Dexter's House.
While Carl focused on washing the dishes, Peggy took a leisurely tour of the first floor. Once she was done looking around, she called Carl over to the sofa to enjoy a little quality time before she kicked the bucket.
"Carl, grandma got a little money from an old friend yesterday. How about I take you shopping? We can buy some stuff," Peggy said.
Carl's face lit up instantly, grinning from ear to ear. "For real?"
"Of course. What do you want? New clothes? New shoes?" Peggy asked.
"Both! And I want a cell phone," Carl had been wanting a phone for ages. He sounded desperate.
"No problem," Peggy agreed without hesitation. She didn't have much time left, and you can't take money with you when you die. Keeping it was pointless. "Let's go buy it right now."
Carl hesitated, thinking for a second. "I still gotta go to work. Can we go when I get back? I'll talk to Mickey and see if I can clock out early today."
"Sure," Peggy wasn't in a rush.
Seeing Peggy agree, Carl was thrilled. "Dexter just said he's inviting me to hang out on his yacht tomorrow. Grandma, do you want to come? I can ask him."
"Dexter has a yacht?" Peggy was slightly surprised.
Carl nodded. "Yeah. It's called the Bianca. Same name as his girlfriend."
Peggy smiled. "Sounds fun. Ask him and see if he's willing to invite me along."
"Okay!" Carl answered decisively.
---
After dropping Bianca off at the hospital, Dexter thought for a moment and decided not to go straight home. He drove toward the store to buy supplies for the yacht trip tomorrow while dialing the real estate agent.
"Mr. King," the agent answered almost immediately upon seeing the caller ID, sounding like a Pavlovian dog hearing a bell—excited and eager.
"I forgot something yesterday. There's an empty lot next to the Gallagher house at 2119 North Wallace Street. Find the owner ASAP and buy that land for me," Dexter said.
Since Dexter was a VIP client, the agent knew his portfolio well. He immediately knew which lot Dexter was talking about.
"Understood. That shouldn't be difficult; that lot has been abandoned for a long time," the agent replied. "I'll get it done for you as soon as possible."
"Good. Thanks."
"My pleasure. Call anytime."
Call ended.
Dexter thought for a moment, then dialed Kevin.
Kevin had just woken up not long ago. He was in the middle of a cold war with Veronica, ignoring her completely while enthusiastically serving breakfast to Ethel.
Hearing his phone ring, Kevin picked up. "Hello?"
"You're up. Listen, we're hitting my yacht tomorrow. Order me some extra booze today," Dexter said directly.
Kevin had never been on a yacht in his life. He grinned like an idiot. "You got it. No problem. How many people, and what kind of shelf are we talking?"
"Enough for two hundred people. Top shelf," Dexter replied.
"Jesus! How many people are coming tomorrow?" Kevin was shocked.
"Haha, I don't know either. I'm gonna tweet about it in a sec. We'll see," Dexter laughed.
"Damn. Then booze for two hundred people might not be enough," Kevin immediately flashed back to the sea of people at the last barbecue party.
"Can't help that. My yacht can only hold so many people. The rest will just have to party on the dock," Dexter chuckled.
They chatted for a bit.
Dexter thought about it and decided to ask, "You and Veronica okay?"
Kevin paused, taking a few seconds to process what Dexter was asking. "V told you?"
"Looks like you guys talked," Dexter didn't answer directly.
Bringing this up pissed Kevin off. He quickly walked out of the house to vent. "We talked when I got home from work last night. I really don't get why V has to be like this..."
"You're wrong," Dexter didn't let him finish. He cut him off bluntly.
"????" Kevin was confused. "You haven't even heard what I have to say..."
"I don't need to hear the rest to know you're wrong," Dexter said.
Kevin: "...Why?"
"When you got married, what did your vows say? Veronica is your wife. No one else can take her place. Is that reason enough?" Dexter stopped laughing and asked seriously.
"..." Kevin was speechless for a moment, then instinctively tried to defend himself. "But the kid..."
"No buts! Kevin, don't be stupid. Don't ruin a good thing. Think about it. When you figure it out, go apologize to Veronica."
Kevin: "..."
Seeing Kevin go silent, Dexter didn't say more. He hung up and focused on driving.
Arriving at the mall.
Dexter shopped while opening Twitter to post an update: [Tomorrow at 10 AM, Pier XX, Slip XX, The Bianca. Everyone is welcome to come play. Free food and drinks. Bring your own swimsuits... Ladies, dress sexy. ^_^]
---
"Haha, Mr. Ding, what are you up to?"
"Mr. Ding, you have bad intentions. @Bianca"
"Hehe, Mr. Ding, how sexy are we talking?"
"^_^, Mr. Ding, what's your type? DM me."
"@Bianca, come get your boyfriend."
"@Bianca, your boyfriend is running a fever."
"..."
"Mr. Ding, you're a saint."
"Will definitely be there tomorrow!"
"Mr. Ding, I appreciate you more and more every day."
"..."
The Hospital.
Bianca happened to have a break and saw the tweet just in time. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"This bastard," Bianca laughed, cursing at her phone. She thought for a second and left a comment: [You just wait!]
With that comment popping up, naturally, the fans went wild, stirring the pot with glee.
"We support you, Bianca! Beat his ass!"
"Lock him in the yacht's kitchen tomorrow! Make him cook until he drops so he can't look at hot girls!"
"Haha, agreed!"
"..."
Bianca read the comments, laughing hysterically.
In the Mall.
Dexter closed Twitter and started making calls to Mickey, Svetlana... and Karen.
Karen was in the Gallagher backyard, watching Lip tinker with the broken van.
She answered the phone and listened to what Dexter had to say...
Karen instinctively glanced at Lip, who had a cigarette dangling from his mouth, fully focused on fixing a piece of junk.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
And the gap between these two men was massive. One was in the sky, the other was in the dirt.
"Okay, I'll be there. Thanks," Karen said, hanging up the phone. She fell into deep thought.
Karen had met Bianca and looked her up online.
What was so great about Bianca anyway?
Why did she deserve all of this?
Why couldn't I have it?
For a moment, Karen was consumed by jealousy. Her mind raced.
She even thought about finding an opportunity to sleep with Dexter again, maybe take Bianca's place.
"Karen, what's wrong?" Lip exhaled a cloud of smoke and asked.
Karen snapped out of it and shook her head with a smile. "Nothing."
"Who was on the phone?" Lip asked.
"Dexter. He's throwing a yacht party tomorrow. He invited everyone he knows," Karen said cheerfully, acting like it was no big deal. "So, want to go together?"
Lip's face changed. He stared at Karen. "Are you kidding me??"