Chapter 19
<Chapter>Chapter 19: The Heart of Spring </Chapter>
Gianna frowned. "Didn't you tell them that 'Heart's Desire' is not for sale?"
She had designed that gown as a birthday gift for Faith but had been too busy to drop by and pick it up.
"I did, but the customer is the Astor family's Ms. Jasmine. She's insisting on purchasing 'Heart's Desire,' claiming she could pay ten times the price if necessary. I was afraid of offending the Astor family, so I wasn't sure what to do."
Gianna paused for a moment before responding with a calm demeanor. "Tell her she can pick any other dress from the store and it'll be on the house."
"Got it. I'll handle it."
After hanging up, Amelia approached Bella and Jasmine Astor with an apologetic expression. "Ms. Astor, my apologies, but our boss has declined to sell 'Heart's Desire.' To make it up to you, you're welcome to select any other gown from the store as a gift from us."
Jasmine's eyes gleamed with temptation. JM's dress designs were cutting-edge and each one was valued at over a million dollars. Before she had set her sights on 'Heart's Desire', she had been quite fond of several other dresses.
Her eyes swept over the gowns she had previously admired. They were all beautiful, but next to 'Heart's Desire', they seemed less impressive.
Just seeing 'Heart's Desire', she could already imagine how dazzling she would look wearing it at the gala.
Jasmine lingered in silence for a moment before fixing Amelia with an irked gaze. "If that dress is out on the rack, then it should be up for sale. If you start claiming every piece customers fancy as 'not for sale,' who would bother shopping here again? Sure, JM fashion is striking, but Dawnridge isn't limited to just JM."
Amelia, while maintaining a smile, felt her patience fray. "Ms. Jasmine, I assure you, this particular dress truly is not for sale. Perhaps you might consider one of the other options?"
Jasmine let out a derisive snort, her eyes ablaze with anger. "And what if I insist on this one?"
The mirth in Amelia's smile faded. "No matter what you say, Ms. Jasmine, the dress isn't available. I have other matters to attend to. Feel free to continue browsing and just let the sales associate know your selection. If you'll excuse me."
With that, Amelia turned and walked away.
Jasmine's fury was palpable as she glared at Amelia's retreating form. "You stop right there! If you walk away, I swear I'll never step foot in this boutique again! And I'll rally all my friends to boycott JM too! I mean it!"
Amelia's gaze turned icy as she paused and looked back, her expression stern. "Ms. Jasmine, I've already explained the situation with the dress. It was mistakenly displayed, and we've offered you any other dress in the store on the house. But if you're going to persist and threaten to boycott JM, understand we don't seek trouble, but we're not afraid of it either. You're free to do as you please."
Jasmine's face darkened even more, and she started to retort, but Bella quickly tugged at her sleeve.
"Amelia, please don't be upset. Jasmine's just really passionate about the dress, that's all. I apologize on her behalf."
Jasmine frowned, clearly intending to protest, but a glance from Bella silenced her.
Amelia responded coolly, "An apology is not necessary. The oversight was on our part, to begin with. Take your time, Miss Redstone; I'll have to excuse myself now."
Once Amelia had left, Jasmine turned to Bella with dissatisfaction. "Belle, why on earth did you stop me? She's just a store manager, and she dares to defy me like that?"
Bella remained silent for a moment before murmuring, "Jasmine, you've just returned from abroad and might not realize the clout JM holds in Dawnridge. Pretty much every high society lady whose name you can recall gets their gowns custom-made there. Crossing JM wouldn't bode well for you."
Jasmine snorted dismissively. "It's just a dress shop, what's the big deal? I refuse to believe that JM is the only game in town. Even those international bigwigs like DI and CH wouldn't dare be so arrogant!"
Bella didn't elaborate. She simply smiled and said, "You'll understand in time. Let's focus on picking out a dress. You spotted quite a few you liked earlier, right?"
"There's just something missing compared to 'Heart's Desire'."
"Well, 'Heart's Desire' isn't for sale, so we'll have to settle for the next best thing."
...
On the other end, right after Gianna hung up the phone, Faith looked at her, puzzled. "Is there a problem with JM?"
With a hint of exasperation, Gianna replied, "The gown I had designed as your birthday gift was accidentally put on display by the new clerk, and now someone has taken an interest in buying it."
Faith's eyebrows rose, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "What kind of gown? It would be perfect for the gala I'm attending tonight. Tell Wenna to bring it over; I can wear it to the event!"
"There's still a fortnight until your birthday. Let's discuss it then. You should get to work, and I need to review some documents."
After a bit more cajoling from Faith to no avail, she finally went back to her duties.
In the evening, just as work was winding down, Gianna received a call from Felix.
"I'm downstairs at MY FASHION. When do you get off?" Felix's voice was cool, clearly still upset about the previous night's incident.
"In about 15 minutes, at five. If you're in a hurry, I can head down now."
"No need. I'll wait."
The moment the clock struck five, Gianna put aside her work and headed downstairs.
Stepping out of MY FASHION, she saw a sleek black Maybach parked at the curb.
She approached the car, pulled open the door, and got in, instantly enveloped by an icy chill.
Felix, his gaze fixed on some documents, ordered the driver to start moving without even looking up.
The silent journey ended at the gates of the Redstone family's ancestral home. Just as the car was slowing to a stop, Gianna turned to Felix and said, "If anyone asks why I caught a ride with you, just say it was on your way and Bella asked you to pick me up."
Felix frowned slightly; his eyes frosty as they met Gianna's. "Am I that disgraceful?"
"We've been secretly married for three years, and now we're on the brink of divorce. There's no need to let everyone know we were ever hitched."
Felix let out a derisive chuckle, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Afraid of what people might think, and that it will affect your next move?!"
Surprise flickered in Gianna's eyes, but her face remained expressionless as she replied curtly, "You know it."
As she turned to push the door open and step out of the car, her wrist was suddenly yanked back, and she tumbled into Felix's embrace.
Gianna frowned, about to push him away when his icy voice came from above. "Gianna, you really do have a knack for testing my patience!"
Meanwhile, outside the car, the Redstones, having heard of Felix's arrival, all came out to welcome him. Henry stood at the forefront, his face beaming with a triumphant smile.
Felix's attendance at his birthday party was a great honor for him and the Redstone clan, a perfect opportunity to put those scheming little weasels in their place!
Lauren wore a look of pride as well. Without Bella, Felix wouldn't have come. She credited herself for raising such a wonderful daughter!
But as minutes passed without Felix stepping out of the car, the Redstones began to feel uneasy.
The guests, witnessing the Redstones' grand welcome, also came out only to find no sign of Felix, which set tongues wagging.
"What's going on? Didn't Felix show up?"
"Maybe the Redstones did something to offend him, so he's making a point by not getting out."
"I thought Felix had his eye on Bella. Even if there's been a misunderstanding, Bella could smooth things over, right? Maybe they had a fight, and he's waiting for her to come and coax him out."
Whispers reached the elder Redstone's ears, making him cast a glance toward Bella.
"Belle, dear, would you please go and invite Felix out?"
