Dayanna’s expression shifted, and the retail assistants in the boutique went weak in the knees.
Even Shirley was stumped as a look of warning filled her eyes. She never expected Anathea to put Dayanna down just to stop her from scoring a collaboration with the Presgraves.
“Please don’t be mad, Mrs. Presgrave. You don’t have to get worked up over a comment made by riff–raff like her,” Shirley quickly interjected, diffusing the tension and casting blame on Anthea.
They were both vying for a partnership with Presgrave Group, after all. They both had something to lose if Dayanna took offense at Anathea’s comment and told Macon about it.
Anathea was well aware of this, but her eyes twinkled even more, and this time with amusement, when she saw how flustered Shirley was.
Funny how Shirley had been high and mighty a minute ago, only to cower with sycophancy now.
Shirley’s brows knitted closely together. She cursed Anathea for insulting Dayanna on purpose. Anathea was trying to drag Shirley down with her so that they’d both lose out on the opportunity to work together with Presgrave Group.
Anathea sensed Shirley’s murderous gaze on her but paid her no mind.
She glanced at Dayanna, ready to insult her all the way. Smiling, she continued speaking in a way that Shirley believed was a one
way ticket to troubled horizons. “Mrs. Presgrave, I’m serious. You don’t look good in these clothes, and it won’t matter how hard you try to pull them off because you can’t.”
The retail assistants had gone quiet out of fear.
Meanwhile, Shirley felt her temples throb. If she could turn back time, she’d march up to Anathea and rip her mouth off before she could run it. At least it would keep Anathea from spewing offensive nonsense at Dayanna!
But escalating the tension was exactly what Anathea hoped to achieve, for even when everyone around them had grown grave at her words, Dayanna was much calmer than Anathea expected.
“Why don’t you tell me why you think I can’t pull off these outfits?” Dayanna prompted.
Anathea ignored Shirley’s quiet warning and answered frankly, “The clothes on those mannequins may be rare, couture items from the latest collection, but none of them suit you, Mrs. Presgrave.
“It can be hard to pull off such flamboyant clothing, and even harder to keep them from stealing your spotlight.
“No one will look at your face if you step out in these clothes, and naturally, they’ll think the clothes overwhelm rather than complement you.”
Dayanna pursed her lips and said nothing, her expression hardening.
Shirley rolled her eyes at Anathea and demanded in hushed tones, “Who told you to run your mouth?”
Now they both had to deal with this awkward mess!
Anathea merely smiled. She made no reply, as if unbothered that she’d just insulted Dayanna. She was waiting for Dayanna’s
response.
The next second, Dayanna let out a breath and said to Anathea, “In that case, why don’t you pick out clothes that you think will complement me?”
Upon hearing this, Shirley went still with surprise.
“Alright.” Anathea immediately had the retail assistants return the clothes Dayanna had picked out. She then chose a few ensembles that were simple, understated, yet elegant. But none of these ensembles were from the latest season’s collection. Shirley crossed her arms and eyed Anathea as if to mock, “This is all you got?”
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Chapter 556
+25 BONUS
For someone who had so boldly insulted Dayanna carlier, Anathea certainly had nerves of steel to pick out of
for her.
ason clothing
Even the boutique manager gave a furtive shake of her head. She and her team had dealt with Dayanna enough times to know her preferences, and none of Anathea’s choices reflected them.
However, Anathea stuck by her choices. “Mrs. Presgrave, I recommend you try these pieces instead.”
Dayanna appraised the clothes. “Is there anything else you’d like to say?”
Anathea added, “You should dress for yourself, not to your husband’s liking. It only matters if you like how you look. As for shopping from the latest season’s collection, I believe you’ve heard the saying, ‘nothing beats a timeless look‘.”
The air grew still and silent once more, but a moment later, Dayana laughed. She regarded Anathea with approval as she said, ” You have good taste, Ms. Jacobson. I like it.”
Shirley’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“Thank you, Mrs. Presgrave,” Anathea replied with a smile.
In truth, Anathea had observed the subtle shift in Dayanna’s expression when Shirley remarked that Macon would be a fan of the new clothes too.
Her instincts told her that, as the one who had the final say in their marriage, Dayanna naturally wouldn’t like hearing comments that gravitated toward appeasing her husband and his preferences.
That was why she’d been emboldened enough to speak her mind in hopes of gauging Dayanna’s thoughts.
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