Chapter 280 Recluse
Alaric and Cecilia stood side by side before the grand floor-to-ceiling windows, having just changed into their formal attire.
Cecilia was wearing a dazzling gold sequin gown with delicate spaghetti straps that highlighted her perfect collarbones. The deep V-neck of the dress teased the eye, subtly revealing her curves. The high slit on the skirt showcased her long legs, each step accentuating her graceful silhouette. The elegant gown wrapped around her voluptuous figure, making her look absolutely mesmerizing.
Before any of the staff could offer their praise, a dramatic voice rang out from behind them. "Can you be any more stunning? Is that even possible?"
Cecilia turned to see Seraphina.
Behind her, at a noticeable distance, was Dashiell, who was maneuvering his own wheelchair.
"Why aren't you helping Dashiell?" Cecilia frowned.
Seraphina scowled in response. "I didn't even want to come with him."
If Atticus hadn't practically forced Seraphina to bring Dashiell, she wouldn't have shown up.
Of course, Atticus couldn't actually force her.
It was more like Atticus used Sebastian as leverage.
He threatened that if Seraphina didn't attend the event with Dashiell, Sebastian wouldn't be allowed to go.
For Sebastian, such events were crucial for making connections.
Before, it might have been different.
If Seraphina had married Sebastian, she'd have been part of the Everhart family, and the resources would have come to her naturally.
But now that she was married, Sebastian's access to those resources was entirely up to him.
Just thinking about it made Seraphina seethe with frustration.
Yet, she reluctantly agreed.
Besides, a small part of her was eager to see Sebastian.
It had been over a month since her wedding.
Over a month with no contact, no meetings.
She had no idea how Sebastian was faring.
The thought stirred a pang of emotion in her chest.
"Seraphina." Cecilia's voice cut through her thoughts, louder than usual.
Seraphina snapped back to reality. "What?"
"What's on your mind?" Cecilia frowned, clearly suspicious of her preoccupied state.
"Nothing." Seraphina quickly shifted gears, her eyes darting away. "What's with the loud call?"
"I try talking to you, and you're not paying attention. Why are you here suddenly?"
"Just dressing up for your family's anniversary party!"
"Atticus sent you?"
Seraphina said, "Are you surprised I listen to him?"
Cecilia couldn't quite believe it.
"Can't I just be bored?" Seraphina snapped back, her tone matching her usual demeanor.
This certainly fit Seraphina's character.
Seraphina attending the anniversary party wasn't a surprise to Cecilia.
What was truly baffling was that Seraphina had brought Dashiell along.
"I went to pick out my dress," Seraphina said, cutting Cecilia off before she could guess anything.
Seraphina then headed off to one side.
Cecilia glanced at Seraphina briefly and then started to walk towards Dashiell.
But before she could make her move, Alaric abruptly pulled her back into his embrace.
Cecilia frowned. "Alaric, what's the matter?!"
She had intended to help push Dashiell's wheelchair.
"Change your dress," Alaric said matter-of-factly.
Cecilia's expression shifted immediately. "Is it not flattering?"
"It's too revealing. Change to something else," Alaric replied bluntly.
"It's not like I'm dressing for you! Why do you care if it's revealing or not?" Cecilia shot back.
She thought, After all, isn't that what dresses are supposed to do? A bit of exposure is hardly unusual. It's stranger when the outfit is all covered up.
'Besides, this dress isn't just sexy; it's also elegant. It has that rich, aristocratic vibe to it.'
When she first showed the design sketches, it had caused a stir in the Harmony Threads design department.
"Then you definitely need to change," Alaric said firmly.
Cecilia was clearly irritated.
But with so many people around, she couldn't bring herself to argue with Alaric.
The staff seemed to notice Cecilia's discomfort and quickly chimed in, "Mr. Whitaker, your bespoke suit is a couple's set with Miss Cecilia's dress. The gold embroidery on your collar matches the base fabric of her gown, and the beaded button on your suit is also a bead from her dress."
Alaric paused for a moment, clearly taken aback.
Cecilia, on the other hand, felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
Cecilia had to admit that she had designed the dress based on Alaric's measurements, but she never actually expected to see it worn. It was originally meant as an exhibit piece. If it hadn't been for the sudden invitation to the dinner, she wouldn't have impulsively had it brought out.
She felt like her secret had been exposed.
"Don't overthink it," Cecilia said, feeling cornered by Alaric's gaze, "I just thought you looks decent enough, and since there are so many people at the anniversary party tonight, I figured you could serve as a free model for the Harmony Threads."
Decent enough?
That was an understatement.
Alaric was practically out of this world handsome!
The staff watching them couldn't hide their shock.
These two were dazzling enough to blind everyone in the room.
"Just wear it for me," Alaric decided after a prolonged internal debate.
"Who says I'm wearing it just for you?" Cecilia shot back, annoyed.
"Get me a more modest outfit," Alaric instructed the staff, not wasting time on Cecilia's irritation.
The staff hesitated, looking at Cecilia.
Cecilia gritted her teeth. "A black one, fully covered."
She thought, 'Ideally, it should be so unattractive that it's almost unbearable.'
"Get her what she asked for," Alaric confirmed, ignoring her temper.
The staff quickly left to find a more conservative black dress.
A short while later, they returned with a less revealing black gown.
Fuming, Cecilia marched into the changing room.
Alaric turned his attention to Dashiell.
"Feeling any better?" Alaric asked.
"The surface wounds are healed. I've got some feeling in my left leg, but it's still weak and I can't stand. My right leg has no sensation at all," Dashiell replied.
Alaric nodded, acknowledging the update.
Dashiell didn't add anything further.
"Find him a suit," Alaric told the staff.
They quickly selected a black bespoke suit for Dashiell.
"Sir, would you like me to assist you?" the staff member asked, aware that Dashiell might struggle to dress himself.
"Is there a man available to help?" Dashiell inquired.
"I'm sorry, sir, but our only male staff member is on leave today. If you don't mind, I could assist you…"
"No, thanks," Dashiell declined firmly.
He looked over at Alaric.
At that moment, Alaric's gaze fell upon Seraphina, who had donned a black fringe dress with a strapless bodice and a high-slit skirt. It was both voluptuous and alluring.
Alaric didn't even glance at Seraphina directly. "Help him change into the suit."
"Can't he do it himself?" Seraphina protested.
"Don't you think?" Alaric countered, clearly irritated.
Alaric's tone with Seraphina was anything but friendly.
"There are so many staff members here," Seraphina resisted.
"So, are we to assume Dashiell is meant to stay a recluse?" Alaric snapped back.
Cecilia wore a golden beaded sequin gown, with slim halter revealing her perfect collarbones, and a deep V neckline that was tantalizingly suggestive. The high slit at the hem showcased her long legs, the elegant gown hugged her voluptuous figure, enhancing her allure.
Before the staff could voice their compliment.
An exaggerated female voice came from behind, "Do you have to be this stunning?"
Cecilia turned around, she saw Seraphina.
Behind Seraphina, at a distance, was Dashiell, pushing his wheelchair by himself.
"Why don't you help Dashiell?!" Cecilia frowned.
Seraphina was annoyed, "I even didn't want to come with him."
Cecilia still wanted her to help him, if Atticus hadn't forced her to bring Dashiell along, she wouldn't have come at all.
Of course, Atticus couldn't really force her.
But it was Atticus who did threaten her with Sebastian, saying that if she didn't go to the party with Dashiell today, he wouldn't let Sebastian go.
It was important to understand that for Sebastian, events like these were all about resources.Not to mention before, if Sebastian married her, he would become the son-in-law of the Everhart family, and resources would come naturally.
But now, she was already married, and Sebastian had to rely on himself for resources.
Thinking about it made Seraphina angry.
Yet she was still forced to agree.
Moreover, she really wanted to see Sebastian.
She had been married for over a month.
More than a month without contact, without meeting.
She wondered if he was doing well or not.
Her heart still wavered a little at the thought."Seraphina." Cecilia's voice was noticeably louder.
Seraphina snapped back, "What?"
"What are you thinking about?" Cecilia frowned.
Clearly, she found Seraphina's behavior suspicious.
"Nothing." Seraphina's eyes averted and she hastily changed the subject, "Why did you call me so loudly?"
Cecilia said, "I was talking to you, and you weren't listening. I asked why you suddenly came here."
Seraphina replied, "To dress up and attend your family's anniversary celebration!"
Cecilia asked, "Atticus asked you to come?"
"Are you really that obedient?" Cecilia found it hard to believe.
"I'm bored, okay?" Seraphina said irritably.
That would fit Seraphina's persona.
It wasn't surprising that Seraphina would attend the anniversary celebration.
That Seraphina would bring Dashiell with her just boggles her mind.
"I'm going to pick out a dress." Seraphina didn't give Cecilia time to speculate and walked away.
Cecilia glanced at Seraphina and got up to walk towards Dashiell.
Her arm was suddenly pulled into an embrace.
Cecilia frowned, "Alaric, what are you doing?!"
She wanted to help Dashiell with his wheelchair.
"Change your dress." Alaric said bluntly.
Cecilia's face changed instantly, "Isn't it nice?"
"It's too exposing." Alaric said bluntly.
"Change to another one." Alaric repeated.
"I'm not wearing it for you, why do you care if it's exposing?"
Cecilia thought, 'Besides, aren't dresses supposed to be like this?
Isn't it normal to show a bit of skin?!
Being all covered up would be strange.
And this dress was not only sexy but also very elegant.
It had a noble vibe of a wealthy lady.
In short, it looked great.
When she submitted the design draft, it caused a sensation in the entire design department of Harmony Threads.'
"That makes it even more necessary to change." Alaric was firm.
Cecilia bit her lip, feeling very annoyed.
She was very annoyed.
But in front of so many people, she was too embarrassed to argue with Alaric.
The staff seemed to sense Cecilia's thoughts and quickly said, "Mr. Whitaker, your custom suit and Mrs. Lockhart are a couple's set. The golden pattern on your collar is the base fabric of Mrs. Lockhart's dress, and the beaded buttons on your suit are the same beads on Mrs. Lockhart's dress."
Alaric paused for a few seconds.
Cecilia, on the other hand, blushed a little.
She admitted she designed it based on Alaric's measurements, but she never thought he would actually wear it. It was originally meant for display. If it weren't for the sudden need to attend the banquet, she wouldn't have impulsively had it brought out.
She felt like a secret had been discovered.
"Don't overthink it." Cecilia was on the verge of breaking down under Alaric's gaze, "I just thought you looked decent, and since there are many people at the anniversary celebration today, I wanted you to be a free model for Harmony Threads for publicity."
The staff watching them were so stunned they couldn't speak.
They could blind everyone with their looks.
"Just wear it for me alone." Alaric finally made a decision after a long internal struggle.
"Who wants to wear it for you!" Cecilia was angry.
"Get me a more conservative dress." Alaric said to the staff, ignoring Cecilia's outburst.
The staff looked at Cecilia with difficulty.
Cecilia gritted her teeth, "A black one, fully covered."
Cecilia thought, 'The best look would be something that stands out so much it’s just ridiculously ugly.'
"Get it as she said." Alaric confirmed.
He deliberately ignored her tantrum.
The staff quickly left.
After a while, they found a relatively conservative black dress.
Cecilia stormed off to the dressing room in a huff.
Alaric then turned and walked towards Dashiell, watching him push the wheelchair over.
"Feeling better?" Alaric asked.
Dashiell replied, "The external injuries are healed. I have feeling in my left leg, but it's weak and I can't stand. The right leg, for now, has no sensation."
Alaric nodded slightly, Dashiell didn't say much more.
"Get him a suit." Alaric said to the staff.
The staff quickly and respectfully picked out a custom black suit for Dashiell.
The staffasked, "Sir, do you need my help?"
She knew it was difficult for him to dress himself.
Dashiell asked,"Is there a male staff member available?"
The staff replied, "Sorry, sir, our only male staff member is on leave today. If you don't mind, I can help you..."
"No need." Dashiell refused directly.
He turned his head to Alaric, who nodded slightly at that moment.
Alaric saw Seraphina in a black fringed asymmetrical dress, with a strapless design on top and a high slit with fringes at the bottom, looking both curvaceous and seductive.
Alaric didn't even glance at Seraphina.
Alaric said, "Help him change into the suit."
"Couldn't he change himself?" Seraphina didn't want to.
"What do you think?" Alaric asked.
Alaric was not very friendly to Seraphina.
"There are so many staff members here." Seraphina resisted.
"So Dashiell is guarding his body for a ghost?"
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