Corrine acknowledged with a nod and ascended the spiral staircase straight to Karina’s office.
Within the cozy room, an elegantly dressed woman leisurely enjoyed her coffee on the couch.
“Ah, you’ve arrived,” Karina exclaimed, a look of relief washing over her as she saw Corrine. She approached Corrine and introduced her to the woman on the couch, saying, “This is Corrine Holland, our chief designer, and this is Fatima Seymour.”
The Seymour family was among the top four influential families in Lyhaton.
“Hello,” Corrine said warmly, offering her hand.
Once introductions were done, they settled into a deep discussion about wedding dress designs. As Fatima outlined her vision, Corrine absorbed every detail, jotting down notes before taking Fatima’s measurements.
“We’ll prepare the initial sketches and have them ready for your review within a week. Feel free to request any adjustments,” Corrine assured her.
Fatima’s face lit up.
“That sounds wonderful, Miss Holland. Thank you.”
After bidding Fatima goodbye, Karina and Corrine made their way back to the office. No sooner had they seated themselves than Ivy appeared at the door, giving Corrine a nod before addressing Karina.
“There’s a Miss Burgess downstairs asking for you.”
“Miss Burgess?” Karina’s voice chilled slightly at the mention of the name. The mention of the Burgess family stirred old resentment, a reminder of Leah’s scheming nature.
Setting her coffee aside, Karina said to Corrine, “I’ll be right back.”
Descending the stairs, she found Leah and Rita waiting. A cold smile formed on Karina’s lips. It seemed fate delighted in reuniting enemies.
Memories of Leah’s spiteful act against her cherished car came flooding back. Although Corrine had replaced it swiftly, the grudge lingered.
With Leah now on her doorstep, Karina was ready to deal with this woman.
Downstairs, Leah and Rita were marveling at the wedding dresses displayed behind the glimmering glass cases. Though every gown was a shade of pristine white, each carried its own charm, captivating anyone who laid eyes on them.
Rita, practically bursting with excitement, tugged Leah’s arm and steered her toward a particular dress.
“Leah, look at this one! You’d be the picture-perfect bride in it!”
The dress was crafted from lustrous satin, its mermaid silhouette elegantly contouring the mannequin’s frame. A daring back cut added just the right touch of allure, while a bow cinched at the waist, bringing a delicate, sophisticated balance.
Leah’s gaze lingered on the gown, her eyes shimmering with admiration.
“It really is stunning,” she murmured softly
Next Saturday marked Farris’ eightieth birthday, the day Leah planned to announce her engagement to Bruce. Wearing this dress would be a dream-she could already picture herself as the evening’s centerpiece, effortlessly stealing the spotlight.
“Redamancy’s dresses are one of a kind, but they aren’t for just anyone to wear!” The sharp comment sliced through the quiet awe, pulling Leah’s and Rita’s attention upward.
Their eyes landed on Karina. The woman exuded a cool, imperious aura that made her impossible to overlook.
Leah and Rita exchanged brief glances, momentarily startled. Rita hadn’t met Karina before, so her expression betrayed a mix of curiosity and wariness. Leah, on the other hand, had met Karina once but didn’t seem to recognize her immediately.
Behind Karina stood Ivy, her posture hesitant, as if she were caught between worlds. Leah noticed her and offered a knowing smile, her voice gentle as always.
“May I try on this dress?”
“You absolutely may not.” Karina leaned lazily against the staircase, her arms crossed. Her red lips curled into a faint smirk, but her eyes, as sharp as shattered glass, swept over Leah with clear disdain.
“A dress like this isn’t meant for someone like you.”
Ivy shifted uncomfortably beside Karina, her expression flickering with an unspoken apology. She seemed unsure of the context but clearly sensed Karina’s hostility. Feeling a pang of sympathy for Leah, Ivy turned away quietly and slipped out of sight.
Leah’s face tightened, her warm demeanor replaced by icy composure.
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
Rita wasn’t as measured.
“We’re here as paying customers! It’s not like we’re asking for charity. What gives you the right to refuse us?” she snapped, glaring at Karina.
Karina cast a languid glance at her freshly manicured nails, her tone dripping with nonchalance.
“I’m the owner of this boutique. My store, my rules. And, unfortunately for you, seeing the two of you has put me in a foul mood.”
“You’re just looking for trouble!” Rita shot back, her voice rising.
Karina’s smile widened, a smug glint in her eyes.
“Yes, I am. And what are you going to do about it?”
Her brazen response sent a wave of indignation washing over Leah. She didn’t understand why this woman had such a vendetta against her, but that dress was something she couldn’t simply walk away from.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Leah swallowed her anger and spoke with measured calm.
“The truth is, I’m getting engaged to my long-time boyfriend next Saturday. This dress would mean a lot to me. I’m willing to pay any price for it.”
Karina’s eyes darkened at Leah’s plea, her smile hardening into something colder. It was as though she were savoring some private vindication.
With a derisive snort, Karina retorted, “Redamancy stands for blessing unions built on love, not ones tainted with betrayal. Letting you wear this dress would tarnish the name of my store.”
The word betrayal landed like a slap. Leah flinched, her composure cracking under the weight of the accusation.
Even if she had been slow to grasp the animosity earlier, Karina’s words now left no room for doubt-this wasn’t a misunderstanding.
As Karina turned on her heel and began to walk away, Leah’s voice rang out, laced with fury and humiliation.
“Miss, I’ve done nothing to provoke you. I came here sincerely, intending to buy a dress. Yet you choose to humiliate me like this. Don’t you think that’s going too far?”
Karina stopped halfway up the stairs, her gaze sharp as she turned to face Leah below.
“Have you really never meddled in someone else’s relationship? Never gone after another woman’s fiance? I’m just stating facts. How is that humiliating you?” Her tone was as cool as her measured steps.
“You…” Leah’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her finger trembling as she pointed at Karina, her anger choking her words.
At that moment, the door swung open, and Bruce strode in, his presence commanding the room.
“What’s taking so long to decide?” His voice carried a hint of impatience.
“Bruce, this woman is too much!” Rita’s voice rang out, shrill and indignant. As if she’d found a lifeline, she rushed to his side, exaggerating Karina’s words.
“She insulted Leah! You’ve got to do something!”
Bruce frowned deeply, his eyes narrowing as they landed on Karina.
“Why is it you again?” His tone was laced with irritation.
“Always a pleasure, Mr. Ashton,” Karina replied, her lips curving into a taunting smile. The defiance in her gaze was unmistakable.
Leah’s eyes flickered between Bruce and Karina, suspicion creeping into her voice. Suddenly, she recalled seeing this woman in Corrine’s ward the other day. She was the former investor who had pulled her investment from Ashton Group.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.