Chapter 27

Gerry brought Alicia in at the last minute to help her choose a dress. Unfamiliar with high-end events, she relied entirely on the shop assistant’s suggestions. They finally selected a snow-white mermaid gown, adorned with silver threads, as pure as freshly fallen snow.

The shop assistant smiled. “Miss Bennett, anything would look lovely on you. But this is special—a limited edition, the only one in Warrington for the next three months. It would be stunning on someone like you.”

Alicia felt embarrassed by the compliment. “Okay, I’ll try it on.”

Just as she reached for the robe, Lilliana snatched it. “Is he really the only one in Warrington?” she asked smugly. “I’ll take it, then.”

Alicia stared, confused, but maintained her composure. “Miss Green, I arrived first.”

Lilliana’s smile barely faltered. “I like it. I’ll pay more.”

The saleswoman froze, unsure how to proceed. “Miss Green, we have other dresses that might suit your taste. I could even have one custom-made.”

Lilliana insisted on the dress Alicia had chosen. “I told you I’m willing to pay more! Did you not hear me?”

The shop assistant glanced at the men behind them: Joshua Yates and Gerry Hopkins—powerful men no one dared to cross.

Alicia remained silent. Joshua looked at her briefly. “Mr. Hopkins, I’ve spoiled Lilliana. She always gets what she wants. Could Miss Bennett choose another dress?”

Lilliana smiled, feeling victorious. Alicia’s expression remained unchanged. Gerry smirked. “Miss Bennett? That’s rather formal, isn’t it? It hasn’t been that long since your divorce, and you’ve already changed how you address her.”

Joshua’s lips twitched, but he continued. “It’s an unfortunate coincidence. If you’ll allow it, I’ll buy Miss Bennett’s dress as well, as an apology to Lilliana.”

Alicia’s lips curved slightly. What a hypocrite. “First come, first served. I want this dress, and I won’t settle for anything else.”

The two men watched silently; one with an unreadable expression, the other amused, eager to see how things unfolded.

Unwilling to lose, Lilliana asked, “What’s the price?”

“Miss Green, it’s $660,000,” the clerk replied.

Lilliana scoffed. “I’ll offer a million.” She cast a disdainful glance at Alicia. Since marrying Joshua, Alicia hadn’t received a cent from him; she couldn’t possibly match this.

“Two million,” Alicia countered.

Gerry’s eyes lit up. “Alice, you’re covering the expenses, right?” he asked.

Alice nodded, smiling calmly. Joshua’s face darkened, irritated by the unnecessary competition.

Lilliana raised her offer. “Three million.”

“Five million,” Alice replied instantly.

“Eight million!” Lilliana shot back.

Alice paused, her gaze briefly returning to the dress. Certain of victory, Lilliana told the clerk, “Take it. It’s mine.”

Alicia stepped forward, stopping Lilliana. Taking a deep breath, she said quietly but firmly, “I’ll pay ten million.”

Lilliana grimaced, incredulous. “Can you really afford ten million?”

Alicia bit her lip. “But, Miss Green, I really want this dress. I’d even add another million if you’d let me have it.”

Lilliana’s laughter filled the room, her arrogance intensifying. She rejected Alicia’s offer. “I’ll pay fifteen million. This dress will be mine.”

Alicia’s expression softened; her eyebrows relaxed as she smiled. “Okay,” she said dismissively. “It’s yours.”

Lilliana froze. Gerry erupted in laughter. He glanced at Joshua, whose expression had darkened, adding with a grimace, “Miss Green certainly knows how to spend.”

It was nonsense. Lilliana realized too late she’d fallen into Alicia’s trap. Frustration consumed her. The dress cost just over six hundred thousand; its production cost was less than one hundred thousand, and now she owed fifteen million. She felt foolish. Yet, her pride prevented her from backing down.

Meanwhile, Alicia browsed and chose a light blue dress, adorned with small diamonds. “I’ll take this one,” she announced.

Lilliana clenched her jaw. Joshua, with a grim expression, said to Lilliana, “Next time, don’t be so reckless.”

Lilliana pouted. “That bitch set me up!”

Joshua frowned. “Watch your words. Remember who you are.”

Gerry cleared his throat. “Mr. Yates, didn’t you say you’d cover Alicia’s dress as well?”

Joshua felt a lump in his throat. “Yes, I did.”

Alicia didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the dress and walked out.

In the car, Gerry laughed at Lilliana and Joshua’s expressions. “It’s a shame Caden wasn’t here to witness this,” she added. “You should see who he’s been spending his money on.”

Gerry immediately called Caden, enthusiastically recounting the scene. Caden interrupted. “Do you know any porn sites?”

Silence fell. Gerry looked at Alicia, quickly turning off the speakerphone and whispering, “Yeah, why?”

Caden snapped, “Go look them up and stop calling me, you idiot. You’re getting on my nerves.”