Chapter 675
Camille arrived at her design studio only to find Elva sitting rigidly, as if awaiting a verdict.
“Are you the wife of Mr. Chambers?” she inquired with a touch of surprise.
Elva, flustered, rose to her feet. “Ms. Camille,” she corrected, her voice a soft tremor.
Camille’s gaze swept over the woman before her. She had expected the grand dame of the Chambers family to be an epitome of sophistication and brashness. But the reality was quite different.
Elva was clad in a simple white power suit with her hair pulled back into a neat chignon. Despite the impeccable makeup, it couldn’t mask her pallor and the weariness in her eyes.
“Mrs. Chambers, please take a seat,” Camille offered, her voice even.
She had come with a grudge against the Chambers Group but seeing Elva, the anger just wouldn’t surface. Instead, she decided to wait and see what card Elva would play.
“Ms. Camille, I know it’s quite presumptuous of me to come unannounced, but I really need your help to design an evening gown,” Elva pleaded urgently. “Money is no object. Whatever others can offer, I can double, triple it. I just need you to make a dress for me. Please,”
“Mrs. Chambers, I’m just a designer, Camille chided gently, noting how Elva’s hands trembled around her teacup, her eyes glazed over. “But you should know, ever since my studio opened, we’ve operated strictly by appointment. No one can bypass this rule.”
interrupted by a sudden, soft thud Elva had collapsed to
are you doing?” Camille exclaimed, rushing to help
pulled Elva to her feet, Camille’s eyes caught sight of bruised and bloodied skin beneath the sleeve that had ridden up – a sight that
at the hands of the man who called
work is even worth considering,” Elva said, her body trembling, her voice
hoarse as she tried to maintain composure. “I’ll help you, let’s take your measurements. Perhaps I have something ready–to–wear that would suit you.”
eyes as she clung to Camille’s hand. “Thank you, truly,
just the two of them. Camille took Elva’s measurements and selected three gowns that matched her status and poise.
three? If they’re not to your
consideration, Elva clutched a forest green gown close, as if fearing Camille might change her mind. “No
“Ready–to–wear isn’t as perfect as bespoke. They might need adjustments. Why don’t you try it
Elva stepped into
past horrors swirled in her mind, unsettling her. She grabbed a bottle of ice–cold water from the fridge, gulping it down to quench the inner turmoil.
from the fitting room jolted her.
alright? Mrs. Chambers?” Camille
she feared the worst and broke
she cried out.
back marred by old bruises
covered Elva with her own jacket, gently lifting
Chambers, wake
fluttered open, dazed
and concern, asked, “Mrs. Chambers, what happened
she turned away, unable to face Camille’s piercing gaze.
being abused? Is Matthew hurting you?” Camille’s eyes blazed with barely
Elva said, struggling to dress herself as she prepared to flee. “I’ll
after her, “Mrs. Chambers! Domestic abuse will never stop once it begins! You know better than anyone the humiliation and pain you’ve been enduring all these years! Do you really want to spend
have?” Elva burst out, her composure shattered. “Right now, I can at least survive.
her voice hoarse with emotion. “Not fighting back is the real dead–end! Mrs. Chambers, there’s
she could finish her sentence.
of anger and indignation. A thought began to form in her mind amidst
car had barely rolled out of the studio’s front yard when another luxury sedan arrogantly pulled in, parking right in front of the villa, flouting all semblance of decorum despite the
It’s so out of the way, the drive here was a total nightmare!” complained a woman stepping out
half–sister,
up for her own wedding gift or something,” followed a plump, middle–aged woman with a pinched face and eyes that seemed perpetually arched in disapproval. It was Eunice’s mother, Mrs. Evert. “This so–called ‘renowned designer‘ is just a title she’s given herself, laying the groundwork to snag a wealthy husband.
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