Chapter 3

I asked, as if casually, “What’s your husband’s name, Ms. Serena? Do I know him?”

“He…” Serena stammered. She’d just made up a reason to be there and hadn’t prepared a coherent story.

Brandon, displeased, said, “Enough, Aubrey. When did you get so gossipy? He’s not someone you need to know.”

Right. As an orphan girl, how could I possibly be acquainted with anyone in his social circle?

I reined in my smile, my shattered heart bleeding anew.

Serena’s expression was odd. She hesitated. “My boyfriend had an urgent matter and couldn’t make it. I have a rather brazen request, Brandon. Could you try on a groom’s suit and help me pick out a wedding dress?”

I was about to ask for the ring and leave, but Brandon had already turned and headed to the changing rooms.

For the next hour, Serena would change into a dress, link arms with Brandon, and pose in front of the mirror, treating me like I was invisible.

The sales assistant kept giving me strange looks. Even outsiders could tell something fishy was going on between them.

I felt like a fool, standing there watching their public display of affection.

I turned to leave, but a familiar-looking wedding dress caught my attention.

I had just pulled up the hem of the wedding dress when Serena appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the other end. “You like this one too? I was just about to try it…”

I was about to let go when I heard Brandon say, “Let Serena try it first.”

Serena smugly raised an eyebrow at me, then feigned politeness. “Oh, that won’t do. Why don’t we get another one, and we can both try them on at the same time?”

I found it ridiculous. “No need. It’s not a beauty pageant or some royal audition. Let’s not make it complicated.”

Brandon’s face turned cold. “We’re here to try on wedding dresses. I don’t have time to come a second time.”

Even though I was mentally prepared, his sudden cold attitude still stung.

He had always spoken to me gently, coaxing me. Was he unable to keep up the pretense now that Serena, his darling, was here?

The sales assistant, sensing the tense atmosphere, quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

“This pure lace style is the only one we have in the store, but we also have a limited edition, fully diamond-encrusted luxury version.”

I pulled open a nearby cabinet. A vast array of diamonds sparkled dazzlingly under the lights.

“The design is the same. This one is covered in 3S-grade diamonds, costing two million, while the plain one is two hundred thousand.”

“This…”

Serena looked hesitant, but her feet moved to stand beside the luxury version.

Brandon gave the sales assistant a meaningful look.

The assistant, recalling the previous scene, immediately understood. “Ms. King has a more striking, sophisticated look, and an elegant demeanor. She suits this diamond wedding dress.”

“Ms. Aubrey’s demeanor… would be better suited for this pure lace style.”

I didn’t want to make things difficult for the employee, and remembering the video on Brandon’s phone, I decided to try on the dress.

When the two of us reappeared before Brandon, he froze.

The same cut of wedding dress, on me, looked custom-made, highlighting my clean, innocent aura to the extreme.

In contrast, Serena, with her heavy makeup, looked rather gaudy against the backdrop of all those diamonds.

“Brandon, who do you think wears it better?”

Brandon looked at me, innocent yet seductive, his throat working. “Both are beautiful.”

“Don’t just humor us,” Serena continued to act coyly in front of the mirror, completely oblivious to his gaze being fixed on me.

I turned my body, avoiding Brandon’s burning gaze.

I would never again be moved by his attention.

Serena continued to whine. “Tell us honestly, we won’t get mad.”

“Naturally, the expensive one is better.”

Brandon finished, then turned to me, as if to add something.

“It’s okay.”

I cut him off. “But we won’t be taking either of these dresses.”

The sales assistant grew anxious. “Ms. King, this limited edition luxury version is the best and most expensive wedding dress in all of Brighton.”

“I’m so sorry, Aubrey, but I’m a celebrity. Wearing something cheap would be ridiculed.”

Serena pulled out her card from her bag. “I love this one. Sales assistant, how much is the deposit? I’ll swipe my card.”

“Ms. King, you have excellent taste. The deposit is two hundred thousand.”

The sales assistant swiftly brought the card machine. Serena had just finished entering her PIN when Brandon’s phone chimed.

Only a few of us were in the store, and the timing of the sound was too perfectly coincidental.

Brandon seemed to realize something. “My assistant needs me for something. Aubrey, keep looking.”

As soon as he left, Serena’s demeanor completely changed. “Aubrey, I heard you’re an orphan. No wonder you picked the one without diamonds earlier. Honestly, being so petty and unsophisticated will make Brandon lose face.”

“Hayes Enterprises is one of the top families in Brighton, you know.”

Someone seemed to forget that it was she who had just been fighting for the pure lace dress.

I was completely unfazed. “Alright, since Ms. Serena has already paid, I won’t say anything more.”

Despite her cruelty, I had initially intended to point out that both dresses were knock-offs. The authentic one was a custom design my mother had commissioned for twenty million.

Since I had been in Brighton, that dress was still with the designer abroad. It seemed poor handling had led to it being copied.

If an ordinary person wore a pirated version, no one would care. But Serena was a celebrity. Wearing a copied design to her wedding would make her a laughingstock across the internet.

And then, it would be *her* who made Brandon lose face.

We changed back into our clothes, and Brandon returned.

“Aubrey, have you made your choice? I promised Dad I’d buy a new gaming console. Afterwards, we…”

Serena stepped forward. “Brandon, weren’t you hoping to meet the Harrington heir?”

“Tonight, I arranged to meet Mr. Thompson, the manager of the Harrington subsidiary. He’s a relative of mine.”