After the New Year's Eve Tragedy Her Icy Return novel Chapter 72

“Sigh, business has been tough lately.” The elderly woman’s hands, rough and worn from years of labor, gently selected eggs from a bamboo basket beside her, placing them carefully on the grass in front of her.

Her voice, strained by the tremors in her hands, stirred something inside Caroline.

She felt a deep sympathy for the woman’s struggles, as if the weight of her hardships was pressing against her own chest.

Caroline glanced down at the small pile of eggs, no more than 30 in total.

The price is only a little more than usual, and I can afford it. Besides, buying them will help the elderly woman out in some small way.

“Alright, I’ll take them all,” Caroline said, handing over the money.

After the elderly woman packed up her stand and began to leave, Caroline felt a small sense of satisfaction. She had done something good today.

As a smile began to form on her lips, she felt a sudden weight on her shoulder.

Surprised, she turned and saw Blake standing behind her.

“Dr. Sherwood, are you buying groceries too?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Blake’s expression was unreadable. Instead of responding directly, he simply said, “Come with me.”

Without waiting for her to answer, he turned and walked away. Caroline, though puzz followed him. “Where are we going?” she asked as they walked.

Blake didn’t turn to look at her. “You’ll see soon enough

There was something reassuring about his presence, something that made Caroline feel safe, as though everything would work out in the end.

They moved through the market, Blake leading her past the bustling crowd until they came to a stop. He pointed ahead.

“Look over there.”

Caroline followed his finger, spotting the familiar figure of the old woman–the same one who had sold her the eggs.

The elderly woman was entering the supermarket, likely to buy more groceries.

Turning to Blake, Caroline’s confusion deepened. “What’s going on over there?”

Blake’s response was calm and steady. “Just wait a moment. You’ll understand in a second.”

Though still unsure, Caroline focused her attention on the supermarket’s entrance.

The crowd was thinning, and nothing seemed out of place at first.

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08:47 Sat, May 3

Chapter 72 You’re Wasting Your Talent

Then, a moment later, the old woman came back out of the store, two cartons of eggs in hand.

It was clear she had just purchased those eggs from the store.

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Finished

Caroline’s face darkened as suspicion began to creep in The old woman had sold her eggs claiming they were free–range, but now she was buying store–bought eggs.

When she was starting to get worked up, Blake’s voice cut through her thoughts. “You’re not familiar with this market, so it’s understandable. But this kind of thing happens a lot around here. Some elderly people sell cheap, store–bought vegetables or eggs, pretending they’re free–range or homegrown. They count on people like you, with good intentions, thinking they’re offering fresh, natural products.”

What’s wrong with this world?

It doesn’t seem worth confronting the woman. It will likely lead to an argument, and who knows if the elderly woman will turn it into some kind of scam or something worse? It’s just not worth the trouble.