Chapter 55 Ill Buy What Actually Fits Finished Lauren said nothing as she reached into the bag and pulled out the dress .
It was a simple red spaghetti strap dress basic .
safe , and looked like something youd grab last minute from a department store clearance rack Eten when she fakes it , she doesnt bother faking it well .
Wow , Madam Alice , how thoughtful of you .
Lauren said , her voice dripping with sarcasm .
She really leaned into the word thoughtful .
Alice heard the mockery loud and clear .
She gave an awkward smile .
If you dont like it , Laurie , Ill find you something else Lauren tossed the dress back without hesitation .
Tve still got healing wounds .
You really want me to wear this ? The welts David left with his belt had stopped hurting , but the bruises were still clear as day on her arms , her back , her thighs .
Her shoulder was the it on display jit e worst .
The wound had closed up , but the scarring was obvious .
In a dress like that , shed be putting all of Alice finally put it together .
Her face softened with guilt .
That was my mistake .
Im sorry , Laurie Forget the apology .
Just give me the money .
Ill go buy something myself whatever you picked doesnt even fit me .
Her body had been through too much .
Years of undernourishment during puberty had left her flat and underdeveloped , barely any curves , painfully thin .
The Bennetts all had model like bodies .
David was 6 foot 1.
Elliot 6 foot 2.
and Alice was 5 foot 7.
With genes like that , Lauren should ve easily hit 5 foot 7 .
But she barely made it to 5 foot 3 .
If not for her face a perfect blend of Davids strong features and Alices elegance no one would believe she was their biological daughter .
Willow .
And the dress Alice handed her ? Yeah , that was never for her .
It was obviously bought to fir Will Willow was tall and curvy , with the kind of body you could tell had been pampered .
She was slim , sure , but not like Lauren- Lauren looked breakable .
There was no way that dress was gonna fit .
Alice flushed bright red .
Embarrassment burned through her .
She couldnt stand to look Lauren in the eye anymore .
She quickly pulled out a card and shoved it into Laurens hand .
T theres 15,000 dollars on this .
Just take it .
If its not enough , let me know .
And with that , she practically bolted .
Lauren threw on something casual , grabbed the card , and walked out of the Bennett house without looking back .
She took a cab straight to the mall but she didnt go anywhere near the dress stores .
Instead , she made a beeline for a high- end suit shop .
A suit was the smartest option .
It looked formal and polished , and more importantly , it would cover all the bruises on her body .
After a quick chat with the sales associate , Lauren picked out a black suit and headed into the fitting room .
She was just stepping out to check herself in the mirror when she overheard a tense voice nearby .
A well dressed man with rimless glasses was frowning at one of the store employees .
Theres really no way to fix it ? The employee gave the suit a careful once over , then sighed , Sir, this is a really high end fabric .
And the hole looks like it came from a cigarette burn .
Fixing it so its completely unnoticeable would take a high level specialist someone who works .
in couture repairs .
Thats just not something we can do in house .
Chapter 55 Ill Buy What Actually Fits Finished The mans face dropped .
Great .
Just great .
Our CEO has a huge event tonight , and this suit was custom made just for it .
Theres no way we can get it back to Balewood in time for repairs .
The associate looked genuinely apologetic .
Im so sorry , sir .
Its beyond what we can handle here .
Maybe try another store ? Ive already checked every reputable tailor in Hoverdale .
Lauren glanced at the suit in the guys arms .
Shed seen plenty of designer pieces during her time with the Bennetts but this suit ? It was on a whole different level .
The fabric alone was next level , and the tailoring was flawless .
This was the kind of suit that was made specifically for one person .
You wouldnt find a second one like it anywhere .
Even if you could fix it .
itd take serious time and cost a small fortune probably starting at five figures .
Maybe shed been looking a little too long , because the man with the glasses noticed her Lauren was standing there in the black suit shed just changed into .
The fit hugged her narrow waist perfectly .
Her shoulders , though naturally slim .
looked sharp and strong thanks to the structured cut .
The black fabric made her pale skin pop .
and the smooth neckline flowed up to her long neck .
She had that clean , modern , take no crap look polished , but not trying too hard .
The guy mustve thought she was the manager , because he came straight over , hopeful and desperate .
You really cant fix it ? Ill pay whatever it takes just as long as its done before tonight Lauren blinked , caught off guard .
He thought I worked there .
She opened her mouth to say no but then she looked at him .
He actually needed her .
And for once being needed felt … kind of good .
It made saying no a little harder Send Gifts 250