?Chapter 281:


    Steam drifted from the bathroom as Hailee stepped out, skin glowing, hair slightly damp, and the bold red gown hugging her form.


    Hailee had never worn anything so vivid before. Everything about her shifted—the way she stood, the look in her eyes, the quiet confidence in her steps. Crimson, with all its fire and defiance, transformed herpletely.


    Elliana hadn’t picked the gown at random—every detail had been chosen with care, like armor stitched in silk.


    Elliana guided Hailee to the vanity, gently eased her into the chair, and then began sweeping her long hair up, securing it with a delicate clip etched with Rosa’s signature emblem.


    With each motion, Elliana studied Hailee’s soft, refined features—her luminous skin like porcin untouched by time. She began brushing on a hint of makeup. Even with the lightest touch, the effect was transformative.


    Hailee, once the picture of sweetness and innocence, now carried something sharper. With a careful flick, Elliana arched her brows, giving Hailee’s makeup just…


    Enough edge tomand attention. Toplete the look, Elliana fastened a slender ne around Hailee’s neck, the Rosa logo gleaming like a seal of elegance.


    “There, perfect,” Elliana dered, stepping back to admire her work.


    Hailee turned toward the mirror, and for a second, she didn’t recognize the woman staring back at her. She usually stepped out barefaced in in clothes. This was the first time she’d ever dressed up. She hadn’t known she could shine like this and that she could be bold and graceful all at once, with just a touch of polish and purpose.


    Elliana gazed at Hailee’s reflection and smiled. “So? What do you think?”


    Heat crept up Hailee’s cheeks. “Elliana, are your hands magic or something? How did you pull this off?”


    A burst ofughter escaped Elliana as she stood and gently tugged Hailee to her feet. “It’s not magic, sweetheart. It’s your natural beauty. You’ve always had this. You just never dressed up like this before.”


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    Then, crouching slightly, Elliana ced a sleek pair of silver heels with Rosa’s emblem at Hailee’s feet. Her voice softened. “Go on. Try these shoes.”


    Without hesitation, Hailee slid her feet into the heels, the final piece falling into ce. Wearing high heels for the first time felt strange—unsteady at first, yet oddly intriguing. The added height gently pulled her posture upright without effort.


    With a nce, Elliana offered immediate encouragement. “That’s it. Keep your spine tall, chin slightly up. You look sharper already. The right posture feeds your confidence, and with that energy, you’ll be unstoppable tonight.”


    It really did feel like the shoes held some kind of magic.


    As Hailee caught her reflection in the mirror, something shifted inside her. Her shoulders drew back, her eyes gleamed. “Elliana, I swear, I’ll pursue justice for myself and lead a much better life!”


    A knock on the door cut through the moment.


    Elliana crossed the room and opened it to find Paulina waiting with a soft smile.


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