The smile on Olivia's face remained. Yet something inside her tightened. The gown she had wanted was Clara's now. And somehow, Anne had been the one who had chosen it for her.
Olivia lowered her gaze for a moment before looking back at Anne. There was something about the way everyone in the store looked at her.
The respect.
The familiarity.
The confidence.
Anne hadn't simply returned to the store. She belonged here. And Olivia couldn't help wondering how much more there was to Anne's life that she knew nothing about.
Then she suddenly understood. Anne hadn't randomly allowed Clara to access the premium collection. The gown had been selected for her. Clara wasn't simply another customer.
She was someone Anne personally knew. Someone Anne valued. Olivia's expression remained pleasant, but another feeling slowly began to grow inside her.
Everyone seems to have a place in Anne's world.
Her gaze moved around the store. The employees respected Anne. Madison was proud of her and Eva clearly cared about her. Clara was treated like someone special.
And Olivia...
For the first time, Olivia wondered where exactly she stood in Anne's world.
Anne turned back toward her "You chose a dress already?"
Olivia nodded "Yes. I was actually looking at the pink gown earlier."
She glanced toward Clara "But Clara got it first."
Anne looked at Clara and smiled "That gown was already reserved for her."
Olivia nodded "I understand."
Anne studied her for a moment before smiling "If you like that style, I can have one made for you in another color."
Olivia looked at her in surprise "You would?"
"Of course." Anne's tone was completely sincere. "It's my store. I can have the design customized for you."
Olivia stared at her. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond "Thank you, Sister."
Anne smiled "You're welcome."
Olivia returned the smile, but something inside her felt strangely unsettled. She had expected Anne to be cold. She had expected her to refuse. Instead, Anne had offered to make another gown for her without hesitation.
Somehow, that kindness made Olivia even more uncomfortable. Across the room, Eva watched the exchange carefully. She noticed the way Olivia looked at Anne and she noticed something else.
Olivia's smile never quite reached her eyes. Before Olivia could say anything else, Clara stepped forward, admiring the gown she was wearing.
"Anne, this gown is so beautiful. Where did you get the inspiration for it?"
Anne looked at the pink gown for a moment. Then her expression became thoughtful "I actually designed it when I was a teenager."
Clara looked at her with curiosity "Really?"
Anne nodded "I designed it for the engagement I dreamed about when I was younger. Back then, I thought I would wear it for my own engagement someday."
Her voice was calm, but there was something distant in her eyes. She didn't explain any further.
Instead, she looked at Clara and smiled "But I thought someone else would have more use for it than I would."
Clara's face immediately brightened "Then thank you for giving it to me! It's so beautiful. I love it."
She happily held Anne's hand. Anne smiled warmly "Of course. Anything for you."
Clara smiled, for a moment, Anne looked genuinely happy. "I'll be in my office for a while. Let me know when you're done with your shopping."
Then she turned toward the manager glanced at the reports in the manager's hands "I need to review the reports from the new collection."
""Of course, Miss Anne. Everything is ready in your office."
Anne nodded and started walking toward the private office. Just as she was about to leave, Madison called after her.
"Anne."
Anne turned around "Yes, Mom?"
Madison smiled "We'll wait for you. After you're done, we can have lunch together."
Anne hesitated briefly "I'm sorry, Mom, but I have a lunch meeting later with Clara."
She looked at the others. "We can make plans another time."
Madison paused for a moment and than smiled "Of course."
Anne gave her mother a small smile before walking toward the private office.
Olivia watched her disappear behind the doors. Her expression slowly changed.
She looked at Clara, who was still admiring herself in the pink gown. Then she looked toward the office where Anne had disappeared. A thought quietly entered her mind.
Anne has everything.
But this time, another thought followed.
Why didn't she react to my engagement with Jason?
Olivia's eyes narrowed slightly.
Does she really not care about him anymore?
Across the store, Eva noticed Olivia's expression and once again, her suspicion deepened.
Meanwhile, Clara's friends approached her. Rose looked at Clara with wide eyes.
"Clara, you never told us that you're friends with Anne! How could you hide something this important from us? You know I'm such a huge fan of hers!"
Jenny nodded excitedly beside her "Me too! Wait... she's actually your friend?"
Clara looked at them, slightly confused "Didn't I tell you that I have a best friend who is the best person in the whole world?"
Rose and Jenny exchanged a look "But didn't you say your best friend's name was Sweet Bella?" Jenny asked.
Clara suddenly laughed "Anne is Sweet Bella, and Sweet Bella is Anne. You two never officially met her, so you didn't know."
Rose's eyes widened "You're saying that you're best friends with the Anne? The famous fashion designer and CEO of Angel?"
Clara nodded. Rose looked toward the office with excitement "I want to meet her! I want her autograph. Can you please ask her to meet us once?"
Clara laughed "Of course you can meet her. But listen, she's my best friend. I know she's famous, but she doesn't really like the spotlight that much."
She pointed a warning finger at them "So you'll have to tone down the fangirl behavior when you're around her."
Rose placed a hand over her heart dramatically "Really? We can meet her?"
Jenny smiled excitedly "Don't worry. We just want to meet her once. We won't disturb her."
Clara shook her head, amused "You two are unbelievable."