Wyatt glanced down at his phone and swiped down the notification panel. He found that RoyalRose had replied to his message but her response was a little confusing. If the money he sent was enough then what was there to think about?
He was still a little annoyed by his loss of self-control today and he was not in the mood to respond to her. He locked his phone and glanced out the window with a distant gaze.
The bodyguard suddenly said, "Sir... the madam is saying you aren't responding to her messages. She said you should come to the boutique on Third Street. She said she needs help with something."
Wyatt didn't feel like going anywhere but home. The only problem was that if he refused his mother's request he won't be able to hear the word of it. It was better to suffer for an hour for a lifetime of peace.
"En," he replied before rubbing his temple feeling a headache coming on.
***
Meanwhile, Kilin nervously followed her aunt Scarlet and Luna into an opulent high-end boutique. The delicate scent of perfume mingled with the soft music playing in the background, creating an atmosphere of luxury.
As they entered, Kilin couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. She didn't think this was the type of place that she should be considering her shallow pockets but her aunt knew that already.
Scarlet's voice held a hint of superiority as she addressed the store attendant, "We need two dresses for a very special occasion, so I expect nothing but the best." The attendant nodded, her eyes discreetly darting between Kilin and Luna, sensing the tension in the air.
Luna, the embodiment of elegance, effortlessly glided through the racks of designer dresses, her slender fingers brushing over the luxurious fabrics. Kilin, on the other hand, felt like a fish out of water, clumsily navigating through the sea of expensive attire. The most expensive things she had ever worn were her cosplay outfits and even then they were a tiny fraction of what was in this store.
Scarlet picked dresses for them to try on but dress after dress, Kilin's confidence plummeted. The colour, shape and material all seemed to accentuate all her flaws, highlighting her insecurities. Meanwhile, Luna's beauty effortlessly radiated from every dress she slipped into, turning heads and garnering compliments from both the store attendant and other customers.
Kilin was beginning to question her mother's motives for bringing her here. If she wanted to shatter her confidence then she had won.
Feeling defeated and ready to wear whatever her aunt picked for her, Kilin's eyes welled up as she struggled to zip up a particularly ill-fitting dress. She didn't even know what this so-called event was so why should she care what she looked like?
It was then that the curtain of her changing room was opened slightly. She felt something behind her back thus she turned sharply only to tremble in fright. She was so scared she almost toppled over.
A soft chuckle escaped the woman's throat before apologising, "I am so sorry. I really didn't mean to scare you," she said and Kilin showed a quivering smile trying to calm her nerves. For a moment she was entranced by the woman in front of her. She was the most beautiful woman Kilin had ever seen.
Regal and graceful, the woman possessed an ethereal beauty that momentarily took Kilin's breath away. Cascading down her shoulders were luscious curls, each one bouncing with each movement. Her flawless skin seemed to emanate a natural radiance, and her eyes exuded a captivating serenity.
In awe of this goddess-like figure, Kilin couldn't help but stare. She was the very embodiment of a stunning game character come to life.
"You know it's rude to stare," she said teasing her and Kilin finally snapped out of it. Her head lowered as she stammered,
"I I... I am sorry. It's just that you are so beautiful," vowing to find this woman's Weibo or Instagram so she could follow her.
Mrs Ainsworth was touched by her compliment. This was the very reason she wanted to have a daughter. Girls were more sensitive and would say nice things but she almost died having her son so she didn't try again for a girl. Besides she loved her son so much and was grateful to have him.
"Why thank you, you are beautiful too," she said but Kilin thought she was being polite. What she was looking at in the mirror wasn't too pleasing.
"I don't feel like it," whispered Kilin. Sensing the young lady's distress she paused and observed the scene unfolding before her.
"Then let me help you," she said her voice laced with warmth. Kilin swiftly zipped up the dress she had tried on and followed her towards the racks. Maira selected a few exquisite dresses that she believed would suit Kilin's unique beauty while advising her, "Remember fashion is not a one size fits all. It is after all a form of self-expression, a way to share your unique essence with the world," said Maira her eyes kind.
It so happened that it was at this very moment that Mrs Branson came back with Luna after she went to pick a few more dresses for them to try on. When she saw who was standing beside Kilin she almost fainted.
In their social circles, Maira Ainsworth was at the centre of attention. Her presence commanded the room effortlessly, her every move exuding an air of confidence and grace.
The Ainsworth family had immense wealth, their fortune surpassing even that of the esteemed Branson family. She was the type who could save bankrupt corporations with the snap of her finger so everyone wanted to be in her good graces and befriend her. Women envied her, men coveted her, mothers wanted to marry off their daughters to her son and those who didn't have daughters wanted to be friends with her. But she was a rare gemstone, coveted by all who sought to bask in her radiance.
"Mrs Ainsworth," she called out and Maira turned to look at her with a polite yet distant smile. She had seen this woman's face before but Maira couldn't recall her name.
Scarlet could tell that she didn't remember her name but she wasn't offended at all. If she was in Maira's position she probably wouldn't remember herself as well.
"It's Mrs Branson," she said and Maira finally recalled Branson Enterprises because of the civil lawsuits they were currently settling.
"Oh, lovely to see you again," she said but her tone didn't match her words.
Wyatt who was about to step into the boutique immediately made a U-turn when he saw his mother standing there with Kilin, Luna and some other woman. Unwilling to be in the middle of whatever that was he turned back retreating to safety.
What were the odds though that Kilin would be in the very same boutique with his mother? He was suddenly suspecting that she had found his mother to complain about the incident. If she did then he would never hear the end of it.
"... I was just picking clothes for her. She seemed inexperienced in these things so I was just giving her some advice," said Maira before telling Kilin to try those on.
Scarlet who had picked the clothes for her, "..."