After her rebirth

Watching Laura strut off like she owned the place, the folks in the coffee shop couldn't help but let out a collective sigh.

After telling them to tidy up, Amara turned her attention to Preston, trying to calm him down.

She couldn't resist asking Katniss, "Katniss, how'd you know about the Evans family? That's some wild stuff."

Katniss thought for a sec, then said, "Amara, I heard it from my relatives. Didn't think it'd pop up on the news today, though."

Amara just nodded, not pushing it further. She and Katniss grabbed an ice pack to soothe Preston's swollen, red face, trying to comfort him.

Preston, with his young face all puffy and red from crying, looked like a mess.

Amara's eyes got misty, and she said angrily, "I can't believe that girl Debra would be so cruel to a kid. I used to give her discounts 'cause she was a regular."

Katniss remembered the Debra that Laura had cursed outside the store, made a mental note of her face, and told Amara, "Next time she shows up, just kick her out." After a busy spell in the shop, Katniss decided to check on the house Aurora had left her, see how the renovations were going.

Fixing up the place after Simon trashed it had drained a lot of her cash, and now she was feeling the pinch again.

Even with Maximilian's consultation fee, she'd still have to pay the final bill once the repairs were done. Plus, she needed new furniture.

Adding it all up, she still needed a chunk of change.

Katniss sighed and decided to hoof it to the bus stop. It was just over two miles, and she could save a few bucks.

After crossing this traffic light, it was just over 1,000 feet to the bus stop.

Katniss stared at the busy road, a bit lost in thought. This place would be a prime financial hub in the future, and even a tiny storefront would cost a fortune. "Hey, isn't that Katniss?"

Inside the hotel, Felix suddenly shouted, pointing at the crowd by the traffic light.

Samuel and an older guy squinted, trying to spot her, "Where?"

Maximilian looked up, followed Felix's finger, and immediately saw Katniss in the crowd.

She looked so thin, with a white crossbody bag, standing quietly among the people, looking all innocent, like a perfect little angel.

Seeing this, Maximilian couldn't help but smile.

A furry head popped up beside Maximilian, big round eyes peeking out, climbing up with hands and feet, standing on tiptoes, trying to see outside. A kid asked, "Where?"

Samuel laughed heartily, and within a few seconds, he spotted Katniss too. He quickly nudged Maximilian, saying, "What a coincidence, Maximilian, why don't you call her over for dinner!" As he spoke, he seemed sure Maximilian would call Katniss over, pulling his old friend beside him and saying, "Brent, today you'll meet the girl who's even more impressive than you!" Maximilian glanced over, and before he could say anything, Felix had already handed him his phone, saying, "Maximilian, call Katniss quick, she'll leave once the light turns green!" Maximilian paused for a moment, then took the phone and dialed.

Just as the light turned green, Katniss was about to cross the street when her phone rang. Seeing it was Maximilian, she answered right away. "Hey, Maximilian?"

"Katniss, you eaten yet?" Maximilian's voice was all calm and soft on the other end.

"Huh?" Katniss blinked, "Not yet."

Maximilian said, "Cross the street and wait for me. Let's grab dinner together?"

For a moment, it felt like time stood still. Katniss suddenly looked up, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the hotel across the street. Maximilian was in that hotel?

How could Katniss say no to Maximilian's invite? She immediately agreed, "Okay."

"The place is the Starry Night Hotel lobby. I'll have Felix come get you." Maximilian responded and then hung up.

Looking down, he saw Katniss jogging across the street, glancing up at the hotel.

Maximilian wasn't in the best health, and Katniss didn't want him waiting too long, so she jogged across the street as soon as the light turned green.

The Starry Night Hotel had a famous chef who made a killer dessert, limited to 50 servings a day. Once they were gone, that was it. She had tried it once and couldn't forget it. But Clara also loved it, and Lucas would snag a serving for her if there were any left.

But Katniss never got any.

Just as she was about to enter, a black Mercedes sped over, almost hitting her.

The screeching sound of the tires braking was ear-piercing.

Katniss was so scared she took a few steps back.

"Are you nuts?!" the driver yelled at Katniss.

Katniss's anger flared up immediately. Almost hitting someone and still daring to yell?

Was that driver out of his mind? Just as she was about to yell back, she saw the man in the car, and her voice got stuck in her throat.

A refined and handsome man got out from the back seat, walked around to the other side, and opened the door. A woman dressed in black stockings got out of the car.

It was late autumn, and people were wearing jackets and long pants. The woman getting out of the car had bare shoulders, a short skirt, and black stockings, looking stylish and alluring. Several men on the roadside couldn't take their eyes off her legs.

As soon as the woman got out, the man naturally put his arm around her waist.

Katniss's eyes turned cold, and she couldn't help but speak, "Kieran!"

Kieran was stunned for a few seconds when he saw Katniss, then quickly remembered who she was, Saskia's pretty little cousin, Katniss.

His arm around the woman stiffened, and he quickly withdrew it.

"Katniss? What are you doing here?"

Remembering Saskia's death in her past life, which had a lot to do with Kieran's infidelity, Katniss's eyes turned icy.

Katniss smirked, "Shouldn't I be asking you that? Saskia said she was going home to make you lunch, but you're not home. What are you doing here with an old woman?" Old woman?

Brenda White's face darkened at the words and said angrily, "Watch your tone!"

Katniss's expression remained unchanged, her cold eyes fixed on Kieran.

That look made Kieran feel guilty.

But seeing Katniss's pretty and youthful face, Kieran quickly regained his composure and pulled Brenda, "She's just a kid."

With a refined smile, Kieran explained to Katniss, "I was going to head back, but then a dinner meeting came up unexpectedly. This is my colleague, Brenda White."

Brenda's eyes flashed with a hint of jealousy as she took a good look at Katniss's face.

After hearing Kieran's explanation, Katniss laughed and said, "What kind of colleague relationship involves putting your arm around her waist?"