Chapter 7 Mirage Fashion

"What's happened to Mirage Fashion these days? The gowns don't even fit properly anymore, and the fabric looks so cheap."

"Exactly! It's nothing like the quality from a few years ago. They're using inferior materials but charging premium prices. And the designers they're hiring now—I saw a seamstress last week who couldn't even get the basic hemming technique right!"

Two well-dressed women carrying custom gown bags whispered to each other as they walked past.

Emily clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Clara! Who else but Clara could have reduced Scarlett's life's work to this sorry state? That illegitimate daughter whose sole purpose seemed to be erasing every trace of Scarlett's existence.

Emily stood in the store for a long time, her gaze sweeping over the familiar yet unfamiliar showrooms and fabric cabinets, feeling a turbulent mix of emotions.

Eventually, the receptionist, who had been scrolling through her phone, looked up impatiently. "What are you doing here? If you're not making clothes, don't just hang around and block the way!"

Emily raised her eyes to see the woman's face etched with contempt.

Today, Emily was wearing a dress that Emma had made during her kindergarten home economics class. Though it looked inexpensive, it was filled with Emma's love.

"I'm just looking,"

"Looking? Are you here for a custom order or just sightseeing? Don't waste our time if you can't afford it. We're busy here. Looking at you, I doubt you can pay our customs fees anyway." The receptionist snickered.

A wave of helplessness washed over Emily. Had Mirage Fashion fallen so far that they now employed people with no basic professional etiquette?

As Emily opened her mouth to respond, a sickeningly sweet voice came from behind her.

"Emily? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

Emily turned to see Clara dressed in designer clothes, arm-in-arm with Celeste, standing nearby with a fake smile plastered on her face.

Clara clearly hadn't expected to encounter Emily here. A flash of surprise crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by smugness.

"Why shouldn't I be here?" Emily replied coldly.

Celeste recognized Emily, too, her expression immediately darkening. "Well, if it isn't our 'lost' Emily. What brings you back? Couldn't make it on the outside and came back to beg for scraps?"

The surrounding gazes converged on them, curious and probing.

Clara gently patted Celeste's hand in mock restraint. "Mom, please. Emily's return is a good thing."

She turned to Emily, her smile sickeningly sweet. "Emily, where have you been all these years? Dad and I have been so worried about you. Oh, and Roy asked about you recently. He mentioned that incident from back then..."

At the mention of Roy, Emily's stomach churned.

Clara noticed, and her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She deliberately raised her voice, "Emily, since you're back, why don't you come home with me? Dad would be so happy to see you."

Home? Return to that "home" where she had been sold off like merchandise?

She would go back eventually, but not now.

She wasn't ready to face Simon yet—that despicable man who had sold his own daughter for personal gain. When the time was right, she would confront him.

Although by then, whether the Johnson family would want to see her was another matter entirely.

"I'm not interested in seeing him," Emily stated firmly.

She had just returned to the country and wasn't prepared. Going to the Johnson Villa now—who knew if those monsters might try to sell her off again?

She needed to be ready before facing that battle!

Emily turned to leave, but Clara quickly stepped forward, blocking her path.

"Are you avoiding me, Emily?" Clara moved closer, lowering her voice so only Emily could hear. "Are you afraid? Afraid I'll tell everyone about your 'adventure' at the Azure Palace Hotel? The respectable second daughter of the Johnson family had a one-night stand with a stranger while drunk—not a good reputation, is it? Maybe if you beg me, I might agree to keep it quiet."

"You know who that man was," Emily replied with certainty.

"Of course. He was a homeless man I found on the street. How did it feel to sleep with such garbage? By the way," Clara suddenly stepped back, covering her nose and mouth, "You didn't leave Emerald City to get treatment, did you? I've heard those kinds of diseases are hard to cure."

"You seem quite knowledgeable. Speaking from experience?" Emily asked with a cold smile.

"Emily! How dare you!" Clara gasped.

"What's wrong? You can make wild accusations, but I can't? Go on, keep talking. Let's see who has more to lose from a damaged reputation."

Clara hadn't expected the formerly submissive Emily to become so confrontational.

Though she hadn't succeeded in upsetting Emily, Clara had obtained the information she wanted—Emily didn't know who the man was that night, nor what had happened after she left.

This made things easier.

Back then, Emily had escaped Roy's clutches, which had enraged him. As punishment, he had made Clara spend the night with him instead. The mere thought of Roy's revolting presence still made her nauseous.

Who would have thought that this bitch Emily would end up in Charles's bed?

Fortunately, Emily had fled Emerald City, giving Clara the opportunity to take her place.

Since then, Charles had become Clara's powerful backer.

Whatever Clara asked for, Charles would provide.

Yet, despite all her efforts over the years, Charles had never slept with her again. She remained Charles's unofficial girlfriend, the woman he never publicly acknowledged, rather than the rightful Mrs. Windsor.

And now, this bitch Emily had returned.

Could Emily be investigating something?

No, she couldn't allow anyone to become a threat!

The best solution now was to bring Emily home, let her parents deal with her.

After all, she was destined to become Mrs. Windsor—she couldn't afford even the slightest blemish on her reputation!

"Emily, don't push your luck!" Seeing that Emily wouldn't budge, Clara's fake smile completely vanished. She reached out to grab Emily's arm.

Emily violently shook off her hand with such force that Clara stumbled back. "I have nothing to do with the Johnson family anymore. Leave me alone!"

Seeing this, Celeste immediately stepped forward, pointing her finger in Emily's face. "How dare you! A disgraced outcast like you has no right to make a scene here. We'll drag you back to apologize to your father if we have to!"

The atmosphere in the store instantly became tense.

The few customers around them watched with interest, whispering.

Clara, humiliated by Emily's rejection, was burning with rage. Just as she was about to forcibly drag Emily away, a crisp, professional voice cut through the tension.

"Excuse me for interrupting, but is Ms. Johnson available?"