Kevin wasn't stupid—he brought this up on purpose.
Why?
On one hand, as far as Fiona was concerned, Kevin didn't really have any feelings for her anymore. At most, he occasionally fantasized about a threesome with Veronica and Fiona. Other than that? Nothing.
On the other hand, Kevin really didn't like Fiona's attitude toward Veronica lately.
So the goal of saying all this was simple: provoke her.
And yeah—it worked.
Fiona was seriously triggered.
Actually, Lip was too.
"Holy shit—you just got a bar for free?" Lip asked in shock. He and Kevin were on decent terms.
Kevin flashed a wide, smug grin. "Pretty awesome, right?"
Lip hated that look. His expression shifted slightly. "Sure, but the Alibi's a dump. Business depends on a bunch of drunks. It's not like it makes real money."
Kevin smiled and shook his head. "Not necessarily. Dexter's investing. He'll also send customers over from his restaurant. I think we'll make a solid profit."
Lip: "…"
Dexter again.
Lip's face darkened, clearly annoyed. "I'd still be careful. Don't end up getting screwed and losing everything."
Kevin didn't like hearing that. "Lip, you're biased against him. He's actually a really good guy. And there's no point in screwing me over—the Alibi isn't worth that much."
"Besides, I'm sure he wouldn't do that."
Lip raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by Kevin's logic. "Oh yeah? How are you so sure?"
Kevin didn't notice the condescension and just laughed. "Because the day before yesterday, he hired a Russian whore named Svetlana and is opening a fruit store with her as the manager."
"He wouldn't spend that much money just to screw her over, right?"
The words landed.
Lip froze. "???"
Fiona froze even harder. "????"
A Russian whore suddenly becoming the manager of a legit fruit store—making real money, maybe even a lot of money?
Was this a joke?
The contrast was too extreme. The hit was brutal.
Fiona couldn't take it. Her emotions churned violently, her mind in complete chaos.
Veronica and Kevin had only known Dexter for a short time, and he was already investing in them—renovating the Alibi, sending customers their way…
At this rate, how long before Veronica and Kevin made serious money? Before they leveled up in status and escaped this neighborhood?
And then there was that whore—picked by Dexter, instantly pulled out of a degrading life and transformed into someone polished and respectable…
Fiona felt like her head was about to explode. She couldn't stop thinking: What if I hadn't quit that restaurant job?
Like Veronica—just a few days in, already making over a thousand dollars in tips. Forget that—what if, someday, Dexter might've invested in her too?
Just like that…
Fiona became painfully aware of what she'd actually given up.
Money—and something even more important: limitless possibilities for her life.
The next second, she completely lost her appetite. All she wanted was a bottle of alcohol and to get blackout drunk.
As for saying anything to Veronica… yeah right. She didn't have it in her.
Veronica noticed the change in Fiona's expression and felt helpless. "Kev, what are you saying? Stop it."
Kevin smiled and obediently shut up.
The atmosphere in the diner quickly turned awkward.
No one said anything.
After a short while, Fiona silently took a deep breath, glanced at the clock on the wall, and said to Lip and the others, "It's getting late. You done eating? Time to get ready for school."
Then she turned to Veronica. "V, thanks."
The hint to leave was painfully obvious. Veronica wasn't stupid—there was no way she could stay. "Don't mention it. We'll head out. We'll talk again when you've got time."
Fiona nodded. "Okay."
Veronica and Kevin stood up and left.
On the way out—
"Kev, you did that on purpose, didn't you?" Veronica asked.
Kevin nodded, totally upfront. "I don't like how Fiona's been treating you. She can't get over it mentally—that's her problem. Taking it out on you? That's bullshit."
"Ugh…" Veronica didn't like Fiona's attitude either. "Don't be like that. She's still my best friend…"
"You can get a new best friend," Kevin said bluntly. "Honestly, she's not worth all the coddling. Look at how much you've helped her—this is how she treats you? That's insane."
Kevin wasn't wrong.
Hearing it out loud, Veronica felt a bit annoyed with Fiona too.
She'd gone all out helping so many times, and just because of a job, she got treated like this?
Why should she?
"Forget it," Veronica said, not wanting to dwell on it. "It's still early. I need to go sign up and take the GED test. Come with me."
"Sure."
---
At the Milkovich House
After breakfast, there was still over an hour before work.
Just thinking about being stuck at work until nighttime made Mickey restless. He decided to head out and actually live his own life for a bit.
So he quickly stripped off the work clothes he'd just put on, changed into his old outfit, lit a cigarette, and got ready to leave.
Mandy saw this and panicked. "Mickey, why are you changing? Where are you going? You're not going to work?!"
"I'm going out for a bit! I'll go when it's time!" Mickey replied without turning his head as he walked out.
Hearing that he was still going to work, Mandy relaxed a little—but she was still confused. "Then why change clothes? You're not going out to screw around, are you?!"
"None of your business! Get your ass to school!"
Mickey snapped impatiently and walked out the door.
Mandy had a headache. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to follow him and see what he was really up to.
When Mickey noticed her behind him, his headache got worse. "Why are you following me?"
"Why do you care? You own the road or something?" Mandy shot back.
"Fxxk off!" Mickey cursed, too lazy to argue. With his cocky, swaggering walk, he headed toward the convenience store.
He missed that place. Felt like doing a little five-finger discount—relive the old days.
Mandy didn't say anything. She just followed quietly.
Inside the store, the cashier, Kashi, immediately looked miserable when he saw the Milkovich siblings. He quickly looked away and pretended not to see them.
Mickey shot him a glare, grabbed a bag of chips, ripped it open, and stuffed a handful into his mouth.
Crunch.
Still eating, he took a few more steps, grabbed a case of canned beer, then turned and walked straight for the exit.
Seeing this, Kashi kept his head down and said nothing, acting like nothing happened.
Mandy was seriously speechless. Mickey had changed clothes just to come do this? She shook her head, then immediately walked over to the counter, pulled out cash, and paid.
When he saw the money, Kashi was stunned. "?????"
A Milkovich… paying?
Did the sun rise in the west?
So shocked that he didn't even dare take the money at first.
Mickey had reached the door when he caught Mandy's action out of the corner of his eye. He stopped and turned around.
In that moment…
For reasons he couldn't explain, Mickey suddenly felt like it was all pointless. Something felt off.
He froze.
A few seconds passed.
"Fxxk!"
Mickey cursed in pure frustration, shoved the door open, and walked out of the store.