?Chapter 243:


    She winked yfully at Kristopher. “The cake you picked out is delicious, and I absolutely love it.”


    Kristopher’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Marc rmended it.” Cathy talking about the cake confirmed that she was well aware of tomorrow’s details. With that, Kristopher chose not to bring up any more about it.


    Just then, Maggie stepped out of the fitting room in a pink gown.


    “Maggie, you look stunning!” Cathy eximed, clearly impressed.


    Maggie’s face lit up. “Really?”


    “For sure!” Cathy approached her. “This pink really suits you…”


    Then she turned to the store clerks. “Don’t you think?”


    “Yes, it’s really beautiful!”


    “This pink is so delicate; it makes Miss Cox look like an angel…”


    “It’s not just the dress. Miss Cox’s natural beauty makes it even more stunning…”


    The clerks’pliments seemed to lift Maggie’s spirits, almost convincing her to buy the dress on the spot.<fnd839> Discover more novels at Find★Novel</fnd839>


    Just then, the door of the fitting room across from Maggie’s swung open.


    Belinda stepped out, stunning in a striking red gown.


    The store instantly fell silent.


    The clerks, who had been endlessly praising Maggie, stopped and turned their attention to Belinda.


    The vivid red of her dress outshone all others in the store, making them seem dull byparison.


    The red was so intense that it captivated everyone’s gaze.


    Your escape begins with ga ln ov els .


    Even Kristopher, caught by surprise, had not realized before how striking Belinda looked in red.


    Next to Belinda’s vibrant gown, Maggie’s pink dress looked pale and outdated.


    The clerks, previously full ofpliments for Maggie, now stood speechless as they admired Belinda.


    Maggie felt as though she had been lifted high only to be dropped abruptly.


    She rolled her eyes and said, “Belinda, aren’t you supposed to be helping me and Cathy? Who allowed you to try on dresses? Do you think you’re entitled to that?”


    Belinda raised her eyebrows, pretending that Maggie’s words had fallen on deaf ears. She turned and walked toward the full-length mirror, studying her reflection. The dress fit her better than she had ever imagined. Its bright red hue made herplexion appear fairer, her features more delicate.


    “You were always meant for red,” Joyce’s voice echoed in her memory. At that time, Belinda had just reunited with her biological family and left the countryside behind. She had believed that returning to the Nelson family would fulfill her dreams, but instead, she found that her biological parents showed a preference for Gillian, the adopted daughter they mistakenly believed was their own. Belinda often felt inadequate, rejected by both her adoptive and biological parents.


    She had shied away from bright colors, habitually choosing gray and ck to fade into the background. It was Joyce who had coaxed her into a mall and selected a striking red outfit for her. Joyce had encouraged her, saying, “Don’t feel inferior because youe from the countryside. You are the rightful daughter of the Nelson family; it was merely fate that had you grow up elsewhere. If the Nelsons favor Gillian over you, that is their mistake, not a reflection of your worth. You need to shine brightly, to be noticed!”


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