A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 142

Winona and Veronica said their goodbyes at the restaurant entrance.

Once Winona got into Elvis's car, he immediately handed her a bouquet of delicate freesias, their pale yellow petals giving off a gentle fragrance.

She accepted them, smiling. "What's with the flowers all of a sudden?"

"Well, we're on a date, aren't we? It's only right I bring you flowers," Elvis replied. "Last time was so last-minute, I didn't have a chance to get any. This time, I wasn't going to forget."

Winona couldn't hold back her grin. "We're just going to play claw machines, you know."

Elvis chuckled, a warmth in his eyes. "It's still a date. Whether we're winning toys or doing anything else, every moment with you deserves to be taken seriously."

Winona paused, caught off guard for a second.

This wasn't the first time she'd felt how genuine Elvis was about their relationship, but every time it happened, a little glow of happiness bloomed inside her.

Elvis signaled the driver, who started the car and pulled out toward the mall.

From the rearview mirror, the driver sneaked a glance at Elvis and couldn't help but twitch a smile.

He'd been driving Elvis around for five or six years, and never before had he taken him to a bustling shopping mall—let alone to play claw machines.

Honestly, today was an eye-opener.

But ever since Elvis and Winona had grown closer, the driver had noticed a change—Elvis seemed more alive than ever.

That could only be a good thing.

Before long, they pulled into the mall's underground parking lot. Together, Winona and Elvis took the elevator up to the arcade.

This arcade was spacious and one of the more popular ones in town, so it was lively with people.

Most were lost in their games, but others immediately noticed Winona and Elvis as they entered.

Maybe it was because, today, Elvis had traded his usual tailored suit for something more casual, but even in jeans and a sweater, he carried an air of elegant detachment.

After all, she had been the one to suggest the claw machines; he figured she might want to take the first shot.

"You go first," Winona replied, mischief twinkling in her eyes.

Seeing her smile, Elvis had a feeling she'd already thought up some ridiculous cartoon outfit for him if he missed.

"Okay."

He fed a token into the slot, then carefully maneuvered the claw. It descended slowly and gripped the panda's middle.

But just as he lifted it up, the claw loosened and the panda tumbled back down.

"Oh no!" Winona exclaimed, genuinely disappointed.

Elvis frowned and tried again, putting in two more tokens. This time, the claw seemed to grip the panda a bit more firmly, but just as it neared the prize chute, it slipped—and the panda dropped right back where it started.