CHAPTER 142: CHAPTER 142: MEMORIES (43)

"Hmm?"

"Aunt Monrose, you certainly wouldn’t make me do something I don’t want to do, right?" Florence Fuller looked at her seriously. "Isn’t that so?"

"But this time, Aunt Monrose isn’t sure." Abigail Monrose put down her chopsticks. "I’ve received an invitation from Southport City. It’s a private banquet, quite exclusive, and I can bring someone along. I just wanted to ask if you’d like to join me."

"Banquet." Florence thought for a moment. "Then I would need to prepare a dress, right?"

"You don’t have to worry about that. Leave it to me. Just think about whether you’d like to go or not. It’s perfectly okay if you don’t want to. I just wanted to ask."

"I can go." Florence looked a bit troubled. "It’s just that I’ve never attended a banquet before, Aunt Monrose. I’m afraid I might mess it up and... embarrass you too."

"Don’t think that way." Abigail encouraged. "You’re capable in whatever you do, and you have an appearance and charm that no one can match. To me, no one compares to you. You have to believe in yourself."

Florence nodded. "Alright."

She decided to open her eyes to new experiences.

"Make sure you come home early on Friday after school. I’ll select some dresses for you to choose from for the banquet. You can decide on a dress you like then."

"Okay." Florence thought of Ethan Harper. "Is Ethan going?"

"He’s busy and can’t make it." Abigail explained.

Florence nodded.

"What about the issue at school? How will you handle it?"

"I’ll find out who spread the rumors." Florence said. "Even if I don’t mind, I can’t ignore it. It’s damaging my reputation, and I need to get to the bottom of it."

"Would you like my help?"

"I’ll handle it myself first. If I can’t resolve it, I’ll ask for your help, Aunt Monrose."

Abigail nodded. "You’re a decisive child."

___

Friday came quickly. Florence had no classes that afternoon, so she left right after her last lesson at noon.

Ethan Harper came to pick her up at the school gate.

"You usually don’t let me pick you up." Ethan fastened the seatbelt. "Why did you ask me to come today?"

Florence looked at her phone. "You don’t want to?"

"No."

Putting away her phone, Florence gazed at his handsome, gentle profile. "Aunt Monrose told you, right?"

"Yes, I’m aware." He replied. "Did you find out who it was?"

"I found the person." Florence said, "But I was in a hurry today, so I didn’t confront them. I’ll handle it when I get back."

Speaking of going to Southport City, Florence asked, "You’re not going?"

"I’m quite busy these days; I have a few important meetings." Ethan said. "With my mom there, you can rest assured."

"I’m definitely at ease with Aunt Monrose." Florence looked out the window. "I thought we could go together."

Ethan glanced at her when he found the time. The girl was leaning against the seat, looking outside, and he couldn’t see her expression.

Upon reaching the Monrose Family home, Florence heard many voices before even stepping inside.

Inside, racks upon racks of clothes were neatly arranged. Seamstresses and makeup artists were present, as Abigail was speaking with another woman.

"Mom."

"Aunt Monrose."

"Oh, quickly, Florence." Abigail waved energetically. "You came back just in time. I’ve been overwhelmed with choices. Come have a look and see if there’s anything you like."

Faced with an array of intricate and unique dresses, Florence looked towards Ethan.

"Here’s a catalog of all the completed dresses. You can choose, and I’ll set aside what you like for you to review." The designer, aware she was the main focus for the attire, handed the catalog to Florence.

"Pick something." Abigail said. "I just don’t know your style preference, and also take a look at the accessories. See what you think."

On the topic of accessories, Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Mom, the ruby set you gave Florence before would be perfect for this occasion, wouldn’t it?"

"Yes." Abigail glanced at Florence. "What do you think, Florence? Is it okay?"

"Sure."

"Then let’s choose the dress based on that ruby jewelry set. You can retrieve the set, and the stylist and designer will give you their opinions."

Florence nodded and quickly went upstairs to get the set.

The stylist offered advice and selected three dresses, while Ethan and Abigail picked two more.

"Try them on." Abigail suggested.

So, Florence tried on all five dresses.

Each dress varied in style and beauty, and each brought out a unique grace in Florence. For a moment, no one could decide.

Florence stood in front of the mirror. "How about this one?"

A red feather strapless dress, which fit her curves complemented by scattered rhinestones. It had a cinched waist and a feathered hem, the satin gloss flowing like a waterfall under the feather trimmings.

Standing there, Florence exuded a gentle and unhurried charm, radiating unmatched allure.

The stylist nodded in approval.

Ethan’s gaze was fixed steadily on her, as the designer adjusted her dress and the stylist prepared to put on the ruby necklace for her.

"I’ll do it." Ethan stood up and walked over with steady strides.

Abigail couldn’t help but smile and waved off the stylist.

Necklace and tassel earrings.

The cool touch of the jewelry, with Ethan standing behind her, gently clasping the necklace around her neck. His fingers accidentally brushed her skin, and in the spacious living room, everyone watched Ethan as he put the necklace on her.

The red gems, accentuated by diamonds, seemed to emit an captivating allure, enhancing Florence’s poised and noble demeanor.

Then came the tassel earrings.

Florence held out her hand. "I can do this part myself."

Ethan nodded, waiting for her to finish, then brought out the ring, waiting for her hand.

"Let’s skip the ring." Florence looked at her hand and spoke to Ethan.

Ethan’s gaze traveled from her face inch by inch to the ruby necklace around her neck, and he nodded, putting the ring away.

Florence felt his gaze was different from usual, and a strange atmosphere seemed to envelop the two of them, so she walked up to Abigail. "Aunt Monrose, how is it?"

"Absolutely stunning, darling." Abigail’s eyes sparkled. "This ruby set suits you perfectly. I can’t even imagine how breathtaking you would be in that sapphire collection."

"That’s because the young lady is beautiful." The stylist also commended. "Every dress she tried on looked wonderful on her."

It wasn’t so much the dress complementing her as it was her bringing out the dress’s full potential.

Florence blushed shyly. "Now that it’s settled, I’ll change out of it."

"Go ahead." She stole a glance at Ethan, noticing his gaze was still fixed on Florence. Abigail cleared her throat softly.

The stylist followed Florence to put away the dress, and the others cleared the living room of clothes.

Soon, only the mother and son were left in the living room, and Abigail teased, "Your gaze was so intense."