Chapter 321: I'll Take The Whole Lot

After she finished speaking, she raised her voice toward the door and called out, "Come in."

The next second, staff from the luxury boutique filed in, arms laden with jewelry and gowns that glittered dizzily under the lights.

Their gazes swept over me with a mixture of sympathy and distance, then immediately turned to Alice with fawning smiles—clearly briefed in advance to treat her as the future lady of the Johnson family.

One attendant held up a white gown encrusted with tiny diamonds, approaching Alice. "Ms. Baker, this is the signature piece from this year's haute couture collection. Do you think it's suitable? Considering the Johnson family just lost an elder, it's better for the bride to dress modestly at the wedding. This one would be perfect for Mrs. Johnson."

Alice put on a solemn expression. "I should ask Michael's opinion first. After all, Ms. Thomas is his lawfully wedded wife. If the wedding dress is too plain, won't that embarrass Michael?"

The moment those words left her mouth, the attendants' gazes drifted to me, carrying curiosity and the anticipation of drama.

I said flatly, "I'll take the plainest one. Everything else, whatever. I have manuscripts to finish—all of you, out."

Alice laughed mockingly, her tone dripping with disdain. "What's the rush? You're Mrs. Johnson now. Do you really still need to scrape by writing novels for pocket change?"

Before I could respond, she pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Michael on video call.

On screen, Michael sat behind his desk.

Though he'd lost his CEO position, his air of privilege and arrogance hadn't diminished one bit.

He glanced at the gowns in frame, brow furrowing, voice edged with obvious impatience. "Choosing a dress—let her decide herself."

Alice put on a delicate, syrupy tone. "Michael, but Ms. Thomas chose something so plain. The whole country will be watching the wedding—people will say we're cheap."

As she spoke, she glanced sideways at me, clearly waiting to see me squirm.

Michael's gaze turned colder as he followed her lead. "Even if I was set up, I'm not so broke I have to skimp on a wedding. Get the best!"

Alice's mouth curved into a triumphant smile. She turned to me. "You heard him, Ms. Thomas. That's Michael's decision!"

I said indifferently to the screen, "I was trying to save you some money, but since you're rolling in it, I won't hold back."

"I can still afford to support my wife."

Michael's tone was stiff, clearly a dig at me.

"I'm sure you can," I replied. "After all, if you can afford a mistress, how could you not afford me?"

On screen, Michael's face darkened instantly. Alice's smile froze like she'd been slapped in public.

Michael changed the subject. "I have a meeting soon. You two figure it out."

He hung up.

Alice's expression crumpled. "Ms. Thomas, the wedding at the end of the month will be watched nationwide. Don't embarrass Michael."

She thought those words would hit a nerve, but I remained perfectly calm.

With William's reassurance backing me, what did I have to fear from these demons?

I turned to the waiting attendants. "Since Mr. Johnson isn't short on cash, I'll take everything you brought today—all the gowns and jewelry."

The attendants froze instantly, eyes wide, nearly dropping their clipboards.

These haute couture pieces and jewelry totaled millions. In all their years, they'd never seen anyone sweep an entire collection so decisively.

Alice looked at me like I'd lost my mind. She rushed forward, lowering her voice. "Evelyn, don't push your luck!"

"I'm spending my husband's money. Why does it hurt you?"

I raised an eyebrow, tone teasing. "Unless you want to call Michael again? See if he takes back what he just said so quickly."

Alice's face cycled through shades of green and white. She bit out, "Michael said choose whatever you want—not waste everything! These items are worth a fortune. I'm definitely reporting this to him!"

I settled onto the sofa, picking up a magazine and flipping through it casually. "Go ahead."

Alice immediately dialed. But the moment the call connected, Michael's irritated voice came through. "Didn't I say let her choose? I'm in a meeting—why are you calling again?"

Alice's voice weakened instantly, tinged with grievance and urgency. "But Ms. Thomas wants all the jewelry and gowns. That's too extravagant..."

Michael was silent for two seconds, tone still cold but without any rebuke toward me. "If she likes them, buy them. Stop bothering me with trivial matters."

He hung up.

Alice gripped her phone, face completely ashen, like a deflated balloon.

Just then, Amelia arrived.

She knew my door code and walked right in.

The instant she entered, she froze, thinking she'd walked into the wrong place.

Seeing the living room packed with attendants, dust covers scattered everywhere, jewelry displays spread across the coffee table—her pupils visibly contracted. She let out an involuntary "whoa," voice full of surprise. "Did you... move an entire boutique into your house?"

Her gaze immediately collided with Alice's cold stare.

Alice clearly hadn't recovered from her earlier humiliation.

Seeing Amelia enter, her expression darkened further.

Amelia immediately frowned, practically ready to roll up her sleeves.

I moved quickly, stepping forward to grab her wrist, fingers lightly squeezing the back of her hand.

Amelia exchanged a glance with me and calmed down.

I said deliberately, "Michael's been incredibly generous for this wedding. I'm taking all this jewelry and clothing. If you see anything you like, help yourself."

The moment the words left my mouth, Amelia caught on instantly.

Following my gaze to a pigeon-blood ruby set, she said, "This ruby would look perfect on me. And this diamond bracelet—it'll match my new watch perfectly."

Alice's mouth pressed into a thin line, face shifting from white to livid.

Without her career, every monthly expense required begging Michael for money. She probably hadn't indulged like this in ages.

Noticing the mockery at the corner of my mouth, Alice suddenly spoke up. "No! Michael bought these for you. No one else can take them!"

I smiled faintly. "He gave them to me, so they're mine. I can give them to whoever I want! Unless, Ms. Baker, you beg me—maybe I'll let you pick a few pieces too!"

Seeing the venom in her eyes, I said sweetly, "Or you could call your Michael again and ask?"

Alice was practically choking with rage. After getting scolded on the phone earlier, she didn't dare call again.

"Since you won't make that call, I'll dispose of this jewelry and these gowns as I see fit."

I casually selected two gowns and some jewelry, then turned to Amelia. "This afternoon, help me take the rest to a secondhand luxury consignment shop. Donate all the proceeds."