Chapter 79 - Donation

"Hello everyone, we are a non-profit certified international organization called Animals are Love. Can we take a bit of your time to explain our organization and goals? And if you're interested, please donate to our cause."

Holley's face lit up. "Oh my, of course! We would love to."

They zoomed to the booth guided by the two people wearing costumes. I sighed, lips ruffling as I did and followed them.

"Wow! Isn't this young Miss Goldwood, young Miss Collin, and Mr. Mandeville? I'm Emma Deleon," one of the members said. From the way she was dress and from the way she spoke, I bet she's the leader.

Rowan frowned, he probably didn't like the fact that people didn't know him.

I stood by the booth and grabbed a pamphlet, ignoring the others, who exchanged pleasantries to the woman named Emma.

I was concentrating on reading the pamphlet when I was disturbed by Holley's voice. I didn't notice that they were already beside me.

"Leanna, aren't you going to donate?"

"All of us donated ten thousand dollars each." Sophia covered her mouth. "Oh, right. You probably don't have enough money. Do you want us to cover for you?"

They snickered.

Emma, sensing that something was wrong, stood behind the table in silence.

"Honey, I can pay for you, but it'll cost you a night," Rowan whispered in my ear. He took the liberty at inspecting my body with his lustful eyes.

I ignored them and gave Emma my full attention. "Sorry, I don't have enough cash with me nor did I bring with me a cheque."

Emma waved her hand. "Oh, that's alri––"

"But I can donate this, right?" I gave her the bag which held the twenty-carat Jadeite ring.

I don't want it anyway.

"T-t-this! Of course, you can donate it! We can auction or sell this!" Emma was full of smile, expression in euphoria when she unwrapped the box and the ring glittered beneath her eyes.

"Are you crazy?! That's a six hundred-thousand-dollar ring!"

Sophia's shout shocked the daylights out of everyone.

"Who's that? That gave me a shock."

"That's Collin's young miss. I didn't know she can also shout like that."

Whispers weaved the bustling sidewalk which pulled Sophia out of her momentary loss of self. She swiftly followed up, "Uhmm . . . it's because that ring was gifted to you. You shouldn't give it out so casually."

I tilted my head, and with an apologetic face said, "I'm sorry, but I'm sure Mr. Mandeville will understand. After all, he is such a generous young man. He'll not get angry at me for donating his gift for such a noble cause, right?"

Nixon's face was so crumpled that I thought he would cry. His trembling hands were white from being pressed into fists like he was holding himself so he wouldn't strangle me to death.

"Well then, everyone, it's nice knowing you. I must return now since it's getting late," I said and bolted away without waiting for their response.

. . .

. . .

It had been quite a while after Leanna left the group, but none didn't know what happened.

They couldn't believe what kind of girl she was. It was a first meeting that a girl was not afraid of them. Who was not scared of destroying her own image. Who would throw away half a million dollars' worth of jewelry just like that.

They thought, since she came from the farms and mountains, she was meek. Easy to bully. But in truth, she appeared meek but thick-skinned.