionist from last night was still there. She looked half-asleep, tapping away on her phone.
Sophia leaned casually on the counter.
"Hey," she said. "Do you guys sell snacks here?"
The receptionist blinked. "Just the vending machine."
Sophia nodded like that was exactly what she expected. "And does anyone actually use it?"
A shrug. "Sometimes."
Sophia pulled a small packet of premium cup noodles out of her bag and held it up like it was a bar of gold.