Chapter 339
Chapter 339:
The diamonds caught the light from the lamp, scattering tiny bursts of brilliance across the walls like a private galaxy.
As Bella carefully unfolded the gown from the box, its full beauty revealed itself. Up close, it was even more breathtaking. The intricate details of the shimmering diamonds and the flawless craftsmanship left her in awe.
Her chest tightened with a wave of envy. Austin truly had impeccable taste. The dress was perfect—every inch of it radiated elegance and sophistication.
For a fleeting moment, Bella let herself imagine owning such a masterpiece. But she knew the reality. This was a one-of-a-kind, limited-edition gown.
If Yelena had been the one to order it, Bella would have already decided to make it hers, no matter the cost. But this gown had come from Austin. And even Bella knew better than to cross him. If he ever discovered any foul play, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Offending him was simply unthinkable.
Reluctantly, she pushed the thought aside.
But as much as Bella knew she couldn’t claim the gown for herself, the idea of Yelena wearing it was still unbearable. The vision of Yelena dazzling in this gown, drawing admiration from everyone, made Bella’s stomach churn. It felt like a personal defeat.
A cold determination settled over her as an idea began to form in her mind.
Bella gazed at the exquisite gown in front of her, envy flickering in her eyes. She glanced at the clock. No one would be back this early. Closing her door softly behind her, Bella pulled out a sharp pair of scissors, a devious glint in her eyes. She wasn’t exactly thrilled about ruining such a stunning piece, but after all, the gown wasn’t hers to keep. The idea of Yelena parading around in it made Bella’s chest tighten with resentment.
With a steady hand, Bella set to work on the seams, her scissors gliding with practiced precision. She knew what she was doing. This wasn’t about making a mess, after all—it was about making sure Yelena wouldn’t have the faintest clue what was coming.
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Carefully, she loosened the threads, knowing that if done just right, no one would be the wiser. But once someone tugged at the fabric, the entire gown would unravel in an instant. Bella smirked to herself as she imagined Yelena looking like a fool at the Barton Group’s anniversary bash. Could she ever hold her head up in public again after that? The thought sent a rush of delight through Bella’s veins. She could hardly wait. After all, she would probably be there too.
An invitation to the Barton Group’s gala was practically a given for the Harris family. If Yelena was invited, Bella was certain to be on the guest list as well. Being invited to the Barton Group’s anniversary gala wasn’t just a party—it was a badge of honor, a stamp of status. Bella wasn’t about to miss that for anything.
Before long, Bella had undone all the key stitches, and the gown still looked perfectly untouched. It was foolproof; no one would suspect a thing. She studied the gown one last time, a sly smile creeping across her lips. The real fun would start when Yelena stepped into that dress, completely unaware of what had been done. Bella folded the gown with care, returning it to its box, making sure it appeared untouched.
She then placed the box in the living room and gave instructions for the servant to hand it over to Yelena when she returned. With that, Bella slipped out of the house, confident no one would ever connect her to the little act of sabotage. Bella left no trail, no loose ends. She had perfected the art of covering her tracks.
Satisfied with her handiwork, she decided to meet a few friends for coffee, a carefree smile masking her schemes. Meanwhile, Yelena arrived home to be greeted by a servant, who dutifully handed her the neatly wrapped box.
“Miss Roberts, this gown was delivered for you. The visitor mentioned that Mr. Barton arranged for it to be sent for the upcoming gala,” the servant said, following Bella’s instructions to the letter.
Yelena raised an eyebrow, her surprise evident. “Austin sent this?” she murmured, a slight frown creasing her brow.
As realization dawned, she remembered the Barton Group’s anniversary gala. It had almost slipped her mind amidst the chaos of her schedule. But why hadn’t Austin mentioned the gown earlier? Could it be… a surprise?