Chapter 338
Chapter 338:
Bella couldn’t help but wonder—who was this woman and what exactly was this all about?
“I’m the manager of Cocia’s flagship store in Eighfast,” the woman explained with a professional smile. “I’m delivering a gown commissioned by Mr. Barton for Miss Roberts to wear at the Barton Group’s anniversary event this weekend p>
Austin was a valued client, and the gown was a high-end, custom piece, so the store manager prioritized delivering it personally to ensure it arrived safely and made the intended impression.
Bella’s composure faltered for a moment. Austin ordered a gown for Yelena? Her mind raced. The Barton Group’s anniversary celebration was a prestigious event, and attending the event with Austin was no small matter.
Bella struggled to process the information. She had heard that Austin had recently been in a serious car accident and was still in the hospital. How could he possibly be ordering gowns for Yelena under such circumstances? It didn’t add up. Could there have been a mistake?
Feigning a polite smile, Bella asked cautiously, “Are you sure this gown was ordered by Mr. Barton? I mean, Mr. Austin Barton p>
The store manager nodded confidently. “Yes, that’s correct. Could you please have Miss Roberts come out to sign for it p>
Bella hesitated but quickly masked her reaction with a gracious smile. “Yelena isn’t home at the moment. I’d be happy to sign for it on her behalf. I’ll make sure she gets it when she returns p>
The manager’s expression wavered for a moment. The gown was an expensive and personalized item, and protocol required that it be handed over to the intended recipient directly. But Yelena wasn’t home at the moment.
The manager frowned slightly, realizing her oversight. She hadn’t taken Yelena’s contact details, assuming she would be at home. Now, it was an inconvenience that Yelena wasn’t available to receive the gown directly.
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Seeing the woman’s hesitation, Bella grew slightly impatient. “What? Do you think I’ll ruin it? Don’t worry; this is my sister’s gown. I’ll make sure it’s safe p>
The manager considered Bella’s words. She was Yelena’s sister, after all, and would surely take care of the gown. Besides, the manager had a busy schedule and couldn’t afford to make another trip. Reluctantly, she opened the elegant box she had brought with her.
“Sure, here is the gown. Could you please sign for it?” the manager said.
When Bella saw the gown, her breath caught. Her eyes widened in astonishment. Starry Night! It was the latest and most exclusive release from Cocia.
Bella had seen this masterpiece in magazines—a limited-edition design renowned for its beauty and luxury. Its most striking feature was the thousands of tiny diamonds painstakingly sewn into the fabric, each detail handcrafted to perfection.
This wasn’t just a gown; it was a statement of grandeur, worth a seven-figure fortune. Seeing it in print had been enchanting enough, but now, standing before it, Bella felt her breath catch. The gown radiated an ethereal beauty that no photograph could ever capture. Bella could only stare, utterly captivated.
The manager cleared her throat gently, pulling Bella from her reverie. “Is everything alright? Any concerns?” she asked, her voice polite but curious.
Bella blinked, quickly composing herself. “No, none at all,” she said, her voice unsteady with awe. “It’s just… this gown is extraordinary. Truly stunning p>
The manager’s lips curved into a proud smile. “It is, isn’t it? Each diamond is real, and every stitch is handmade. At night, it truly comes alive—it sparkles like a sky full of stars. That’s why we named it Starry Night p>
Bella nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on the gown. With trembling hands, she signed for it.
As soon as the manager departed, Bella hurried to her room, clutching the precious box tightly. Closing the door behind her, she carefully lifted the gown and held it against herself, turning to catch its reflection in the mirror.