She was just out to buy so paintbrushes and colors, and still managed to bump into these two pests.
Fiona Vaughn wore a couture smoky rose-colored gown, her chestnut hair styled in big waves, a few playful wisps hanging by her brow—a hint of fresh innocence beneath her seductive charm.
Chloe Alden, who’d been "sick" for days and skipping classes at Stellerton University, was at her side now, dressed as provocatively as ever: batwing sleeves ending almost at her shoulders, denim hotpants barely covering her ass.
A shop assistant eagerly introduced the dresses to them, while Fiona smiled and nodded from ti to ti, seeming polite and demure.
"Miss Fiona, our wedding dresses are absolutely worth it. You’ve looked around but haven’t tried any—is there sothing you’re dissatisfied with?"
Fiona curled her lips sweetly.
"Actually, my fiancé is parking nearby. I want to wait for him to look together."
Chloe grinned, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Fiona, you’re a national goddess! Doesn’t matter which wedding dress you pick, you’ll look amazing!"
"I think that embroidered rose gown up front is perfect. Try it on now! When Tyson cos back from parking, he’ll be so dazzled he won’t know what hit him!"
"You’re such a smooth talker."
...
Cecilia Vaughn heard Fiona and Chloe’s conversation, her heart steadily sinking.
So, Chloe was helping Fiona pick out wedding dresses and gowns—for her upcoming engagent banquet.
And Tyson Law was parking nearby...
Once upon a ti, she and Tyson Law had talked marriage, too. She’d just turned eighteen, barely wrapped up college entrance exams, both of them admitted to Stellerton University—the most envied golden couple in their class.
Back then Cecilia wanted Tyson to help her pick out her engagent dress and wedding gown, but he dodged, said his dad was pushing him to learn how to manage the Law Family’s enterprise, didn’t have ti.
Cecilia was disappointed, but Tyson soon comforted her, said he’d already ordered a custom gown, so she didn’t think much more of it.
Who could have guessed, three years later it would be Fiona engaged to Tyson, and he’d happily accompany her to pick out dresses.
...
Rembering those tis, a sense of loss flashed in Cecilia’s almond eyes. Soone who doesn’t love you will never spare you a second, no matter when.
How blind had she been—to naively believe he loved her deeply?
Cecilia gave a self-mocking laugh, thinking how stupid she used to be.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, Chloe, hearing footsteps, looked over in this direction.
Chloe froze instantly!
In a heartbeat, her pretty face twisted, eyes burning as she stared at Cecilia.
"Well, well. No wonder I slled sothing filthy from across the store!"
"Turns out there’s a wild fox hiding here, dirtying up the air!"
Fiona heard Chloe’s angry shout and followed her gaze; her gentle features stiffened ever so slightly.
Soon after, her eyes lit up with surprise.
"Sis... Are you here to pick out a wedding dress, too?"
...
Cecilia coolly glanced at Fiona, ignored her, eyes full of mocking amusent as she looked at Chloe.
"Eldest Miss Alden, it seems your nose doesn’t work so well, but your mouth sure does."
"Let see... Weren’t you just released from lockup? Want to get arrested for slander a second ti?!"
...
Cecilia’s sarcasm made Chloe’s expression shift again and again, her face practically a spilled paint palette.
She never wanted to taste jail again!
No one beat her or cursed her, but she’d been locked in a quiet room for three days—pitch dark, no sunlight!
Other than soone bringing food, no one spoke a word to her. She almost thought she’d go mad, nightmares every single night!
That was ntal torture—way worse than any physical terror!
No matter what, she’d never do it again!
Finally she’d been let out, only for her dad, Victor Alden, to slap her across the face, saying they’d spent three million just to get her out!
That slap left Chloe stunned!
Her face stayed swollen for ages, couldn’t show it to anyone. Only today did she finally co out to help Fiona pick dresses, just to vent a bit!
What stung Chloe most: all that money had ended up in Cecilia’s bank account!
...
The more Chloe thought about it, the angrier she got, face dark as thunder, speaking through gritted teeth.
"Cecilia Vaughn! You’ve got so nerve!"
"How dare you—a venomous bitch like you—demand three million from my family!"
...
Cecilia heard this and stayed unfazed.
"Miss Alden, I just blurted out the three million over the phone, never expected my dad would take it seriously, and your father would comply so easily."
The most infuriating opponent is soone like Cecilia—who never takes you seriously at all!
Chloe could barely catch her breath.
"You! If that’s the case, give the money back!—"
Cecilia was still smiling sweetly.
"Oh, I did receive the money. But now I’m wondering if I should report the Alden Family for suspicious fortune."
"After all, Miss Alden’s father is Stellerton’s top official, but their house just oozes wealth. A humble citizen like is really scared, you know."
...
Chloe’s face instantly turned bright red!
"You’re lying! My mom’s the heiress of a big family! Her listed companies rake in profits—you have no right to talk about my dad’s business!"
Stellerton elections were coming up. If Cecilia muddied the waters now, her dad’s rivals would definitely spin it hard.
If he couldn’t keep his post, her dad would absolutely resent her!
...
Fiona, who had been silent, finally stepped forward to back Chloe up.
"Sis, how can you slander Chloe’s father for no reason? It was all a misunderstanding—wouldn’t it be better to be forgiving?"
Misunderstanding? Forgiving?
Cecilia’s lips curled in a cold smile. Fiona really was the queen of fake innocence, so generous on soone else’s behalf—thinks she’s The Virgin Mary?
Fiona saw Cecilia quiet, feigned a deeply concerned smile.
"Sis, did you co to look at wedding dresses yourself?"
"Last ti I heard soone call you Young Madam, but nobody’s here with you?"
"Choosing a wedding dress is a huge deal, Sis. Don’t worry that Tyson’s not here—he’s just parking, he’ll be back soon. He’s got so much patience, says he wants to help pick whatever suits my style best."
...
Fiona sounded so gentle, but every word jabbed right into Cecilia’s spine.
Three years ago, no one accompanied her to pick her engagent dress. Three years later, with a new man—even lonelier than before.
Chloe scoffed.
"Young Madam, my ass—you don’t even have a diamond ring on your finger!"
"If you ask , Cecilia Vaughn’s just a canary—so old man’s kept mistress!"
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