After saying this, Paula immediately reached out to grab gift boxes from the Christmas tree with a determined look. Mall shoppers nearby stared in shock at the scene.
Someone whispered, "What's wrong with these people? How can they just take the decorations?"
Paula didn't care at all. She glared at those surprised onlookers and rolled her eyes dismissively. "What are you staring at? The mall is running an event, and we're participating! If you're not joining, don't stop others from doing it!"
The crowd gradually gathered around them, stirred up by Paula's provocation. Some people began getting restless, wanting to do the same as Paula and Oliver.
Others stood in place, hesitating between wanting to take advantage and fearing trouble.
I stood to the side, watching everything coldly with mixed feelings.
The tragedy from my previous life played vividly in my mind. I clearly remembered that this stampede ultimately led to chaos in the mall, with countless deaths and injuries. Yet the instigators, Oliver and Paula, had escaped unharmed.
While they weren't paying attention, I secretly called the police, telling them the mall was getting crowded and chaotic. I told them I was worried something might happen.
I then asked them to send officers quickly to maintain order. After hanging up, I quietly moved away from the crowd. In this life, I had to protect myself and my unborn child.
Paula and Oliver stood out prominently in the crowd.
Paula looked anxious, her eyes fixed intently on the gift boxes hanging from the Christmas tree. Oliver could no longer contain his excitement and began climbing toward the higher parts of the tree, targeting the bigger, more tempting gift boxes.
"Hurry, Oli, climb higher! There must be good stuff up there!" Paula shouted while reaching to grab as many gift boxes as possible.
Paula's voice was sharp and urgent, as if urging everyone to join this grabbing frenzy. Conversations rippled through the crowd. Some people looked confused, others were tempted, but most were just watching.
"Is there really stuff in these boxes?" a young woman asked.
"Of course there is! Look how hard they're fighting for them. There must be good stuff inside! I'm going to grab a couple too!" A middle-aged man rubbed his hands together and joined the scramble.
Just then, Oliver successfully grabbed a gift box from high up and shouted excitedly, "Mom, I got one! This box looks pretty big, so there must be something good inside!"
When Paula heard this, her face immediately lit up with joy. "Great! Open it up and see!"
Oliver didn't open the gift box right away. Instead, he clutched it tightly to his chest, afraid that someone might snatch it away.
The discussions in the crowd became even more heated. They could no longer resist the temptation and began joining the scramble.
"Quick, let's grab some too!" a young man shouted.
"Right, we can't let them take everything!" a middle-aged woman chimed in.
The situation gradually spiraled out of control. People started fighting and pushing, with some even falling to the ground.
The order in the mall finally collapsed.
