Sara was flipping through the booklet on the store's history. It was so bad that she sighed and tossed it away. Of course, in the eyes of the people watching her, the fake daughter was just being pretentious. What did a blockhead like her know about fashion?
"Sister!" A sweet voice sounded. Everyone saw a young lady in blue dress coming over. Her hair bounced along with her as she rushed over and when she smiled, two shallow dimples appeared making her look lovable. Everyone's mood immediately brightened up.
"Sister, do you not understand this?" She picked. up the abandoned book.
"Ehn." Sara replied in a daze.
The surrounding ladies snickered then I'll explain it to you, okay?" Tara spoke softly and gently began to explain the concept behind Clementine's fashion.
Everyone sighed. The original will always be the original, look at how noble she looked! Even without a formal education, she was able to grasp these things on her own. On the other hand, there was the tyrant daughter of their family. Her mother had flown in countless famous teachers to teach her various etiquettes and cultures, but each tutor had given up under two weeks. It had even become a game for people to bet on. How long would each new tutor for the Zhen daughter last? Thankfully, she had turned out to be a fake.
Sara took a glance at what she was explaining and looked away. Her mind was still reeling with this discovery. Was she really cured?
"Madam Wei is here!" Someone announced.
Everyone stood up in a rush. Madam Wei was the owner of the Clementine brand. She wasn't just a fashionista, she was also a business woman. She was the stylist of various city and country leaders. It was rumoured that the queen of country Z was her best friend and listened to her advice even on political matters. To many, she was a vital connection to have.
Madam Wei walked inside with a smile. She nodded as she admired her store's layouts. Today was the opening ceremony of her store and she had invited the trendsetters of various industries. There were actresses that knew a lot about fashion, models, actors, socialites, noble women... Even her elite customers that couldn't show their faces for security reasons had sent a representative.
Feeling proud, her eyes strayed past the ladies gathered who were looking at her with ingratiating smiles. Suddenly, she looked to one side and frowned.
A young girl on the sofa. With her legs crossed one over the other and her hands placed over her knees, she boasted a perfect image. She smiled and nodded gently at Madam Wei. Madam Wei remembered her; Tara, the young girl who had helped her gain inspiration after she had lost her motivation. She waved at her, but her eyes were glued to the girl sitting beside Tara. All she wore was a pair of jeans and a t-shirt but her beauty shone through. Her eyes were dazed aadt her red lips left hanging open. She seemed stunned. She sat there looking like a painting; beautiful, soul stirring, but stationary. Madam Wei frowned. This girl looked familiar, but her temperament was so moving.
She unconsciously moved in her direction. Her assistant hastily followed behind her.
Everyone saw her target and they snickered.
Look! Everyone is welcoming Madam Wei, they didn't expect that idiot to actual be in a daze. Looks like that dumb foolish daughter would be chased out today. They were extremely happy. Only Tara looked concerned.
She bit her lips as she stood up to receive the older woman.
"Madam Wei."
"Little Tara." The woman greeted, then before Tara could say a word, she addressed Sara.
"Little girl what's your name?
"Why should I tell you?" Sara reclined on the sofa and looked up. Her back eyes gleamed merrily, giving her a cheerful image.
Madam Wei was dazzled. So beautiful!
"Judging from your temperament, you seem like someone who knows a lot about fashion. Now tell me what do you think about my Queens collection?"
"Trash."
"The Flourishing theme?"
"Crap."
"The Bliss concept?"
"Total rubbish." Sara finally looked up at her. "Your featured works are a joke to me. Understand?"
Madam Wei's face darkened.
Behind her, the socialites giggled. This so called First Miss was still the same as always, stupid and arrogant!
Tara immediately moved forward. "Please don't be offended madam. This is my sister, she hasn't been to your store before so she probably doesn't understand the dexterity behind your works."
Sara smiled darkly. She had just discovered an interesting change in her body and was about to test it out when these two fools came over. She sneered at Tara." Are we related? Are we close? Friends? Even acquaintances?
" No, I..."
"Then don't speak for me. After all, I can't afford to be related with your stupidity."
"Sara!" Yang Mei strutted over. "Aren't you ashamed? How could you even have ideas about this work when you've been banned?"
"Banned?" Madam Wei seemed to recall something. "Are you the little girl that stomped over one of my gowns?"
"Yes she is." Yang Mei answered. "She's that shortsighted idiot!
"Then why are you here? Haven't you done enough?" Madam Wei seemed to understand. This girl seems to have been sent to undermine my works
"If it wasn't for a certain white lotus who wanted to show off, would I be here?" Sara rolled her eyes.
Tara stepped forward. "It's all my fault madam. I just wanted to widen my sister's knowledge. I never knew this would happen." She bowed.
The noble ladies all felt this girl was very polite. Their gaze on Tara was gentle.
"It's not your fault dear. You have been a great help to me. You are the one that gave me inspiration for my work. It's not your fault that some uncultured people decided to sabotage my opening ceremony." Madam Wei patted Tara's hands. She turned to look at Sara. "Looking at you, one would think you have substance, until you open your mouth." She scolded. "Please leave my store! Since you've been banned, you shouldn't be so shameless as to return! Get lost before I call the security over!"
"Why didn't you say that since?" Sara jumped happily. She hadn't come with anything so it was easy to her to leave. "Credit card." She asked Tara.
Reluctantly, the girl handed it over.
"So the previous young miss has now been reduced to begging." Yang Mei laughed. Suddenly, the young miss glared at her and Yang Mei's laugh stuck in her throat.
Sara stopped before Madam Wei. "Want to know why I called your works rubbish?"
Madam Wei raised her head high. "What could an ignorant person like you have to say about my works?"
"Even if you don't want to know, I'll still say it."
Sara chuckled. "You said your works this time were styled after the temperament of our Chinese Empresses... But tell me why every style is coquettish, coy and pretentious? Did you fail to do your research well? Or are you just dumb?
"Our Empresses are known to be courageous and bold. Gentle when need be, but also firm. Ruthless, if a situation arises but also loving enough to make the people happy. She's wise, quick witted, sexy if possible, and valiant. They are the mothers of our nation. They made history because they were women of valour not because they were coy mistresses." Sara analyzed. "So this sexy rubbish you made under their names is nothing but crap. It's more situated for the mistresses and white lotus that inspired you than for nobility. Anyone who actually gets it, is acknowledging that she is nothing but a mistress."
Madam Wei was stunned. It indeed seemed to be so. The dresses were flamboyant but gaudy. She felt ashamed.
The ladies there all kept quiet. Who knew the famous vase of city A could be so eloquent!
And besides what she said seemed to make sense.
The noble ladies all looked at the dresses displayed on the catalogue and frowned. It indeed looked like something a mistress would wear. Those with cheating husbands instantly had looks of disdain on their faces.
Madam Wei gritted her teeth.
Tara's face had already gone pale. Who didn't know the clothes were made using her as inspiration? Was that fool calling her a white lotus and mistress? She felt like spitting out blood.
"Since I'm not welcomed here, because I'm an honourable person with twisted morals though, mind you, I'll gladly take my leave." She grabbed her card and whistled as she walked away.