Chapter 51 The Dress Unfinished
Pearl instantly fell in love with the formal dress on sight. She headed to the dressing room. Janetta waited nearby, browsing for her own dress as she did. When Pearl emerged, Janetta turned around and was struck motionless by the sight. Pearl, who was tall and stunning, carried herself with an air of chilly elegance and supreme dignity that was quite breathtaking. Janetta couldn't help but exclaim, "Pearl, you are a revelation! I never knew you could look this beautiful!"
Pearl's hair flowed freely, and the red dress illuminated her porcelain skin, lending her complexion an extra luminescence. The strapless design hugged her perfect figure, and her hand rested on a waist accentuated by the curve of her hips. The skirt featured hand-sewn roses, lifelike in their detail. The beauty of the dress lay in its ability not to overshadow the wearer but to fully present a woman's grace and delicacy.
Looking at Pearl was like seeing the proudest rose emerging from the thorns, proving that the flower compliments the person, but the person outshines the flower.
Standing in front of the mirror, Pearl also felt transformed, filled with a newfound feminine allure. "I think it looks great, too," she admitted.
The store manager approached just as Pearl stepped out in the dress. She caught only a glimpse of Pearl's silhouette – the graceful shoulder blades and curvaceous waist – and was already delighted. "Ms. Pearl, it's wonderful! When I designed this, I hadn't even considered all this, but seeing you in it, it's like it was made for you. It's just missing a final touch, but I'm inspired now, and I believe once it's finished, it will suit you perfectly."
"You flatter me," Pearl said, holding the dress and looking at her beautiful reflection in the mirror with satisfaction. "Since it's not finished, I'll change out of it for now."
Janetta was disappointed that the dress was incomplete and asked, "Is there any chance that it could be ready for tonight?"
"That's a tough one," the store manager replied. "If it weren't for Ms. Haley's order, I could manage it. Her dress requires a complicated embroidery work that several artisans need to complete. I don't want to inconvenience myself with Haley. I'm afraid it might cost me my job."
Hearing this, Janetta grew angry. "I overheard that assistant earlier, so full of herself, offering no respect. You're already well esteemed in the industry, revered by many celebrities and artists, and yet they show you no respect at all. What are you afraid of? If you don't finish their dress, what can they do – it's not like they can kill you."
"I'd rather they kill me than suffer this headache. It's not Haley that worries me. It's the Brown family I can't afford to offend," the store manager confessed.
Janetta couldn't stand Haley's antics.
On the surface, Haley was soft and seemingly pitiable, but behind closed doors, no one knew how she could suppress others.
Anyone else might have been scared, but Janetta was not intimidated. She knew Haley didn't have what it takes and said, "Ms. Yvonne, don't be afraid. Just because Haley claims she'll be the future First Lady to President Oscar doesn't make it so. Oscar has to agree, and we'll see if she can even get through the doors of the Brown family's house."
Hearing her speak so confidently and recalling the difficulties she'd endured because of Haley, the store manager felt reassured. She would not have been so patient if it weren't for Oscar shielding Haley.
"Janetta, you can't be fooling me. If I offend Oscar, I really can't afford the consequences," the store manager fretted.
"Don't worry. I can't just sit back and watch Haley give you a hard time. You know what kind of person I am—I mean what I say, and I won't deceive you," Janetta assured her.
With Janetta's word, the store manager no longer feared a disaster.
She worried about being shunned tomorrow and potentially losing her store in the process.
When Pearl emerged, the store manager was very courteous, eagerly taking her measurements and preparing to alter her gown.
Pearl felt that the dress and the occasion might not be in her stars after all and asked Janetta, "Why is Ms. Yvonne suddenly so polite? Did you say something to her?"
"Wait until tomorrow. Haley wants to make a scene; I won't let her," Janetta replied confidently.
Pearl wasn't concerned with Haley's issues and said goodbye to Janetta before heading home.
By this time, Oscar had returned to his residence.
After asking the servants, Pearl learned he was in the study.
Pearl decided to inform him because he needed to attend the significant event.
She knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Oscar's voice was neither warm nor cold.
Pearl entered, finding Oscar busy on his computer. He had been preoccupied with the upcoming celebration, swamped with tasks at the company, and she wondered what business he had left to handle at home.
Oscar glanced up at her, "What is it?"
"Tomorrow is the annual event of the Brown Group, and I'm planning to attend," Pearl said.
This piqued Oscar's interest, and his gaze settled on her.
"I recalled you don't enjoy such events."
She didn't like the attention these kinds of events attracted and wasn't a fan of the bustle.
She used to think such gatherings were unnecessary, but opinions change over time.
Pearl smiled, "People, CEOs included, change."
"Sure," said Oscar, "I'll have someone prepare your outfit."
"No need, I've already picked one out," Pearl replied, prepared and glancing toward him before adding, "I charged it to your card."
After saying that, Pearl left.
Oscar hesitated for quite some time.
However, the thought of her spending his money brought a slight smile to his face.
---
At the Brown Group charity gala, many distinguished guests arrived.
The vans dropped off guests at the rear entrance.
Pearl was in the makeup room, sharing the space with other artists.
The organizers had ensured that there were specialized makeup rooms to give the women ample time to dress up, a thoughtful touch.
Pearl was waiting for Janetta when Haley arrived, bare-faced and dressed simply, flanked by seven or eight assistants.
It looked like she intended to get ready right there.
When Haley saw Pearl, dressed in her black suit with her hair up, still looking like her everyday secretary self, she couldn't help but smile and say, "Everyone else is all dolled up, and you’re still standing here. Are you not participating in tonight’s event? Or did Oscar not invite you, leaving you to work as staff?"
"Ms. Haley, it's none of your business," Pearl responded coolly.
"I don't want to interfere now, but…" Haley stepped closer, whispering in her ear, "Who knows if I'll stay out of it in the future, Secretary Pearl."
She deliberately emphasized the words "Secretary Pearl," already anticipating marrying into the Brown family.
If Haley became the lady of the house, she could use Pearl, the mere secretary. However, she pleased.
After that, Haley and her assistants dramatically moved to the largest makeup room.
Later on.
"Ms. Eileen!"
The event staff, upon seeing Eileen, called out to her.
As the hottest female artist at the moment, her presence at the gala was a given.
She was amiable and friendly to the staff as always. Still, today, she was visibly upset when she saw that Haley had taken over the largest makeup room, merely nodding in acknowledgment.
Eileen didn't wait in a room; instead, she sat on a chair outside.
A place where only minor artists would linger.
This showed that Eileen didn’t concern herself with her status.
Pearl, ever observant, had someone bring a glass of water over to her.
When Eileen received it, recognizing that it was from Pearl, she offered a small smile in thanks.
Pearl returned the gesture.
When Janetta arrived, everything was already in order. Her assistant was holding a gift box, "Morgan already tailored it for you, go try it on. Today, you have to dazzle everyone."
"You are so thoughtful; otherwise, I couldn't wear such a beautiful dress!"
"Go on, go on. The styling will probably take a while. I can hardly wait!"
Janetta called her assistant and the makeup artist to prepare for Pearl's styling session.
Just then, from the largest makeup room came the sound of disgruntlement, "How can you operate like this? Didn't I say to have it fixed at all costs last night? And now you tell me that our Ms. Haley has to change into a different gown! Our Ms. Haley's favorite was that one! You didn't pay any attention to our Ms. Haley at all!"
"We have altered this gown many times, and Ms. Haley wasn't satisfied. We really had no other option!"
"You're taking my words lightly. Just one word from our Ms. Haley and your store could shut down!"
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