Lizzie then inquired if it was okay for her two friends to join them. Lucien readily agreed, knowing the girls were close and that it would likely be a fun ride, even if he ended up carrying most of the load. He didn't mind at all; it was Lizzie who had asked, and he wouldn't say no to her.
Once they were all settled in the car, Lucien drove back to the shopping district. The return trip was quicker, and they soon arrived at the same parking lot where he had parked earlier.
As Lucien turned off the engine, the girls were already bubbling with excitement. Lizzie and her two best friends exchanged animated whispers and plans, their laughter filling the car. They were clearly eager to dive into the shopping spree.
The girls eagerly spilled out of the car and huddled together before setting off in the direction of a nearby store. Lucien, with a fond smile, watched their youthful enthusiasm as they practically skipped away. However, he noticed that Lizzie was occasionally glancing over her shoulder, making sure he was keeping up.
As Lucien and the girls ventured further into the shopping district, he couldn't help but notice his phone vibrating, alerting him to incoming messages. With a curious glance, he picked up his phone to find several notifications from his bank.
Subject: Transaction Confirmation - $15,725,000 Deposit
Dear Mr. Lucien Wilson,
We confirm a recent deposit of $15,725,000 into your account with AscendantWealth Bank.
Best Regards,
LuxeUniverse Couture
AscendantWealth Bank
Subject: Transaction Confirmation - $129,500 Deposit
Dear Mr. Lucien Wilson,
We confirm a recent deposit of $129,500 into your account with AscendantWealth Bank.
Best Regards,
Bloom & Flourish Designs
AscendantWealth Bank
Subject: Transaction Confirmation - $1,053,000 Deposit
Dear Mr. Lucien Wilson,
We confirm a recent deposit of $1,053,000 into your account with AscendantWealth Bank.
Best Regards,
Echelon Research Institute
AscendantWealth Bank
Subject: Transaction Confirmation - $36,500 Deposit
Dear Mr. Lucien Wilson,
We confirm a recent deposit of $36,500 into your account with AscendantWealth Bank.
Best Regards,
NovaTech Labs
AscendantWealth Bank
Lucien wasn't taken by surprise by the messages; he had anticipated them. After receiving the documents, he took the initiative to communicate with the managers of the acquired companies. He provided them with instructions to increase the salaries of all the employees, believing that the initial salary was simply too low. As a result, the actual amounts deposited into his account would have been even higher than what the messages indicated. Lucien's decision was driven by a desire to ensure that his employees were fairly compensated for their hard work and dedication to the companies he now owned.
Glancing back towards Lizzie, he noticed her giving him an impatient look. She couldn't contain her excitement about their upcoming shopping adventure and playfully called out to him, "Come on, Lucien, you're falling behind! We've got a shopping adventure ahead!"
Lucien chuckled at her playful urgency. He knew she meant what she said; otherwise, she might have come back to drag him along. Not wanting to keep the girls waiting, he picked up his pace, matching their enthusiastic stride. The shopping trip was about to begin, and Lucien was ready to embrace the adventure with the young ladies.
The group arrived in front of a store named Primark and ventured inside. They browsed through the wide array of clothes, trying on different outfits until they each found one they liked. As they gathered their selections, Lucien approached the counter and informed the cashier that he would be covering the expenses for the three young ladies.
Maddy and Frankie were taken aback by the gesture; they hadn't expected Lucien to pay for them as well. Before they could voice their surprise, Lucien explained, "You are friends of Lizzie, so I will naturally also pay for you." He chuckled slightly, and both Maddy and Frankie exchanged astonished glances. The idea that they were having their clothes paid for simply because they were Lizzie's friends was unexpected and heartwarming.
Lizzie, beaming with happiness, appreciated her big brother's thoughtfulness. She felt a deep sense of importance and connection, knowing how much he cared for her and her friends.
The group continued to explore other stores, including high-end brands like Gucci, Prada, Valentino, New Look, and more. Lucien accumulated numerous shopping bags as he generously purchased items that his companions liked. He knew that Maddy and Frankie's families were financially comfortable and could easily pay for their own clothes, but because Lizzie had invited them, he decided to extend his generosity and treat them to a shopping spree as well.
As they reached the outskirts of the bustling shopping district, Lucien's keen eye caught sight of the Bloom & Flourish Designs shop. He turned to Lizzie and, with a gentle smile, mentioned that he had some quick business to attend to with the store's manager. He assured the young ladies that they had the choice to either continue their shopping adventure or wait for him in the lobby of the shop, making it clear that his visit wouldn't take much time.
Lizzie huddled with her friends for a quick discussion, and they collectively decided to wait in the cozy lobby. They settled into the seating area, excitedly chatting and sharing their shopping experiences while waiting for Lucien to return.
Approaching the counter, Lucien introduced himself to the clerk and calmly informed her that he would like to meet with the manager. The clerk's eyes widened slightly upon recognizing his name, but she efficiently summoned the manager, reassuring Lucien that she would be with him in a moment.
Lucien couldn't help but notice that the group of young ladies in the lobby might be in need of refreshments. He suggested to the clerk that someone could inquire if they desired anything to eat or drink. After all, shopping often works up an appetite.
Avery Martinez, the manager of Bloom & Flourish Designs, soon made her way over to Lucien. As she approached, he couldn't help but notice that she was slightly limping, likely due to an injury or ailment. Out of courtesy and concern, Lucien took a few steps toward her to meet her halfway, sparing her any unnecessary discomfort.
Avery appreciated the considerate gesture and extended her hand in greeting and introduced herself. Lucien responded with a warm and respectful handshake. Their interaction exuded professionalism and mutual respect, and it didn't go unnoticed by the young ladies in the lobby. The surprised glances they exchanged subtly hinted at their awe regarding the manager's demeanor when interacting with Lucien.
Lucien and Avery headed to her office, where he inquired about whether she had followed the instructions provided during their prior phone conversation. Avery confirmed that she had indeed carried out his directives, expressing her gratitude. Lucien downplayed her thanks and assured her that employee salaries would see an increase in the future.
Their conversation continued, touching on various topics and offering additional instructions. Lucien also mentioned that Isabella Sterling, the manager of another company under his ownership, would reach out to her soon. He explained his plan to transform Bloom & Flourish Designs into a branch store of LuxeUniverse Couture. Avery was taken aback at first but quickly grasped the rationale behind the decision, especially when she heard the name of the other prominent design firm. Her store would transition to a branch while retaining its identity—a favorable outcome.
"Okay, I'll be on the lookout for her call," Avery nodded, her professionalism unwavering.
Lucien concluded their discussion by informing her that he would return to Starcity in the near future. He promised to provide more details about his next visit as soon as he had them.
Out of genuine curiosity and concern, Lucien couldn't help but ask, "I don't mean to intrude or make you uncomfortable, but may I inquire why you're limping slightly?" His tone was gentle and caring, and he wanted to ensure that Avery was well and comfortable while also making it clear that he tried not to overstep any boundaries.
Avery looked at Lucien with a thoughtful expression, appreciating his genuine concern and understanding that he wasn't prying. With a slight, understanding smile, she replied, "I appreciate your consideration. I have a prosthetic leg due to a car accident some years back. It's been a part of me ever since, but it doesn't slow me down." She spoke with a sense of resilience and determination, as though she had embraced her circumstance and continued to move forward with strength.
Avery continued, her eyes lighting up with passion, "In fact, my experience led me to change my perspective on fashion. I realized that many clothing lines are not inclusive for people with disabilities, which inspired me to design in a more inclusive way. It's become a significant part of my work to ensure that everyone can enjoy stylish and comfortable clothing, regardless of their abilities." Her dedication to making fashion more inclusive shone through in her words, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact in the industry.
Lucien was genuinely pleased to see how Avery had embraced her situation and found a way to turn her experience into something positive, making a meaningful impact in the fashion industry. He expressed his gratitude for her openness and encouraged her to continue with her forward-thinking mindset, emphasizing that it could lead to significant opportunities and responsibilities in the future.
After this heartfelt conversation, Lucien excused himself, not wanting to keep Lizzie and her friends waiting any longer.
Upon rejoining the girls in the lobby, Lucien discovered them enjoying snacks and drinks. He informed them that he was finished, and they quickly wrapped up their snack break, heading out to continue their shopping adventure.
As they passed by the counter, Lucien offered the lady behind it a warm smile, expressing his thanks for providing refreshments. The gesture made her blush slightly; Lucien's natural handsomeness was amplified when he smiled. She quickly tried to conceal her reaction, muttering softly, "No problem, I'm glad I could help you." Her response was barely audible, a testament to the charm of Lucien's smile.
Lizzie and her friends were patiently waiting outside the shop, where Lucien found them standing. As he joined them, he realized that Lizzie's graduation was approaching and inquired, "Have you and your parents bought some clothes for the graduation tomorrow?"
Lizzie's smile turned somewhat complicated as she explained, "Yeah, but not really a formal dress, since they are too expensive, and mom and dad didn't want to spend the money on that when they could use it for my tuition fees later." Her words carried a mix of understanding and a longing to have a nice dress for the occasion, just like her peers.
Lucien noticed the complexity of Lizzie's expression and, with a warm smile, offered, "Do you want me to buy you one?" He could tell that Lizzie had a genuine desire for a better dress, despite her understanding of her family's financial situation.
Lizzie, still somewhat unsure, asked, "But they are so expensive. Are you sure?" She wanted to make sure that Lucien wasn't overextending himself or just trying to pamper her while risking his own financial well-being.
Lucien chuckled heartily, appreciating Lizzie's concern, and replied with a teasing yet confident tone, "Don't worry about money. I have more than enough to buy you a good dress. Let's go, I still have an appointment later, and don't want to come too late." His assurance put Lizzie at ease, and she followed him, excited about the prospect of getting a beautiful dress for her graduation.
Lucien, Lizzie, and her friends embarked on a quest to find a suitable shop that sold formal dresses. Their search led them to a boutique called Jovani, renowned for its elegant and formal evening dresses.