Chapter 105

“Ms. Atkinson.” The sales assistant, Lisa, who had just been serving Amelia, immediately dashed out to greet the new guest.

It was Elaine Atkinson. She was a beauty with a slightly fuller figure, but her haughty gaze revealed she wasn’t someone easy to deal with.

“Your manager said the new arrivals are here today. Where are they?” Elaine strutted into the store with her head held high. When she saw the silver fishtail dress Amelia was wearing, even she couldn’t help but be stunned, but her awe quickly gave way to envy.

Elaine erupted. “Lisa, what’s going on? How could you let someone else try on my dress?”

“Ms. Atkinson, your reserved dress is right here.” Lisa quickly presented a knee-length dress in a delicate shade of blush pink – a color Elaine usually adored.

But now, Elaine didn’t care about her reserved dress. Amelia’s silver dress outshone everything. Elaine thought, ‘Tomorrow is Mrs. Donna Kingsley’s birthday party, and with Landon attending, I must be the center of attention.’

“I want that one,” Elaine demanded, pointing imperiously at Amelia.

Amelia, browsing handbags with her back to the commotion, frowned slightly. She wondered, ‘Where did this spoiled brat come from?’

“Apologies, but that dress is one of a kind,” Lisa said diplomatically. “How about you try on the one you reserved, Ms. Atkinson?”

“I don’t care. I want that one. Tell her to take it off,” Elaine snapped, her tone brimming with arrogance.

Lisa was at a loss. “I…”

“Do you want me to call your manager and have you fired on the spot?” Elaine sneered, her voice dripping with menace.

Poor Lisa was caught between two high-profile customers and dared not say anything.

“Useless,” Elaine sneered scornfully. She raised her chin and marched straight toward Amelia. “Hey, the dress you’re wearing is mine. Take it off.”

“Hmm?” Amelia turned her head and looked at Elaine.

Having been raised by Melissa as nothing more than a tool for arranged marriages, Amelia was no stranger to petty dramas like this. Following her principle of politeness before confrontation, she smiled faintly, “Apologies, but I’ve already claimed this dress.”

“Then I’ll pay double for it. Take it off,” Elaine retorted.

Amelia smirked inwardly as Elaine tried to throw money at the problem. Unmoved, she said, “Ms. Atkinson, I’m afraid you won’t fit into a size S.”

Elaine’s expression froze momentarily before twisting in anger. “What does it matter if it fits? I’ll buy it just to let it sit in my closet.”

“Well, I’m not selling.” Amelia casually resumed browsing handbags. She thought, ‘I’ll never give up what I want to anyone anymore.’

“I had this reserved.” Elaine stepped before Amelia, clearly not planning to back down without a fight.

Amelia was losing her patience when a calm voice interrupted, “Ms. Atkinson.”

Elaine finally noticed Landon, who was seated in the lounge area. “Landon?” Her face lit up. She immediately replaced her scowl with a sweet smile, hurrying to Landon. “Thank goodness, Landon. You’re finally recovered.”

“Not fully. I can only manage in a wheelchair for now,” Landon replied, his tone composed, his expression unreadable.

“Don’t lose hope. I just know you’ll be back to your old self soon,” Elaine said fervently, her eyes fixated on Landon.

To Elaine’s surprise, Landon’s recent illness had only made him even more attractive. Her returning this time had clearly been the right move.

“Landon, why are you here alone? Are you picking out a dress for Mrs. Kingsley? I’d be happy to help,” Elaine offered eagerly.

“No, I’m here with my wife,” Landon replied nonchalantly.

Elaine’s smile froze.

Landon gestured to Amelia. “Honey, come over and meet Ms. Atkinson.”

“She’s Amelia Edwards?” Elaine asked, staring in disbelief at the woman in the silver fishtail dress.

“That’s right.” Landon extended his hand, his eyes warm and smiling as he watched Amelia approach. She walked gracefully in the silver dress, each step captivating Landon.

“Honey, this is Elaine Atkinson,” Landon said, holding Amelia’s hand with an unmistakable tenderness. “Did she scare you just now?”

“Not quite.” Amelia returned a polite, faint smile, her tone as calm as ever.

Elaine stared at the couple, her chest heaving with frustration. She thought, ‘Aren’t they supposed to be in a business arrangement? Everyone knows Amelia married Landon to claim her late mother’s belongings, while the Kingsleys needed a temporary lady of the house. But this? This looks way too affectionate.’

“Anything else catches your eye, Honey? Let’s get them all,” Landon asked.

“This dress will do.” Amelia tilted her head with a soft smile, and then added, “Though Ms. Atkinson seems to like it, too.”

“She can’t wear it,” Landon replied, patting Amelia’s hand.

Elaine’s face crumpled with indignation as she pinched her slight belly. “Landon, I am dieting, you know.”

“It still won’t fit,” Landon said flatly, pulling out his card and handing it to Lisa. “Add the bag my wife was looking at, too.”

“Of course, Mr. Kingsley,” Lisa replied, swiftly completing the purchase.

Elaine’s eyes gleamed with a sudden idea. She said coyly, “Landon, I spotted a dress I like, too. Why don’t you cover it for me?”

“You didn’t bring money?” Landon asked.

Elaine nodded.

“I’ll call your brother. A bank transfer only takes a minute,” Landon replied.

Elaine’s smile froze. Her face contorted as if she had just swallowed a fly. She thought, ‘That’s not what I meant at all.’

Amelia struggled to keep a straight face, almost laughing out loud. She thought, ‘This guy really has no clue. Elaine wants him to gift her the dress, not talk about bank transfers.’

Elaine tried again. “Landon, can’t you just buy me a dress? Come on, given the relationship between our families–”

“Stop right there. My wife is here. Watch what you say,” Landon interrupted firmly, his gaze softening as it shifted to Amelia.

Landon thought smugly, ‘Look how upright I am. Amelia must be so proud of me.’

Amelia’s polite smile faltered at Landon’s inner monologue. She thought, ‘Wait, he’s rejecting Elaine for my sake? Who said I needed him to stay faithful?’

“Go change, Honey. Let’s grab lunch after,” Landon said.

Amelia bit the inside of her cheek to keep from reacting and turned to head to the fitting room.

The moment Amelia left, Elaine crouched beside Landon and began her attack. “Landon, she’s not good enough for you. Before you, she was entangled with Zachary–”

“Ms. Atkinson, this is between my wife and me, and it’s none of your business,” Landon said coldly, his expression grim. “If you insult her again, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

Elaine said, “Landon, I’m just speaking the truth. Everyone in Norava knows she almost married Zachary. She’s not –”

“Brooke,” Landon called, cutting Elaine off.

Brooke, who had been waiting outside the store, immediately stepped in. Her expression was stern as she addressed Elaine. “Ms. Atkinson, please leave.”

“Landon,” Elaine stomped in frustration.

Landon’s icy glare bore into Elaine, commanding authority without raising his voice.

Elaine’s indignation gave way to a flicker of fear, but she refused to yield completely. ‘How could a man as perfect as Landon belong to anyone but me?’ she thought.

Elaine’s eyes brimmed with tears as she stomped again. “You don’t need to throw me out. I’ll buy my dress and leave.” With that, Elaine paid for her dress in a huff and stormed out, tears streaming down her face.

Moments later, Amelia emerged from the fitting room, catching sight of Elaine running out in tears. Puzzled, she asked, “What happened to her?”

“She badmouthed you, so I sent her away,” Landon replied.