Chapter 718
Upstairs, Shelia stomped on the fabric with her heels, as if trying to grind it into the floor. Her eyes burned with anger and humiliation as she ordered, “Go find out what Debra is wearing.” She had seen Debra wearing the same style the other day. Yet, her clothes were disastrous. Yesterday, she had even confirmed that her dress cost much more than Debra’s. The doubt gnawed at her, fueling her anger.
Sophie, hiding her disdain for Shelia, pulled out her phone and showed her the latest photos from the Houston family’s engagement party. In the pictures, Debra looked radiant. She was wearing an elegant, floor-length mermaid gown that hugged her figure perfectly. The dress was understated yet sophisticated, with subtle diamond accents at the hem that sparkled like a constellation of stars. The same design yielded two completely different outcomes.
Seeing how effortlessly graceful Debra appeared in the photos, Shelia blushed with fury. “It’s her. She must’ve bribed the designer to make me look ridiculous,” she spat. Her dress had cost seven figures, and now it looked like nothing more than cheap fabric. “Take the dress back. I want a refund,” Shelia screamed. “They ruined my engagement party, and they’ll pay for it.”
Facing her tantrum, Sophie remained composed. “Ms. Blair, this is a franchise boutique. Each design is crafted under a strict contract. The sample and the final product were approved by you. A refund might be difficult.”
Recalling her earlier mortification, Shelia clenched her teeth. “They fooled me, and I want my refund. I will soon be Mrs. Nichols. They won’t dare cross me.”
Sophie rolled her eyes, disgusted by Shelia’s arrogance. Becoming Mrs. Nichols didn’t mean she could do whatever she wanted. The store had followed the contract to the letter. If Shelia made a fuss about it, the Nichols family would be disgraced along with her.
“Ms. Blair, I’d advise against causing too much of a scene. After all…” Sophie began, trying to reason with her.
But Shelia struck her across the face. “Who are you telling me what to do?”
Sophie’s eyes widened in disbelief. She had worked for the Nichols family for years, and even Melody had never raised a hand against her.
Shelia continued to scoff. “Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been fawning over Debra this whole time. Too bad for you, she’s no longer part of the Nichols family. Maybe you should pack your bags and go serve the Houston family instead. I’m sick of looking at you.”
Enraged, Sophie struck back.
Shelia was taken off guard, barking, “How dare you hit me?”
Sophie shot back, “I work for the Nichols family, not for you. You have no right to treat me like this.” Shelia, shaking with fury, screamed at the top of her lungs, “You’re finished! Security! Come and get her!”