Chapter 121
The Fashion Gala arrived right on schedule.
Effie was on the guest list as well, so she spent the afternoon getting ready-no one wanted to show up looking anything less than flawless at such a high-profile event.
Tonight, appearances mattered more than ever. For Effie, it wasn’t just about fashion; she had a new identity to protect now.
Earlier that day, Nolan had her gown delivered. One look was all it took for Effie to feel reassured-Nolan always knew exactly what would suit her best.
She headed to the salon for hair and makeup, then slipped into her dress before making her way straight to the venue.
The gala was being held at a magnificent six-star hotel. By the time Effie arrived, night had fallen, and the dazzling lights made the building glow like a palace. A crimson carpet unfurled from the entrance all the way through the grand lobby. Effie took a deep breath, smoothed her skirt, and stepped gracefully out of the car.
Her gown, handpicked by Nolan, was a champagne-hued one-shoulder number- simple yet exquisitely tailored, with a scattering of tiny crystals at the waist that sparkled like stars against the night. Her makeup was polished but understated, and her softly curled hair cascaded over her shoulders, lending her an air of effortless elegance.
Inside, guests mingled in small clusters, voices low and laughter gentle, the air laced with the scent of expensive perfume and champagne. It was everything a Fashion Gala promised to be-glamorous and electric.
Effie spotted a few familiar colleagues and was about to join them when a shrill voice cut through the crowd.
“Effie, what are you doing here? Do you even know where you are?”
She turned. Of course it was Sigrid, as arrogant and self-important as ever. Not that it was surprising; the Fashion Gala was Sigrid’s natural habitat, after all. She was a socialite through and through.
Effie gave her a cool, measured glance before responding, “This is the Fashion Gala, isn’t it? Though I wonder whose mutt slipped its leash and started barking at the door.”
Sigrid bristled, immediately catching the implication. “Who are you calling a mutt?” Effie’s gaze was serene. “Whoever answered, obviously.”
She wasn’t the same Effie who let Adeline and Sigrid push her around. Back then, she’d tolerated their behavior only because they were Mitchell’s family, but their pettiness had only grown worse. They’d always acted superior, as if she was
someone to be toyed with. How laughable.
Effie almost couldn’t be bothered to engage.
But Sigrid’s attention suddenly shifted. Her eyes narrowed as she took a closer look at Effie’s dress. If she wasn’t mistaken, the gown was a bespoke piece from UKISS.
That couldn’t be possible, could it? UKISS was the brand beloved by every high- society heiress-ultra-exclusive, each design unique, with prices and waitlists to match. Sigrid herself was a die-hard fan, but she’d tried and failed more than once to secure a custom order.
She wasn’t alone. Every woman in their circle dreamed of owning a UKISS original, willing to go to great lengths for a chance to boast about it.
And yet here was Effie, wearing a one-of-a-kind UKISS dress.
Sigrid couldn’t help herself. Her voice was tight with suspicion and envy. “That dress… Is it UKISS?”