Chapter 494
Just as the saying goes, “Beauty is all that matters.”
In an instant, the shallow friendships between these socialites and Aeolian shattered. They gathered around Maeve and began chattering. Maeve was engulfed by the girls’ excitement; their flattery nearly swept her away.
Aeolian’s expression soured as if she’d swallowed a lemon. She had just mocked Maeve’s designs as tacky, but the socialites were rushing to book appointments for dress customization with Maeve. Their excitement was like a slap in the face to Aeolian. Aeolian’s dark eyes fixed on Maeve, but she stayed silent. No one knew what she was scheming.
The birthday bash began soon after. The birthday gift Ella prepared won Jean’s favor and stole the spotlight, even earning her praise from Harry. “This is very thoughtful of you, Ella. Come to the company and lend me a hand from next week onwards,” Harry said. His words caused a stir; the other Morris family members lost their composure.
Even though Ella was the eldest daughter, the Morris family had a tradition of passing the family business only to sons. This meant that no matter how much she was favored, she wouldn’t get a chance to take over the business. Therefore, her cousins, who had the right to inherit the family business, didn’t take her seriously at first. But Harry’s words made it clear he was prepared to break this tradition, threatening their positions in the family business. Their faces turned pale as they eyed Ella with caution. Ella always seemed nonchalant about the family business, but it turned out she was the most ambitious of them all.
Ella hadn’t expected that the birthday gift she’d prepared with genuine intentions for Jean would lead to such a pleasant surprise. Her cousins always mocked her, saying her status as the eldest daughter meant her duty would be nothing more than forming a marriage alliance. Now that Harry was willing to give her an opportunity, Ella was determined to show her worth. If not for Maeve, this opportunity wouldn’t have been possible. For a brief moment, Ella’s gratitude was almost immeasurable.
On the other side, Maeve had deliberately sought a secluded spot to eat in peace, but Ella somehow found her. Maeve followed Ella to greet Jean and Harry, politely offering her regards.
Jean looked at Maeve with deep admiration and said, “I never expected the designer of ‘Wings of Love’ to be so young. It’s such an intricate piece of work, comparable to art itself. I thought it was created by a much older and more experienced designer.”
“Mrs. Morris, you’re too kind. I still have much to learn and can’t hold a candle to the seasoned designers in the industry,” Maeve replied humbly.
Jean nodded and got straight to the point. “I’m absolutely in love with the gown. Ms. Reese, would you consider letting it go?”
Before Maeve could respond, Ella’s cousins started chiming in with mockery. “What’s this, Ella? The birthday gift you prepared for Grandma is rented and needs to be returned after the party?” one sneered, their voice dripping with sarcasm. Another scoffed, “Isn’t this just setting Grandma up for disappointment? How did you even have the audacity to present this? You’re so thoughtless, can Grandpa really trust you to let you into the company?”
Maeve was stunned and glanced at Ella. Ella was visibly anxious, gazing at Maeve with imploring eyes, silently hoping she would agree to Jean’s request.
Ella was competent; all she needed was a chance to prove she was no less capable than her cousins, who were born with the privilege to inherit the family business. She was indignant that she was denied the chance to prove herself simply because of her gender. This opportunity was hard to come by; Ella wasn’t going to let it go easily. She was too eager to seize this opportunity; in her haste, she forgot Maeve actually had nothing to do with the Morris family feud.
The dispute over the Morris family inheritance, the infighting between family members, and whether Ella could participate in the family business were all internal matters. It wasn’t Maeve’s obligation to bear Ella’s burdens. Maeve had every reason to decline Jean’s request; the terms were stated clearly in the gown rental agreement. Yet the look in Ella’s eyes—filled with ambition, struggle, and the helpless despair of someone trapped in a mire they couldn’t escape—kept Maeve from voicing her refusal.
Just as Maeve remained silent, Aeolian, seated at the next table, chimed in sweetly, “Mrs. Morris, you truly have an eye for talent. Ms. Reese not only creates exceptional work but is incredibly capable herself. Take ‘Wings of Love,’ for instance. There was a tear, and she managed to fix it right away. If you were to purchase it and any mishaps happened, I’m confident Ms. Reese would guarantee great after-sales support.”
After that remark, the way everyone looked at Maeve and Ella grew noticeably strange. They started wondering how poor the quality of the gown was that it needed mending. For them, when designer clothes they owned were soiled, they’d just throw them out; it would be embarrassing to wear mended clothes.
Ella frowned and said, “Don’t you think you’re a little too impolite, Ms. Soar?”
“I was just stating the facts. Did I say anything wrong that made you upset?” Aeolian responded innocently.
Maeve realized Aeolian’s previous silence was a ruse; she’d been laying a trap all along.
15:31 Mon, 6 Jan AOR Chap 494
With so many prominent figures from various worlds attending the Buy Back Beanies’ event, the Buy Back Beanies’ reputation would take a blow if Maeve couldn’t handle the issue wisely. Maeve noticed the faint anger on Jean’s face and began responding calmly. “Actually, ‘Wings of Love’ is the centerpiece of my studio; I wasn’t planning to sell it. There are quite a few details on the gown that haven’t been perfected yet as a designer, I naturally strive for perfection in my work.”
After hearing Maeve’s explanation, Jean softened her tone and asked, “But Ms. Soar mentioned the gown had a tear?”
Maeve continued, “That was something I hadn’t finalized yet. After receiving Ms. Morris’s call inviting me here, I recalled the deep bond between you and Mr. Morris, your love that has stood the test of time. So I thought of embroidering a pair of swans to symbolize eternal devotion.”
Maeve smiled faintly. She slipped on her white gloves to take out ‘Wings of Love,’ pointing out the pair of swans to Jean. The lifelike pair of swans nestled among the intertwined branches and leaves, adding an elegant charm to the gown.
One of the Morris family girls scrutinized the gown and asked, “Didn’t she say there’s a hole? Where exactly is it?”
The boy next to her deliberately lowered his voice and said, “The tear is in her heart.”
Aeolian went silent. It was obvious everyone was trying to hold back their laughter because they couldn’t afford to offend Aeolian.
“Miss Soar probably mistook the unfinalized detail for a flaw, which is understandable given her limited experience with fashion design. After all, I’m a small-time designer; there’s no reason for her to intentionally make my life difficult,” Maeve said calmly. Her words were the final blow, leaving Aeolian visibly embarrassed.
Jean and Harry’s faces darkened. If Aeolian wasn’t targeting the designer of the gown, her goal must have been to embarrass Ella—no different from trying to embarrass the entire Morris family.
15:31 Mon, 6 Jan & O Chapter 495