Chapter 586:
With her decision made, Rylie left a simple message with the butler — Kendrick shouldn’t expect her home for dinner. Dressed in relaxed athletic gear perfect for a motorcycle ride, she set off on her own.
Word of her arrival spread through mall management before she even stepped through the doors. Staff welcomed her with practiced courtesy the moment she appeared at the entrance. “Miss Owen, we’ll park your bike for you and keep the keys safe. We’ve also prepared a personal assistant to help with your shopping today.”
Rylie waved off the offer. “No need to go overboard. I’m just here to browse and check on a few things. No need to put the whole place on alert.”
A crisp nod from the manager signaled his understanding as he offered her a business card. “I’m Grayson Ramsey — VIP services, client relations. Anything you need, just give me a call and I’ll handle it personally.”
“Okay.” Rylie accepted the card, handed her car keys to the valet, and leisurely made her way to the escalator, heading straight for the basement level.
Surprise flickered between the floor managers as they watched her skip past the main boutiques. Why head for the mall’s least glamorous level?
Only discount shops and forgotten brands filled the basement — nothing that fit Rylie Owen’s profile.
Watching the others react, Grayson allowed himself a small, knowing smile. “Let her browse as she likes. If anyone down there thinks they can judge her by what she’s wearing, we’ll be the first to set them straight.”
Rylie descended the escalator to the basement floor. In stark contrast to the polished brightness, refined luxury, and calm ambiance above, this level was alive with families and shoppers moving through a lively scene. Stores offered bargain clothing, small trinkets, groceries, and quick meals. The air was filled with a jumble of food aromas, mixed with indistinct perfumes — a striking difference from the carefully curated, high-end fragrances lingering in the luxury boutiques upstairs. Where the upper floors had only a scattering of customers, the basement teemed with everyday people, browsing or guiding children through the crowd. It was a scene filled with motion and sound, far removed from the hush of the floors above.
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Rylie moved at an unhurried pace toward the entrance of the “Sweetberry” store, pausing briefly to study the display. A maternity shop occupied the space on the left, while a fast-food counter selling burgers and fried chicken stood on the right. Wedged between the two, the brand’s sense of prestige seemed dulled. The shop itself was modest in size, its window showcasing a handful of new arrivals. The fabrics reflected the light with their patterns and quality, but the overall design and cut revealed little that could be considered remarkable. Inside, the sharp white lights cast a glare that made the stacks of clothing appear even cheaper. Only a few shoppers lingered — a girl wavering in front of a rack, and a mother with her daughter browsing the accessories near the counter.
Rylie immediately recognized the girl and stepped through the door. The soft chime of the bell announced her arrival, but no staff member came forward to greet her. Instead, the girl who had been inspecting the clothes turned her head. Her worried expression brightened at once into excitement.
“Rylie!” Melany exclaimed, dropping the garment in her hands and hurrying over, her eyes shining as if she were greeting a celebrity. “I can’t believe I ran into you here! Are you shopping for clothes here too?”
“Yes, are you picking out something as well?” Rylie replied with a gentle smile.
Melany gave a quick nod. “I come here all the time.”
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