Aurora brought Heather and Ian to a shopping mall, leaving both of them puzzled.
“Boss, why did you bring us to a place like this?” Heather asked hesitantly.
“To give you both a makeover, of course,” Aurora replied matter-of-factly. “From today onward, you are my right-hand people. When you go out to close deals, do you think anyone will take you seriously dressed like this? I know you’re both practical people, but remember this-you’re going to deal with influential individuals. Your attire is your first impression, and it represents not just you, but our company. Starting today, you need to undergo a complete transformation.”
Heather and Ian exchanged uncertain glances. Coming from modest backgrounds, they were dressed in simple, inexpensive clothes. Aurora’s sharp eyes instantly took note of their lack of polish.
Aurora wasn’t wrong. In this society, appearances mattered-a lot. If you wanted to succeed, you had to look the part.
“Let’s go inside.” Aurora led them into the mall.
She first arranged for both of them to have new hairstyles. Ian, a young man, had been sporting a haircut more suited to someone twice his age. The stylist gave him a fresh, clean-cut look, removing his messy, overgrown hair and swapping his thick, outdated black-rimmed glasses for contact lenses.
When Ian reappeared, Aurora paused, momentarily stunned. The previously unkempt man was now surprisingly handsome.
The stylist had trimmed away Ian’s disheveled, unruly hair and replaced it with a sleek, modern style featuring bangs. Without his glasses, his sharp features were no longer hidden. It was clear that Ian’s past lack of grooming had masked his good looks.
If Gemma had seen him like this earlier, how could she have rejected him? After all, this was a society that judged people by their appearance.
“Boss, do I look strange like this?” Ian asked nervously, feeling the unfamiliar lightness on his head.
“No, you look great,” Aurora reassured him, pushing him in front of a mirror. “Take a good look. This is the real you. Stop hiding.”
Meanwhile, Heather was also getting a makeover. Her long, dark hair was trimmed into a sleek, professional short cut. Compared to the timid girl who used to invite trouble, Heather now exuded confidence.
Aurora looked at the two of them, pleased with their transformations.
“Alright, now let’s go pick out some clothes,” Aurora said, leading them to the upper floors of the mall.
They arrived at a store where even the simplest dresses cost thousands of dollars. Heather and Ian had never dared to step foot in such a place before. Watching Aurora stride in like she owned it, they couldn’t help but feel a little envious.
“Miss, how can I assist you?” A sales associate immediately approached Aurora with enthusiasm.
Aurora’s outfit, though minimalist, radiated luxury. Every piece she wore screamed high-end, and the total cost easily exceeded tens of thousands of dollars. The staff treated her like royalty.
However, when they saw Heather, dressed in clothes worth less than $100 from head to toe, their enthusiasm vanished.
Aurora noticed the difference in attitude and pulled Heather forward. “Find her a professional outfit. Something sharp and mature.”
“Of course, Miss. I’ll select our latest styles for her right away,” the sales associate replied.
The staff in such high-end stores were well-trained. With just one glance, they could accurately estimate a client’s size, even down to their undergarments.
Soon, they presented Heather with a black-and-white tailored skirt suit.
“Try this on,” Aurora said after giving it a once-over.
“Miss, the fitting rooms are this way. Please follow me,” the associate said respectfully.
Heather hesitated and whispered nervously, “Can I ask how much this outfit costs?”
If Aurora hadn’t been here, the associate might have laughed out loud. After all, clients in stores like this rarely asked about prices.
“This is one of our newest arrivals. With the current discount, it’s $499,” the associate replied.
“$499? That’s too expensive!” Heather exclaimed. “Boss, I don’t think these clothes suit me. Let’s check out another store.”
Aurora sighed, exasperated. “Just try it on.”
Reluctantly, Heather took the suit into the fitting room.
Aurora had chosen this store with Heather’s financial situation in mind. Though the outfit was pricey, it was far from the most expensive option. For Heather, it was a high-value investment.
Aurora herself hadn’t checked the price tags on her clothes in years. Julian always sent her the latest high-end designs, and she knew their price tags often started at five figures.
Luxury items existed for a reason, she thought. They were worth their price.
When Heather stepped out in the new outfit, the difference was striking. The precise tailoring of high-end clothing highlighted Heather’s curves, making her look elegant and poised. Combined with her fresh haircut, she was nearly unrecognizable.
It was no wonder little girls dreamed of being princesses. Princesses got to wear beautiful dresses and live out their fantasies.
Heather admired the outfit but couldn’t bring herself to buy it. Just as she was about to come up with an excuse to refuse, Aurora spoke up.
“Let’s go,” Aurora said casually.
“Boss, this outfit-”
“I already paid for it,” Aurora cut her off. “And I got you a backup set as well.”
Aurora had anticipated Heather’s hesitation and had purchased another outfit while Heather was in the fitting room.
“No, Boss, it’s too expensive. I can’t accept it,” Heather said, panicking.
“I’m not giving it to you for free. I’ll deduct $100 from your paycheck every month until it’s paid off,” Aurora replied.
Heather finally relented, though she still felt a pang of guilt. “Alright,” she said, her heart heavy with the cost.
Aurora chuckled when she saw Heather’s pained expression. “If you want to wear clothes you love, you’ll have to work harder. Next time, you’ll walk into this store and pick out anything you like without hesitation.”
“Do you think I’ll ever get there, Boss?” Heather asked hopefully.
“You will. You just need to make your skills match your ambition. Work hard and become someone strong,” Aurora said firmly.
Ian stood quietly, admiring Aurora’s ability to read people so effortlessly. It seemed no one could hide anything from her sharp eyes.