Chapter 6
Maura lifted a dress with practiced delicacy, as if it were a rare artifact. “Lloyd Group’s anniversary party is in a couple of days. My mom picked out the gown for you,” she said with forced generosity. She let out a dramatic gasp, her voice dripping with fake admiration. “This is a custom Thom & Gottex design, worth over three hundred thousand dollars. Even my mom hasn’t splurged on something this extravagant for me!” Her eyes widened theatrically, her words hanging in the air like the final flourish of a grand performance.
Aurora glanced at the dress in Maura’s hands. It was undeniably luxurious. But Thom & Gottex was known for bold, mature designs, better suited for women in their late twenties or thirties. Aurora, about to turn eighteen next month, would look completely out of place in something so overtly mature—it would make her seem gaudy rather than graceful. She saw right through Maura and Stacy’s scheme. Nevertheless, Aurora took the dress, her expression one of feigned surprise, her excitement perfectly crafted.
Maura smirked with satisfaction. As a socialite, she understood the importance of fashion and image. If Aurora wore something unsuitable, it could easily portray her as someone with tasteless sensibilities, reducing her to the image of a nouveau riche. That would be the first blow in their campaign. Moreover, the dress was incredibly expensive. If anything went wrong, no one could blame the Crawford family; Aurora would shoulder the fallout.
On the day of the party, Aurora played her role perfectly, slipping into the gown as planned. As she descended the grand staircase, Maura and Stacy watched with barely concealed delight. Aurora wobbled in the high heels like a newborn fawn, teetering with every step. More than once, she nearly tripped. She had paired the luxurious gown with an ill-suited, furry shawl and wore her hair in a messy, half-hearted style. To make matters worse, her makeup was almost nonexistent, a stark contrast to the dress’s opulence. The three-hundred-thousand-dollar gown looked less like haute couture and more like something from a discount store.
As Aurora approached, Maura and Stacy exchanged a smug glance. Maura stepped forward, her voice laced with phony admiration. “You look stunning tonight,” she said, barely concealing her anticipation of everyone seeing Aurora’s ridiculous getup. Maura herself wasn't dressed as expensively, but her outfit and makeup were impeccably tailored, radiating a carefully calculated elegance.
Aurora, unfazed by Maura’s insincerity, barely acknowledged her. “Let’s go,” she said coolly. Maura’s smile faltered for a second as she was again brushed off. She watched Aurora walk away, her heart simmering with resentment. Keep your head up for now, she thought bitterly. Let’s see who comes to your rescue when you make a fool of yourself later.
Stacy patted Maura’s hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry about her. Tonight, the Newton family will be there. You haven’t seen Mrs. Newton in ages. Make sure to catch up.”
“And remember,” Stacy added in a low voice, “if it weren’t for the Newton family needing a favor from you, this engagement might not have happened. It won’t hurt to charm them a little more.”
A sly smile crept across Maura’s face. “Don’t worry; Mom, I know.”
Outside the opulent mansion, the driveway was packed with luxury cars gleaming under the estate’s grand lights. It seemed every high-end vehicle in the city had gathered there, their sleek exteriors a testament to the wealth and status of the guests.
Damon stood at the entrance with his father, greeting guests. When the Crawford family’s car pulled up, he straightened, a spark of excitement in his eyes. He hurried to open the car door, eager to impress.
“Mr. and Mrs. Crawford, so wonderful to see you. Thank you for coming. And Maura,” Damon said, his voice softening as he extended his hand, “I’m really glad you could make it.”
Damon, already the school heartthrob, seemed even more dashing tonight. The attention he, the charming heir of the Lloyd family, lavished on Maura didn’t go unnoticed by the nearby girls, their eyes gleaming with envy.
Maura’s chin tilted up slightly as she took Damon’s hand, savoring the admiring glances. She and Damon walked into the grand hall together, the picture-perfect couple.
“Maura, where’s Aurora?” Damon asked, scanning the crowd with a slight frown.
Maura’s lips curled into a subtle smirk. “She didn’t ride with us. I’m sure she’s on her way, though.”
Chapter 7
Gathering their usual entourage, Damon couldn’t help but notice Alison Andrews eyeing Maura curiously. “Maura, why aren’t you wearing that dress you…”
Maura’s expression altered, a hint of frustration seeping through. “Well, Aurora picked a dress that cost over three hundred thousand dollars, so… she left…”
“Oh, no worries, you look stunning in this one,” Alison chimed in, quick to comfort her. “But honestly, dropping that much on a single dress just for her? She didn’t even consider you…”
Maura sighed dramatically. “You know how she is. She used to live in the sticks. I guess she thinks expensive automatically means good. I even told her the Thom & Gottex gown wasn’t Aurora’s style, but Aurora insisted, so what could I do! Plus, she was so focused on the dress that she didn’t even bother picking out my jewelry.”
Damon leaned in slightly. “Everyone knows that cars are for the poor and watches are for the rich. But a dress without jewels? That’s just…”
Alison burst out laughing. “Damon, you’ve hit the nail on the head. She’s as clueless as they come.” Maura giggled.
“But seriously, Maura, where is Aurora? She hasn’t shown up yet, and we’ve been waiting for ages. You don’t think she’s chickened out, do you?” Alison asked, glancing around.
Maura mentally rolled her eyes. Aurora nervous? Yeah, right, she thought bitterly, recalling how this girl, fresh out of the countryside, should have been timid and insecure. Instead, from the day Aurora had stepped into their house, she had carried herself like she owned the place. And Maura hated that fierce, defiant gaze. She wanted to break that unyielding spirit, to see Aurora kneeling at her feet, no longer able to look at her with those proud eyes that made her feel so insecure.
“No,” Maura replied, shaking her head with a forced smile. “Aurora’s never nervous. She’s got confidence.”
Alison snorted. “Confidence! More like cluelessness.”
As they continued chatting, a sudden gasp echoed from the entrance. “Oh my God, who’s that?”
The group, drawn by the stir at the door, turned. Striding in was a girl dressed in a stunning Thom & Gottex gown, looking like she stepped out of a fashion fairytale. Her hair was elegantly swept up, exposing her long, graceful neck. The deep V-neck dress was tastefully altered with a luxurious silk ribbon tied in a large bow, giving her an air of playful elegance with a hint of allure. The only accessory she wore was a delicate tiara that glittered softly.
“Wow… she’s gorgeous,” someone whispered in awe.
“I didn’t know Thom & Gottex could be worn like that,” another girl murmured, eyes wide with admiration.
A nearby guy was captivated. “That tiara looks like it’s dripping with stardust.”
But Maura’s face drained of color as she recognized the girl and froze in disbelief. It was Aurora. Gone was the awkward, ill-fitting country girl Maura had been counting on. Aurora was breathtaking, radiating confidence with every step. Maura felt a pang of inadequacy, the insecurity she hated creeping up. How could Aurora pull this off so effortlessly? she wondered desperately.
And it wasn’t just the dress. It was the way Aurora carried herself—like she was born to wear it. After living a whole other life, Aurora, at twenty-seven, had learned to command any room, to own every inch of a gown like this one.
Aurora glided up to them, her high heels clicking softly against the floor. She looked like a princess stepping out of a forgotten era, her every movement brimming with regal charm.
“How did you…” Maura stammered, struggling to believe what she was seeing.
“What’s wrong?” Aurora smiled sweetly, but the mocking gleam in her eyes made it clear—Maura had been played, and she knew it. Maura’s face twisted in embarrassment, the gasps and murmurs of admiration from the crowd only adding insult to injury.
She was furious, her eyes welling up with tears, but she stood her ground, refusing to be the first to retreat. Her fingers clenched so tightly around her dress that it crumpled in her grip. With a deep breath, she forced a smile, though her pride was shattered. Looping her arm through Aurora’s, she tried to mask her frustration with fake enthusiasm. “Wow, this dress… you were right. Only you could pull off something this expensive.”
She shot a glance at Alison, who quickly caught on and looked toward Samara Newton standing nearby. The Newton family, one of the most influential in Merida, was no stranger to luxury. Samara Newton, the beloved heiress, was practically royalty among their circle and a die-hard fan of Thom & Gottex. Unfortunately for her, she was also dressed in one of the brand’s gowns tonight. Aurora had almost completely stolen her thunder, and the icy look in Samara’s eyes said it all.