Chapter 55 I’ll Buy What Actually Fits
Finished
Lauren said nothing as she reached into the bag and pulled out the dress. It was a simple red spaghetti–strap dress–basic. safe, and looked like something you’d grab last–minute from a department store clearance rack
Eten when she fakes it, she doesn’t bother faking it well.
“Wow, Madam Alice, how thoughtful of you.” Lauren said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She really leaned into the word thoughtful.
Alice heard the mockery loud and clear. She gave an awkward smile. “If you don’t like it, Laurie, I’ll find you something else
Lauren tossed the dress back without hesitation. Tve still got healing wounds. You really want me to wear this?”
The welts David left with his belt had stopped hurting, but the bruises were still clear as day–on her arms, her back, her thighs.
Her shoulder was the it on display
jit
e worst. The wound had closed up, but the scarring was obvious. In a dress like that, she’d be putting all of
Alice finally put it together. Her face softened with guilt. That was my mistake. I’m sorry, Laurie
“Forget the apology. Just give me the money. I’ll go buy something myself–whatever you picked doesn’t even fit me.”
Her body had been through too much. Years of undernourishment during puberty had left her flat and underdeveloped, barely any curves, painfully thin.
The Bennetts all had model–like bodies. David was 6 foot 1. Elliot 6 foot 2. and Alice was 5 foot 7. With genes like that, Lauren should ‘ve easily hit 5 foot 7.
But she barely made it to 5 foot 3.
If not for her face–a perfect blend of David’s strong features and Alice’s elegance–no one would believe she was their biological daughter.
Willow.
And the dress Alice handed her? Yeah, that was never for her. It was obviously bought to fir Will
Willow was tall and curvy, with the kind of body you could tell had been pampered. She was slim, sure, but not like Lauren- Lauren looked breakable. There was no way that dress was gonna fit.
Alice flushed bright red. Embarrassment burned through her. She couldn’t stand to look Lauren in the eye anymore.
She quickly pulled out a card and shoved it into Lauren’s hand.
T–there’s 15,000 dollars on this. Just take it. If it’s not enough, let me know.”
And with that, she practically bolted.
Lauren threw on something casual, grabbed the card, and walked out of the Bennett house without looking back.
She took a cab straight to the mall–but she didn’t go anywhere near the dress stores. Instead, she made a beeline for a high- end suit shop.
A suit was the smartest option. It looked formal and polished, and more importantly, it would cover all the bruises on her body.
After a quick chat with the sales associate, Lauren picked out a black suit and headed into the fitting room.
She was just stepping out to check herself in the mirror when she overheard a tense voice nearby.
A well–dressed man with rimless glasses was frowning at one of the store employees. “There’s really no way to fix it?”
The employee gave the suit a careful once–over, then sighed, “Sir, this is a really high–end fabric. And the hole looks like it came from a cigarette burn. Fixing it so it’s completely unnoticeable would take a high–level specialist–someone who works. in couture repairs. That’s just not something we can do in–house.
Chapter 55 I’ll Buy What Actually Fits
Finished
The man’s face dropped. ‘Great. Just great. Our CEO has a huge event tonight, and this suit was custom–made just for it. There’s no way we can get it back to Balewood in time for repairs.”
The associate looked genuinely apologetic. I’m so sorry, sir. It’s beyond what we can handle here. Maybe try another store?”
I’ve already checked every reputable tailor in Hoverdale.”
Lauren glanced at the suit in the guy’s arms.
She’d seen plenty of designer pieces during her time with the Bennetts–but this suit? It was on a whole different level.
The fabric alone was next–level, and the tailoring was flawless. This was the kind of suit that was made specifically for one person. You wouldn’t find a second one like it anywhere.
Even if you could fix it. it’d take serious time and cost a small fortune–probably starting at five figures.
Maybe she’d been looking a little too long, because the man with the glasses noticed her
Lauren was standing there in the black suit she’d just changed into. The fit hugged her narrow waist perfectly. Her shoulders, though naturally slim. looked sharp and strong thanks to the structured cut. The black fabric made her pale skin pop. and the smooth neckline flowed up to her long neck. She had that clean, modern, take–no–crap look–polished, but not trying too
hard.
The guy must’ve thought she was the manager, because he came straight over, hopeful and desperate. You really can’t fix it? I’ll pay whatever it takes–just as long as it’s done before tonight
Lauren blinked, caught off guard. He thought I worked there.
She opened her mouth to say no–but then she looked at him. He actually needed her.
And for once being needed felt… kind of good. It made saying no a little harder
Send Gifts
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