At the Angel Company
On the top floor of Angel Company, the staff were busy with their usual work.
The atmosphere was calm until the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Secretary Megan quickly made her way toward the CEO's cabin. She stopped outside the door, took a breath, and composed herself before knocking.
"Come in." The voice from inside was soft but carried a quiet authority.
Megan opened the door. "Ma'am, you just received a call from Miss Clara."
Anne was sitting behind her desk with her back toward Megan. She was working on a sketching pad while occasionally glancing at the breathtaking view of the city through the large window behind her.
Anne turned around "Okay. Did she leave a message?"
"She asked you to join her at Imperial City Mall for her birthday shopping."
Anne raised an eyebrow "Didn't you tell her that I'm busy right now? Besides, don't we have a meeting scheduled with her in a few hours?"
Megan nodded "Yes, ma'am. You do have a meeting with her today. But she asked you to join her at the mall so that you could discuss everything there and have the meeting afterward."
Anne sighed softly "Where does she want to meet me?"
"She's waiting for you at our store in Imperial City Mall."
Anne looked at the sketch she had just finished and carefully placed it aside. For a moment, she considered returning to work. Then a small smile appeared on her face.
"Fine. Let's go. Otherwise, that girl will start complaining like a child."
Megan couldn't help but smile. Anne rarely changed her schedule for anyone.
But Clara was different. Clara had been Anne's best friend since college. They had met at the same fashion institute and quickly became close. Both had dreamed of building careers in fashion, and they had supported each other throughout their studies.
Over the years, Clara had become one of the few people who could see the softer side of Anne.
Anne wasn't particularly expressive with most people. She rarely talked about her feelings and usually kept her problems to herself. But with Clara, she was different.
Clara knew almost everything about Anne. She knew when Anne was upset even when she said nothing. She knew when Anne was pretending to be fine. And more importantly, she had always been protective of her.
Their friendship had become even stronger after Clara's elder brother died in a car accident.
After his death, Clara's father asked her to become more involved in the family business. As the only remaining heir, Clara eventually became the heiress of the Whitmore Group.
Despite her new responsibilities, she never abandoned her friendship with Anne. Clara had also never been particularly fond of Anne's family. She had noticed over the years that Anne rarely received the love and support she deserved from them.
As far as Clara was concerned, Anne's father, Aaron, had been one of the few people in the family who genuinely cared about her.
That was one of the reasons Clara had always been protective of Anne.
Megan looked at Anne. "Should I reschedule your other appointments?"
"No. I'll handle them later" Anne stood up and picked up her handbag.
"Call Daniel and tell him we're leaving."
"Yes, ma'am." Megan nodded and quickly stepped outside.
A few minutes later, Anne left her office. Daniel, the head of security, was already waiting downstairs. Anne walked toward the waiting car with Megan and Daniel following behind her.
Before getting into the car, Anne glanced at her phone. She saw another message from Clara.
Where are you? I'm waiting!
Anne smiled and shook her head. "Impatient as always."
Megan smiled. "She must really want you there."
"She always does." Anne got into the car.
As the vehicle pulled away from Angel Company, she looked out of the window at the city passing by. She had no idea that by the time she reached Imperial City Mall, several people from her past would be waiting inside her store.
And she certainly didn't know that one of them was someone she had every reason to be wary of. For now, Anne simply looked forward to seeing her best friend.
Meanwhile, at Angel by Anne, Clara was waiting.
***
At the Mall
A few minutes later, Olivia returned wearing the dress. She stepped onto the small platform in front of the mirror.
Sophie immediately stood up "Baby, you look so beautiful in that dress. It suits you perfectly."
Madison smiled proudly "Yes, Olivia. It looks as though it was made just for you."
Eva nodded in agreement "It really does suit you."
Olivia looked at herself in the mirror. For a moment, even she was surprised. The dress was elegant and beautiful. She had been determined to dislike anything that wasn't the pink gown, but she couldn't deny that this one looked good on her.
Still, something felt missing.
Her eyes drifted toward the glass case across the room.
It still isn't that one.
Before she could dwell on the thought, a loud, excited voice came from the premium section.
"Wow, Clara! You look so beautiful!" Olivia turned toward the voice. Rose stood beside Clara, staring at her in admiration.
"Yes, Clara. You look absolutely stunning in that gown," Jenny added.
Clara stood in front of the mirror wearing the pink gown. The fitted corset shimmered beneath the store lights, while the flowing princess-style skirt gave her an elegant and regal appearance.
Clara turned slightly from side to side, admiring herself in the mirror "I know, right? This dress looks perfect on me." She smiled brightly. "I absolutely love it."
Olivia stared at her. For a moment, she forgot about the dress she was wearing. Her eyes remained fixed on the pink gown. The same gown she had wanted. The same gown she had been told she couldn't even try. And now Clara was wearing it.
Olivia forced a smile. "It does look beautiful on you." But her fingers slowly tightened around the fabric of her own dress.