Chapter 150
But when he got close to Selene, he held himself back. He bit his lip, cheeks flushed, then broke into an innocent, radiant smile just for her.
“Little Star, it’s been ages! Can I hug you?”
Daph stretched her arms out to Altair, who looked a little anxious, his tiny fingers gripping the edge of his sleeve.
“Mm–hmm!”
He nodded shyly at Daph.
She scooped him up, and in the next instant, Altair’s feet left the ground.
Daph lifted him easily, bouncing him a little in her arms.
“Little Star, you’ve gotten heavier! Have you been eating well?”
Altair’s face turned crimson with embarrassment.
Meanwhile, the staff, lined up in two neat rows, bowed in unison. “Good evening, Mr. Vaughn, Ms. Thompson, Miss Thompson.”
“Hello,” Daph replied.
She set Altair down, still a little bewildered by the sudden formality, but her manners were second nature; she quickly bowed to them in return, echoing their
greeting.
Selene also greeted them, though inwardly she marveled. Did Leo really need this many housekeepers? And all of them so strikingly beautiful!
“Ms. Thompson, we’re from Valencia’s VIP Services Team. This is our chief tailor, Isadora. We’re here at Mr. Vaughn’s invitation to custom–fit a gown for you.”
Isadora, a stylish blonde with a bright, friendly smile, produced a measuring tape. “Ms. Thompson, it’s been so long! Shall we get started right away?”
Selene couldn’t help but remember: fourteen years old, newly arrived in the city with Leo. She’d worn ill–fitting hand–me–downs, peering out the car window at the towering skyline with wide, wary eyes.
Leo had taken her to Valencia’s exclusive VIP suite, and it was Isadora–then already the chief tailor–who had measured her for her very first custom–made dress.
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13:25
Chapter 150
Back then, Selene had asked Leo, “Aren’t these clothes really expensive? Do I need to wear something like this just to go to Aldonia University?”
If attending the university’s gifted program meant these kinds of costs, she’d rather not go; her family could never afford such extravagance.
Leo had answered, “I want you to live with dignity, Selene. University isn’t some ivory tower–it’s a microcosm of the real world. You might feel out of place at first, but it’s a crucial part of growing up. I’m giving you the means to hold your head high, so you can focus on your studies without worrying about anything else.”
From that moment on, she’d come to love the Valencia brand. Wearing those clothes always brought back the comforting sense of Leo’s unwavering support.
Now, Selene found herself surrounded by five or six staff members, Isadora calling out numbers while the others jotted them down.
She’d been married into the Vaughn family for seven years, but never once had she received this kind of treatment.
There were always teams of stylists and jewelers visiting the Vaughn household, but Selene, just like the staff, would stand off to the side, holding the gowns and jewelry meant for Gemma.
Selene had never owned a custom gown of her own. After all, neither Harrison nor Gemma would ever take her to a proper banquet.
They’d always thought she wasn’t presentable, just a country girl who’d never belong in high society.
No matter how dazzling she’d once been, no matter the honors or applause she’d earned, years of being swallowed up by endless chores and daily drudgery had left her dulled and worn down.
Eventually, gazing at her tired reflection, she’d come to believe it too–that she had no value, that she didn’t deserve beautiful things.
But now, as the luxurious fabric of a bespoke gown settled over her shoulders, she stared at her reflection in the full–length mirror.
She heard Isadora’s quiet gasp behind her.
“Ms. Thompson, you truly are beautiful.”
Selene turned, her eyes searching for Leo, who sat quietly in his wheelchair.
13:25
