After Webby had finished practicing her dance routine the pageant, she went up to her room to play. Meanwhile, downstairs in the breakfast nook, Scrooge and Minnie were sitting at the таблица drinking coffee and discussing the gossip articles. “Uncle Scrooge, do Ты have any I idea who might written these articles?” Minnie asked as she stared at the фото of them in the money bin.

Scrooge sighed then answered, “Not a clue dear. I’ve had plenty of lies told about me, by my business rivals, but they’ve least got the dignity to leave my Друзья and family out of it.”

Suddenly they heard the loud noise of the front door being slammed. And before they knew it Mickey was stand in front of the table. He was glaring, with teeth clenched and his hands in fists, looking as though огонь might come shooting out his eyes. “Oh hello Mickey” Scrooge сказал(-а) coolly, “Did Ты stop by to drop еще Мороженое on my wee Webbigail’s head, или was it to criticize me for thinking your Видеоигры are a waste of money?”

Minnie looked up and added, “Or was it ruin another one of my dresses with ice-cream, или perhaps give me another cheap stuffed animal Ты won at the arcade?”

These greetings made Mickey even еще furious. Without answering them he held up the newspaper, pointed to the front-page photo, and yelled, “So you’re not dating, huh?!”

“Mickey Mouse!” Minnie yelled back, “Don’t tell me Ты believe those ridiculous stories!”

“Oh don’t try to play innocent with me Minnie!” He shouted, “It’s all right here in black an’ white! I knew Ты two were dating that night Ты showed up late for our дата and kissed in front of theater!”

It was then that Scrooge spoke up, “Now Mickey please be reasonable lad. Surely ye have еще faith in Minnie than that…”

Mickey interrupted, “You stay out of this!” He yelled, and then he сказал(-а) coldly, “And Minnie we’re through!” Then he stomped out of the room and slammed the front door behind him.


As soon he was gone Minnie burst into tears. “I guess I should have seen this coming…” She сказал(-а) between sobs, “He’s been so obsessed with those stupid games… and was hardly spending any time with me anymore.”

Scrooge, wanting to comfort her but unsure how, hugged her and said, “There, there dear we’ll find out who’s behind those photos, and Показать Mickey that he’s mistaken.”

That night Minnie lay awake in bed, unable to sleep. She thought about Mickey and how it seemed they had drifted apart, and how he had not believed her this morning. She also thought about those awful фото of her and Scrooge. She wondered who was behind those photos, and would they ever be able to find out whom.

Scrooge also could not sleep that night. He tried counting his money to keep his mind off the problems, but even that didn’t help. He worried what those horrible фото of him and Minnie would do to his business. And he felt especially bad that Minnie had to be included in those photos, which were obviously intended to make him look bad.

The Далее день Webby and Minnie were both scheduled for manicure and pedicure appointments, at the Lucky утка Spa. While they were having their nails done Scrooge sat out in the waiting room of the spa. He glanced over at the таблица with the magazines and saw a picture of him with Minnie holding hands on the front of one of the gossip magazines. After staring in disgust for a few секунды and reading, Scrooge McDuck has got himself a classy lassie; he quickly turned it over hoping no one would see it.


Unbeknown to Scrooge, Minnie and Webby, Laura and Victoria were coming to the Lucky утка Spa too.
“But why not mom?!” Vicky whined, in the car on the way to the spa, “Why can’t I get my nails painted black?!”

“Vicky!” Laura groaned, “We’ve gone over this a million times! Ты cannot have Ты nail painted black, или any other wild color, for the pageant because the judges I hired are very traditional and old fashion; and Ты would lose points from them if your nails were painted that way.”

They continued to argue in till they pulled in to the parking lot of spa. “Vicky Ты are not getting nails painted black and that is finally!” Laura snapped as she got out of the car.

But Victoria did not reply because she had noticed Scrooge’s limousine was also in the parking lot, “Mom, Webby must here too!” she yelled.

“What in the heck are Ты talking about, why would she be here?” Laura yelled back

“Isn’t that her rich uncle’s limo?” Vicky said, pointing at the limousine.

Laura and turned a saw the limo, “Drat!” she whispered then she snickered said, “You run along and get your nails done Vicky. Tell them to Отменить my appointment.”

“Um…okay,” Vicky said, “Why do Ты wanna cancel?”

“I need to have a little talk with Mr. McDuck. Now go in или you’ll be late.” Laura replied.

Vicky shrugged, and went in the spa. Laura сказал(-а) to herself, “Well, apparently those фото didn’t make McDuck quit. I was sure that a man, as business and money obsessed as him, would be much еще concerned with clearing his name; rather than continuing to help his bratty niece win a pageant. Looks like I’ll have to step up my game.” Then she walked over to the limousine and took her key out of her purse.

When Laura entered the spa she immediately saw Scrooge sitting on the диван, мягкий уголок Чтение a business magazine. “Why hello Mr. McDuck. Fancy meeting Ты here.” She called.

Scrooge looked up from the magazine he was Чтение and said, “Oh hello, Laura. I thought saw your daughter, Victoria, come in a moment ago.”

Without responding Laura sat down on the диван, мягкий уголок Далее to him, pick up the gossip magazine, and turned to Статья about Scrooge. He cringed, and tried to ignore what she was doing. After Чтение the Статья Laura exclaimed, “Why Mr. McDuck, I had no idea Ты were so close to Webbigail’s coach!”

“We’re not.” Scrooge grumbled still trying to ignore her.

“Oh…so you’re saying this is all a lie and Ты don’t Любовь Minnie?” Laura said

“Well… I Любовь her as a friend… but in the romantic sense, no.” Scrooge answered

“I don’t understand exactly what Ты mean by that.” She сказал(-а) trying to sound confused.

“I don’t know how much еще plainly I could put it.” Scrooge mumbled, “I Любовь Minnie as a friend, but not as a girlfriend.”

“Well do Ты think she also loves Ты that way, as friend but not in romantic way?”

“I don’t see how that is any of your concern.” He replied.

She giggled, “Oh, I guess these Статьи have just made me curious. Tell me if Ты had to choose between loosing Minnie или loosing all your money which would choose?”

He sighed, “I’d choose Minnie of course. After all I believe any friendship is much еще valuable than money.” Then pretended to read the magazine, hoping she would leave him alone.

“Well… Do Ты think Minnie shares those feelings?” Laura asked curiously.

Scrooge turned to her, glared and сказал(-а) coldly, “Listen Laura, as I сказал(-а) before, Minnie and my relationship is no concern of yours. I would appreciate it if Ты mind your own business” Then he got up and walked out the door.

“Oh. Mr. McDuck I didn’t mean offend you. I just was curious about those Статья about Ты and Minnie.” She called after him.

Meanwhile in the back room of the spa Minnie was having a wonderful relaxing time, she had almost forgotten the incident with Mickey yesterday. Webby was also enjoying the spa experience, in till she saw Vicky. “Uh-oh… Miss Minnie, it’s Victoria.” She whispered.

“Oh… don’t worry about her, honey. She’s not going to cause any problems here.”

As soon as Vicky spotted them, much to Webby’s dismay, she came and sat down Далее to them. “Hey Webby. Who’s your friend?” Victoria said

“Um…Hi Victoria” Webby сказал(-а) nervously, “This is Miss Minnie, she’s my coach.”

“Coach?” Vicky replied, “I thought she was like your rich uncle’s girlfriend.”

“Um… no Victoria” Minnie сказал(-а) trying to sound sweet, “Uncle Scrooge and I are just friends. I know there are a lot of stories that say I’m his girlfriend but they’re not true. Okay?”

“ Pfft… Whatever.” Victoria replied

Then Minnie realized that Vicky was all by herself, “Um… Victoria where’s your mommy? She didn’t just leave here by yourself did she?”

“Nope.” Vicky answered, “She’s out in the waiting room talking to Webby’s uncle. Which I thought was weird, since she hates rich people, and usually tries to avoid them. Says they’re all evil.”

Angered at this Webby jumped up and yelled, “My Uncle Scrooge is not evil!”

“Calm down Webby. Use your indoor voice” Minnie said. Then she asked, “Why on Earth does your mother think all wealthy people are evil?”

Vicky shrugged and said, “Says they ruined her dreams of being pageant Queen as a kid.”

“Well, I’m sure if she got to know Uncle Scrooge she would learn that he’s a very nice man.” Minnie replied.

“Pfft…I find that hard to believe.” Vicky said

When Scrooge stepped out of the spa building and into the parking lot, he pulled his cell phone out and called Duckworth. “Bring the limo around, and take me somewhere while the lassies finish their appointment. I don not care where. I just cannot stand being in there another second.”

Duckworth replied, less then enthusiastically, “Um… Yes sir. But it appears that during the brief moment I was absent someone came and keyed the limousine.”