Filed to story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“You’re new to this world,” Edith explained. “Globally, there are about three thousand haute couture clients. They’re either from the billion-dollar club, royalty, or wives and daughters of prominent politicians and celebrities. What seems expensive to us is just a drop in the bucket to them. Clothes for festivals? They wear them just once.”
“Just once?” Sarah’s eyes widened in shock. “All that time and money on a dress, only for it to be worn once? Isn’t that wasteful?””Well, the wealthy, especially during Halloween, love customizing all sorts of bizarre costumes. They’re also worn just once – the next year it’s all about who can be more creative. No one wears last year’s costumes.”
Sarah couldn’t wrap her head around it. “But the stores have beautiful ready-to-wear collections from brands, with designs perfect for celebrations, all for a fraction of the price of couture. And if they don’t fit perfectly, they can be tailored. Why wouldn’t Mr. and Mrs. Collins choose ready-to-wear? It’s so much more convenient and affordable.”
Edith gave her a knowing look. “True blue bloods rarely go for ready-to-wear, except for everyday wear.
For significant events, it’s always couture. You might not understand this now, but once you’re part of that world, you’ll see why it’s necessary.”
Sarah realized she was living in the same villa as Kenneth and Louisa, yet it was as if they inhabited different worlds.
“Edith, you know so much.” Sarah suddenly felt like she had been living under a rock.
“You’ll learn, in time,” Edith reassured her softly.
Just then, Kenneth approached his daughter Mirabella, holding a tablet. “Bella, Designer Rory drafted some suits for me. Take a look and tell me what you think.” He passed the tablet to her.
“And about our family outfits, would that be too childish?” Louisa chimed in, handing over another tablet, “Designer Eudora has also created a few just for me. Do you think they’d suit me?”
“Let me see, Dad.” Mirabella took the tablet, expertly navigating the design software, swiftly tweaking the suits to an even more impressive level.Rory watched, his eyes widening in disbelief. Mirabella had effortlessly improved upon his designs, elevating them to a whole new level.
Was she studying design? She seemed college-age—maybe a freshman? Yet, she was so proficient with design software.
With her talent for design, Rory wondered if she would consider joining BT.
If she was willing, she would surpass Rory one day.
“Great job! I love these revisions even more!” Kenneth hadn’t expected that in just a few minutes, his daughter had transformed his suits into something even more dashing and utterly unique, making them stand out in a crowd.
“Let’s go with Bella’s revisions!” Kenneth exclaimed with joy.
Mirabella was back at work on her mother’s tablet, first tweaking several of Louisa’s evening gowns into even more elegant and graceful creations, then reworking some matching family outfits into something heartwarmingly affectionate.
The designers were utterly astounded by her natural flair for design.
How did she manage to come up with such impeccable designs in such a short time frame and then sketch them out.
“Miss Bella, have you studied design?” asked Eudora, her tone a mix of surprise and camaraderie, “May I ask who mentored you?”
“Our daughter’s reputation precedes her. You would definitely recognize her if I told you.” Louisa teased, playing coy.
The room exchanged glances; they were familiar with the style, the capability, the level of proficiency, and a reputation that spoke volumes.
Could it be?
“A designer from QY?”Only a designer from QY could exhibit such expertise.
But Miss Bella was an heiress, why would she work as a designer.
And apart from QY, what other domestic brand could possibly match.
“You’re half right,” Louisa said with a smile, still keeping them in suspense.
Half right?
Was she really from QY? Or really a designer?
“Miss Bella’s design expertise is obviously superior to mine, so I dare to ask, are you perhaps the founder of QY, Queen Abby?”
The style of Queen Abby was just too similar to Mirabella’s recent designs.
The other designers were catching on to the possibility, all eyes turning to Mirabella as if waiting for confirmation.
“To be able to provide feedback so swiftly and to improve upon the work of all of us, domestically. I dare say, with all due respect, that apart from QY’s founder Queen Abby, no other ordinary brand’s designer can match me.”
Louisa was beaming with pride, “That’s right, my precious daughter is indeed the founder of QY, Queen Abby.”
The designers were even more shocked, to the point where their styluses nearly slipped from their hands.
How could they be qualified to design for the founder of QY.Was it Queen Abby showing them too much respect, or were Mr. and Mrs. Collins just too gracious.
“My apologies. We had no idea you were the founder of QY.” The designers lined up to shake Mirabella’s hand, one after another.
“I just can’t bear the thought of my darling daughter getting tired, so I figured we’d have her New Year outfit made by professionals outside.”
Louisa’s words sparked a wave of envy among the designers. When a wealthy mom doted on her daughter, she really went all out.
“Your mother is so good to you.”
“I’m so jealous you have such a caring mother.”
“We’ll do whatever you want. Just tell us how you’d like to tweak the designs.”
“The adjustments you made to Mrs. Collins’s outfits were simply stunning. You’ve really got an eye for this.”
Just then, Edith approached with excitement, “Mrs. Collins, Ms. Bella, Miss Myrna is here!”
Myrna was Chasel’s girlfriend.
“Perfect timing, let her in!” Louisa said, getting up to greet her warmly.
“Kenneth, Louisa, hope I’m not interrupting.” Myrna stepped in, changing her shoes, her face beaming with a lovely smile.
Her gaze inadvertently fell on Mirabella lounging on the couch. “Bella, you’re here too! I just texted you.”
At this hour, she’d assumed Bella would be at work, so she had even sent a message saying she was dropping by the Collins’ to deliver some things, including a little gift for Bella.
“Bella was busy revising the designs and missed your text, but you could have messaged me!” Louisa said, noticing Myrna’s arms laden with bags. “Why bring so much stuff? And where’s Chasel? Didn’t hecome back with you?”
“He’s still on a mission,” Myrna replied with a smile. “With the holidays around the corner, I picked up a few things for you and Bella.”
She didn’t mention Serena.
“You’re too thoughtful, dear! Come in and sit down. I was just thinking of asking Chasel for your sizes to have some clothes tailor-made for you. Perfect timing, Designer Eudora, could you help measure my future daughter-in-law? She and Bella seem to have similar figures. Could you design a few pieces for her too.”
“It’s okay, Louisa, I’m just passing through. I’ve got other missions to do.”
Myrna couldn’t stay long. She had planned to visit the Collins’ before the holidays, but her schedule was packed, and today was the only chance she had to sneak away. Glancing at the clock, she added, “I also came today to extend an invitation. My parents would like to invite you for dinner during the holidays, if that suits you.”
She delivered the invitation personally as a sign of respect from her parents to the Collins’.
Louisa beamed at the invitation. “We’d be delighted! We are free anytime. Just let us know when your parents are available. Oh, and how did Chasel do when he visited your folks? I asked him, but he didn’t spill the beans.”
“My parents really liked him,” Myrna said with a smile. “They had nothing but praise for Chasel.”
“Come in and make yourself at home.” Mirabella stepped forward. “Let’s not all stand around in the doorway.”
Louise suddenly realized she and her future daughter-in-law had been standing and chatting for quite a while. “Look at me, all scatterbrained with excitement,” she chuckled warmly. “Myrna, come on in and have a seat.”
“I have to run.” Myrna glanced at the clock on the wall. Time was slipping away, and she turned to Mirabella, “I’ll catch up with you another day.”
With those words, she wrapped Mirabella in a big hug.
As they embraced, Mirabella whispered in Myrna’s ear, “Is everything safe?”
“No worries,” Myrna replied, her smile concealing her caution. She didn’t want to alarm Kenneth and Louisa or let the gossiping designers overhear anything. “I’m off then. I’ll come visit over the holidays.
Bella, see you around.”
“You’re leaving already? After bringing all these gifts. Wait a minute, let me walk you out,” Louise said hurriedly, following Myrna’s steps. “Next time you come, don’t bring anything. It’s too much. Are you and Chasel off for the holidays? You should come over for dinner!”
“Sure,” Myrna said with a smile. “I love the vibe at your place, Louisa. Why isn’t Serena here today?”
Normally, having a designer come over for a fitting was an event Serena would never miss.
“She.” Louise, considering Myrna as part of the family, didn’t intend to keep secrets. “I sent her next door to reflect on her behavior.”
As Louise relayed the story, Myrna’s expression turned to one of anger. “Why hasn’t she learned her lesson? Last time, she told her classmates that Bella managed to sweet-talk her way into your hearts just because she’s pretty and smart, and that’s why she was taken in as your goddaughter, given theCollins name, and lived under the same roof as her. If I hadn’t stumbled upon her lies, who knows how much more she’d have slandered Bella!”
“What?” Louise couldn’t believe her ears. It had been months since that incident, and she never imagined Serena would be so outrageous, mouthing off without restraint at school!
“The classmates thought Bella, an adopted daughter, was bullying Serena. They were all sympathizing with her! I’m an outsider, after all, and this is a Collins family matter, so I didn’t want to interfere too much. That’s why I had Chasel go to the school. In front of Chasel and me, Serena at first pretended to faint to find a way out, but then her friends found out she was lying. They’ve all fallen out with Serena.”
Louise felt a coldness settle in her heart. She had never expected the child to turn out this way, lying compulsively and being two-faced.
She was always such a well-behaved and sensible child, excelling in everything from a young age.
How could she have changed so drastically in just six months.
“Louisa.” Myrna felt it necessary to speak her mind. “Serena bullying Bella isn’t new. She even cried and promised Chasel there wouldn’t be a next time, and Chasel gave her a chance, not telling you or Kenneth. But after all this time, she did it again at Mr. Eugene’s birthday party. This shows she never thought she was wrong. On the contrary, she’s been looking for chances to get back at Bella. I think, as long as she’s around, Bella will only suffer more.”
Louise was profoundly shaken. She had wanted to give Serena another chance, but now it seemed the child was beyond redemption.
