Dolores couldn’t hide her surprise. It wasn’t because he had made the dress, but because he had managed to find real watered gauze.
She carefully placed the dress back in the box and asked, “I’m curious. Where did you manage to find this fabric?”
Charles asked, his tone deliberate, “Do you like it?”
He had intentionally brought this fabric to her, knowing that all fashion designers had a love for fine materials. He didn’t think Dolores would be an exception.
Dolores was genuinely interested, but she didn’t show it too much. She kept her head lowered, continuing to rub her ankle.
Charles’s gaze gradually fell on her foot. She had fair skin, and her feet were equally fair and delicate. Her heels had a rosy hue. The ancient sayings often praised women’s feet, calling them “slender jade feet.” That phrase flashed through Charles’s mind.
Feeling his gaze on her feet, Dolores reached out and pulled the quilt to cover them.
Charles tilted his head slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed for being lost in thought while gazing at her feet.
“I know a master who can produce this fabric,” he finally said.
“Do you?” Dolores widened her eyes, excitedly interrupting him before he could finish his sentence. “Where is this master? I’d love to meet him or her!”
Charles smiled, pleased that she was interested.
“Put on the dress first. After the business dinner, I’ll introduce you to the master,” Charles said as he operated the wheelchair, addressing the stylist who was following him. “She’s in your hands now.”
“Please rest assured,” the stylist replied, holding a cosmetics case in her hands. She had been studying Dolores carefully earlier and already had several stunning styles in mind. Dolores was naturally beautiful, making it easy for the stylist to enhance her looks.
Dolores wasn’t used to heavy makeup and usually preferred not to wear any, except for special occasions. “It’ll be fine if Amelia helps me with my makeup.”
Hiring a stylist wasn’t necessary.
Charles smiled. “It’s important to me. I want my date to be the most stunning woman at the dinner.”
Dolores considered asking him to hire an actress since actresses were known for their beauty. However, she had agreed to be his date and he would introduce her to the master who could produce the watered gauze fabric. So she stood up from the bed and sat in front of the dresser, ready to be styled.
“I don’t like heavy makeup,” Dolores said, making it clear to the stylist that she wanted a more natural look.
The stylist wasn’t offended by the reminder. She smiled and replied, “Don’t worry, Miss. Not everyone suits heavy makeup. It depends on one’s aura.”
The stylist was easygoing, and Dolores felt relieved.
“I’ve styled many people before, and some of them were quite impressive. But you, you’ve given me endless inspiration just by looking at you,” the stylist said, her gaze fixed on Dolores.
Dolores didn’t feel elated by the compliment. Instead, it made her feel melancholic.
She missed her son and daughter dearly. She hadn’t been apart from them for such a long time since they were born.
“You don’t seem to be very happy. Is it because Mr. White can’t walk?” the stylist asked, noticing Dolores’s sadness.
Dolores looked up at her.
“Mr. White may be in a wheelchair, but he is an exceptional man in terms of capability and appearance. Many women want his attention…”
“Indeed. I agree,” Amelia interjected, unable to contain herself. She interrupted the stylist before she could finish her sentence. “Young Master is extraordinary. Many women would love to marry him.”
Dolores looked up at Amelia, and even the stylist glanced over, realizing that Amelia had a crush on Charles.
It was an open secret.
Amelia suddenly realized that she had become too enthusiastic. She quickly explained, “Last time, the county magistrate’s daughter kept pursuing Young Master, but he rejected her. Now he’s treating you so well, so why aren’t you happy?”
Dolores wasn’t in the mood to explain anything to Amelia. Amelia wasn’t a bad person, but she was too straightforward, and it would be pointless to explain anything to her.
Amelia idolized Young Master in every way and believed that no woman deserved him.
The stylist smiled but remained silent. The young girl couldn’t hide her thoughts well. Thankfully, she was a maid here. If she were employed elsewhere, she might have been fired several times over.
Amelia was too inflexible.
The stylist carefully studied Dolores’ features while combing her hair. Dolores wasn’t a stunning beauty, but the longer the stylist looked at her, the more beauty she found in Dolores. All her features were attractive.
The stylist used a curling iron to create big waves in Dolores’ black hair, and then skillfully lifted two strands of hair from the sides of her ears to the back of her head. The short hair on her forehead casually fell to the corners of her eyes. Dolores had fair skin, so there was no need for foundation or powder. However, the stylist still applied a light dusting of powder for the overall look.
Without any heavy eye makeup, the stylist used a brown base and red sparkling powder to make Dolores’ double-edged eyelids more defined. She delicately brushed and lifted Dolores’ eyes with eyeliner, giving them a captivating charm.
For her lips, the stylist applied a cameo shade that wasn’t too bright, red, or light, perfectly suiting Dolores.
“I love the shape of your lips,” the stylist couldn’t help but praise when applying the lipstick.
The final touch was putting on the dress and shoes.
A pair of silver high heels adorned with countless shimmering diamonds had been prepared for Dolores. They sparkled like crystal shoes.
Amelia couldn’t contain her excitement. “They look like Cinderella’s glass slippers. Young Master is her prince.”
The stylist wanted to ask if she had ever seen a prince in a wheelchair, but she held back. Criticizing Charles wouldn’t end well with Amelia.
Dolores glanced at Amelia and let out a small sigh. If Amelia wanted to capture Charles’s heart, she needed to change. But Amelia was too self-deprecating and unwilling to change. It was clear that Charles wouldn’t fall in love with her. Dolores took the dress and headed to the bathroom.
The dress itself was simple yet elegant, devoid of any excessive adornments. The blouse-style top featured two straps that crossed over at the front. Around the waist, there were also two straps, one originating from the left side and looping around the right side of her waist, while the other came from the left side as well. The latter strap was longer, draping gracefully above her knees, while the dress’s hemline reached down to her ankles.
The crisscrossing of the two straps naturally formed a deep V-neckline, revealing a subtle glimpse of her ample bosom, igniting endless imagination in the minds of onlookers.
With the stylist’s expert touch, Dolores maintained her inherent purity while exuding a newfound charm. Her graceful and refined demeanor caught the attention of those around her. Clad in the black dress, she appeared both aloof and self-assured, radiating a captivating intelligence that entranced others.
Emerging from the bathroom, Dolores elicited astonishment even from the stylist and Amelia, both of whom were women.
Having attended countless banquets and parties, Dolores carried herself with ease, embodying grace and poise.
Chuckling at their stunned expressions, she teased, “Is there something wrong with my face? Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Oh! Your shoes!” Amelia snapped back to reality, bending down to place the shoes on Dolores’ feet.
Dolores lifted her feet and slipped them into the shoes. They fit perfectly, and the heel height was pleasantly comfortable.
“Let’s go. Young Master is waiting for you outside,” Amelia said, extending her arm for Dolores to take.
Since Dolores’ ankle hadn’t fully recovered, she accepted Amelia’s support and hooked her arm with hers.
In the living room, Charles was on a call. Startled by the clicking sound, he turned around, only to be captivated by Dolores’ transformed appearance.
He tightened his grip on the phone, struggling to suppress his infatuation. Speaking to the person on the other end, he managed to say, “I’ll be right there.”
Hanging up the phone, he addressed Dolores, “Let’s go.”
Dolores let go of Amelia and walked toward Charles. Grabbing the handles of the wheelchair, she offered, “Please, let me push it for you.”
Charles tilted his head and gazed at her intently. He wanted to compliment her beauty, but the words failed to escape his lips.
As they stepped out, the driver assisted Charles in getting into the car. The vehicle had been specially modified, equipped with automatic telescopic pedals on the ground and doors. The wheelchair could easily glide into the car along the extended pedals, offering great convenience.
Once the wheelchair was secured, the driver exited the vehicle and helped Dolores settle in.
“What kind of business dinner are we attending? And where are we headed now?” Dolores inquired, ensuring she was well-informed to avoid any missteps later.
“It’s the annual party of the White Group. We’re heading to the White Group’s hotel,” Charles replied, glancing back at Dolores. “The manager mentioned that a few unfamiliar faces from City B have checked into the hotel. I wonder if you know them.”
Dolores couldn’t help but clench her fists, though she maintained a calm demeanor. “Although I was born in City B, I didn’t grow up there. I don’t know many people in the city. It seems quite coincidental, doesn’t it?”
Internally, however, she felt a flicker of hope.
Could it be Matthew who had come to find her?