The car stopped in front of a luxury store. Lia had been here before, but she had always come with one of Lucas's female companions. Today, however, it was Cassius who brought her.
"What are you thinking about?" Cassius asked, looking at her as she stared out the window.
Lia smiled faintly. "It's nothing."
He extended his hand toward her naturally. "As a girlfriend, if you're not even comfortable holding hands, how can anyone trust you?"
Lia hesitated for a moment but then placed her hand in his. "I'll remember," she said quietly.
They walked toward the store together, hand in hand, looking like a couple in perfect harmony.
"Mr. Cassius!" The store manager had been informed in advance and was waiting to greet them. He quickly approached, but his gaze subtly shifted to Lia. Although surprised, he didn't let it show.
"Let the designer pick out something for her," Cassius said smoothly.
The manager nodded immediately. "Of course."
Chloe was the designer Cassius had referred to, and she was one of the most well-known stylists in the area. Many artists and socialites sought her expertise, and Lia had been here before, always with Lucas's female companions. She had done a few fittings with Chloe in the past, but today, the situation felt very different.
"Lia, long time no see," Chloe greeted with a warm smile, already admiring Lia's figure.
Lia returned the greeting politely. "Ms. Chloe, thank you for your help." Chloe admired Lia very much because of her good figure and invited her to be her model for magazines, but Lia declined politely considering that she needed to pay attention to her image in the Valen Group.
Chloe, known for her ability to work with the elite, had likely already heard whispers about Lia's connection to Cassius. Everyone in the social scene knew the Ravencroft family, and Cassius's recent return back had turned heads. The fact that he was bringing Lia here meant one thing: their relationship was clearly something more than just professional.
Lia didn't mind the subtle glances or whispered assumptions. She had seen it all before in the high-society circles, where rumors spread faster than facts.
"Ms. Chloe, I appreciate your work," Lia said softly, not letting the conversation drift toward uncomfortable territory.
Chloe's gaze drifted toward Lia's exposed collarbone, the red mark beneath it almost too obvious to miss. But she quickly masked it with a professional smile. She had her suspicions, but it wasn't her place to pry. For many years, Cassius had no scandal objects. Everyone thought he was pure and unsexy, but everyone was wrong.
"Lia, oh no—sorry, I shouldn't have said that," Chloe quickly corrected herself, realizing her slip-up. "Ms. Lia, you have such beautiful skin."
"Thank you." Lia smiled graciously, choosing not to respond further to Chloe's attempts at flattery. After all, everyone was just looking for something to gain.
Meanwhile, Cassius was in the waiting area, casually flipping through a magazine. His phone rang, and he answered it with a quick glance at the caller ID.
"What's up?" he asked, his tone cool.
"I heard you're going to Benjamin's golden wedding banquet?" Arthur, a friend from back home, asked. Arthur, a doctor by profession but secretly the heir to the Parkers Group, had a way of keeping tabs on the social scene without getting involved. And Healing Grace Medical Center is a hospital under the Parkers family.
"Yeah," Cassius replied shortly.
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Who are you going with? You can't attend a golden wedding by yourself, right?"
Cassius didn't miss a beat. "Do you think I'd go alone?"
Arthur wasn't one to pry, but it was hard to miss the significance of Cassius bringing a woman to such an event. "So, it's the woman you mentioned before?"
Cassius didn't hesitate. "Just mind your own business," he said, and the call ended.
Arthur sat in silence for a moment. Cassius, in love?
Back at the store, the fitting room door opened, and Chloe appeared, her face lighting up with excitement. "Mr. Cassius, Miss Lia has finished changing."
Lia stepped out, wearing a stunning off-white cheongsam. The delicate butterflies embroidered on the fabric highlighted her graceful figure, and her long hair flowed down her back in soft waves. She looked ethereal, like a piece of art brought to life.
"Mr. Cassius, what do you think?" Chloe asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
But Cassius remained silent, his expression unreadable. Chloe's confidence wavered, and she nervously called his name. "Mr. Cassius? What do you think?"
Cassius blinked, returning to the moment. "Huh? Oh, it's fine," he said, his tone nonchalant.
Lia, who had been nervously awaiting his reaction, lowered her gaze slightly. She wasn't sure if the cheongsam suited her. She usually dressed in professional or casual attire, so wearing something like this felt out of her comfort zone.
"Do you like it?" Cassius asked, turning to Lia.
Lia kept smiling, though it was a little stiff. "It's fine if you think it suits me."
Chloe, trying to ease the tension, offered her opinion. "This cheongsam was designed to combine spirit and tranquility, and it's a perfect match for Ms. Lia's quiet temperament."
Cassius nodded. "This one's good."
Chloe let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Everyone knew that Cassius had high standards. The fact that he approved of the outfit was a significant endorsement.
As Lia stood still, Cassius moved toward her slowly. Without a word, he reached out and gently wrapped his arm around her slender waist. Lia froze, her eyes flicking nervously to the people around them. But the others in the store pretended not to notice, giving the couple their privacy.
Cassius leaned in slightly, his lips brushing against her pink earlobe as he whispered softly, "You look very beautiful."
Lia's heart fluttered in her chest, a warmth spreading through her at his words.