Chapter 29: Heather's Loss

Annabel smiled sweetly at Rupert. "My pleasure," she replied to his invitation to dine.

"Sit down, Anna. Dine with us," he said.

Bruce, pleased to have his late wife's dog back, was in a good mood. "Jaxen, ask someone to bring a set of cutlery for Anna."

"Yes, sir," Jaxen replied, immediately obeying.

Bruce moved his chair, gesturing for Annabel to sit beside Rupert.

"Thank you, Bruce," she said, taking her seat and smiling.

"Thank you for bringing Dolly back, Anna. It means so much to me," Bruce said, embracing Dolly tightly, his eyes glistening with gratitude. Dolly had been missing for a long time, and Bruce wouldn't have seen her again if not for Annabel. He'd worried about explaining her disappearance to his late wife in the afterlife. "I just found Dolly by chance," Annabel said, lowering her head to pet the cleaner, healthier dog. Dolly's soft fur felt good, and her wagging tail showed her affection for Annabel. "I say destiny brought you together," Bruce commented happily, stroking his beard.

Heather, for the hundredth time, was intensely jealous. Bruce's affection for Annabel was infuriating. Her day had been disastrous. First, Annabel's gift to Bruce overshadowed hers; then, her dress was exposed as a fake; and now, Annabel had found favor by returning Dolly. Heather's plan to win Bruce's affection had failed miserably.

"Anna, eat your fill," Bruce urged kindly.

Annabel nodded and began eating. Then, she saw a peeled prawn on her plate. Surprised, she looked up to see Rupert smiling. "Eat it. I don't like prawns," he said gracefully.

Annabel was stunned. Why would a nobleman like Rupert do this for her? Perhaps it was because she'd found Dolly. "Thank you," she finally said with a smile.

Heather, watching with venomous eyes, gritted her teeth, her fingers tightening around her fork. Rupert had refused a prawn she'd peeled for him, yet he was treating Annabel like royalty. She'd lost to Annabel again. Frustrated beyond measure, she dug her fingernails into her palms, vowing revenge on Annabel.

After lunch, Bruce went to his room for a nap, Rupert left for work, and Annabel went shopping. She planned to meet Marcel later. Her clothes were damp and rumpled from retrieving Dolly from the vet, so she needed to change. She went to RD Boutique in Douburgh, remembering that they'd recently signed a contract with Leo Studio and should carry the Elsa collection.

Upon entering, she saw a beautiful Elsa dress in the window. Intrigued, she asked the sales clerk to try it on. The clerk, after appraising Annabel's messy attire, showed obvious disgust. RD Boutique catered to wealthy and famous women, and Annabel, not dressed in flashy designer clothes, was clearly judged as poor.

"I'm sorry, miss," the clerk said coldly. "This dress is newly released by Leo Studio. It's the most expensive in the boutique, and only those who can afford it are allowed to try it on."

Annabel frowned. The clerk's assumption angered her. She could afford every item in the store! "Only those who can afford it? Fine, I'll buy it!" she declared, producing a black VIP card and placing it on the counter.

The clerk recognized the card immediately—a rare, unrestricted card used only by the top 1% of society. She reassessed Annabel, noticing the quality fabrics of her rumpled clothes, her beautiful skin and face. Perhaps she was a wealthy woman keeping a low profile? Fearing a potential offense, the clerk quickly changed her demeanor.

"Here you go, miss," she said politely, handing Annabel the dress. "The fitting room is over there."

Annabel, with a snort, took the dress and went to the fitting room. She was awestruck by its quality, clearly the product of Anika's hard work. It fit perfectly. Stepping out, she proudly declared, "Wow! My studio really makes the best clothes!"

Just then, a familiar, arrogant voice interrupted. "Bring me the Elsa dress from Leo Studio!"

It was Heather, accompanied by Bella, her accomplice from the banquet incident. Heather, a VIP customer, was immediately greeted by the clerk.

"Miss Norman, this way, please!"

"Bring me the Elsa dress," Heather repeated impatiently.

The clerk, apologetically, replied, "I'm sorry, Miss Norman. Someone just bought it."

Heather was stunned. She'd come straight from Bruce's, humiliated after her fake dress was exposed, wanting to buy the Elsa dress to avoid further embarrassment. She demanded to know who had bought it. The clerk gestured towards Annabel, who stood in the dress.