Chapter 35

“Good morning Milady, we're the ford sisters, we'll be in charge of making you look dazzling for today's ceremony.”

“You are most welcome. I'm counting on you to make sure I don't look out of place at my own reception.” Eden replied in a gentle voice.

“Don't worry, we'll make you belle  of the ball…”

The dress was magnificent, but after wearing it, Eden had a strange sensation.

"I... why do I feel like I'm in someone else's clothes?" Eden thought 

"No, I'm imagining things. Since I don't know anything about fashion...The specialists must know better than me then Alexis should be here soon, she told me she'd come three hours early."

Eden descended the stairs to wait for Alexis in the hall.

“ -Milady, are you ready…”

Madame Knight was suddenly interrupted when she saw Eden arrive, shocked by her appearance.

“-Miss. Alexis has arrived, announced the butler.”

“Deni”

“Welcome Alex”

Alex stopped in her tracks with the same expression of shock as Madame Knight.

“Eden...Alexis said in a deep voice as she  grabbed her hand; “please follow me. We're in a hurry, so I'll explain on the way.”

Eden’s heart was racing as she got into the sedan with Alexis, wanting to know what could have put her in such a state.

“Who dressed you like that?”

“-I mean... Why? Why this quest…”

“Eden, right now... those jewels you're wearing, you're dressed exactly like Viscountess Dahlia, Ian’s  grandmother. The one who made his mother suffer so much before she died.”

Eden could feel Alexis' hatred for the name.

“I don't understand why anyone would do this to you,” she continued.

"I... I have a suspect..." Eden thought.

The sedan stopped and Ese  snapped out of her thoughts.

“This is the place.” Alexis murmured; the designer here isn't well known, but she's renowned for the quality of her work.”

In front of them was a cute little store whose little bell rang when Alexis  opened the door.

“Oh Miss. Carter. It's been a long time, you're all dressed up today, would you like to order an outfit?”

“No, Sunny. Here's your customer,” Alexis replied, pointing to Eden. 

Sunny began to inspect Eden from every angle

“Hmm a flat-pleated burr and flared sleeves. Beautiful, but already out of fashion. Especially this color, if I were you, I'd go for a color that suits your skin tone;” she murmured; “it's an outfit that perfectly mimics the fashion that Viscountess Dahlia has launched, give or take a few details. Awful. If I were you, I wouldn't hire the designer who made you that outfit. And what's your name?”

“Eden Boyle of Hadleigh”

“Um, yes Eden of Hadleigh... ; PARDON!” Sunny screamed.

“You... You... Are you the viscountess of Hadleigh? Uh, I apologize if I've ever hurt you, she said, trembling.”

“No, at least it allowed me to see how  effective your sharp eye is;” Eden reassured her. 

“Well, in that case... Have you come to make a costume?”

“No, I'm having a wedding reception today. I'd like a dress, as well as the hair and make-up to go with it.”

“I see. And when does the reception start?”

“In two and a half hours”

“THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! I need at least eight hours to get it all done. What do you mean "two and a half hours"?!” Sunny cried, shocked. 

“veu...please forgive me, Milady . But it's

not possible, I swear!”

“Think twice, Sunny.” Alexis says, making eyes at her; “we could well delay the start of the reception for a while. What's more, it's a golden opportunity to show off your talent to the nobility! It doesn't matter if it's not perfect, Eden is naturally Beautiful, so all you have to do is make her look her best.”

“Well, I'll try”

Meanwhile, at the Hadleigh residence, the guests are becoming impatient.

\-Why isn't the new viscountess here yet? Says one of the guests

“Surely she's realized he doesn't belong here?

The room was filled with condescending murmurs. In a corner lurked Colin, filing her fingernails.

"Weird. There's something not quite right. If everything went according to plan, that damned Eden would have no reason not to still be here. Why the hell not?!"

Suddenly, the door to the hall opened. 

“Announcing the Viscount and viscountess of Hadleigh”

Eden made her entrance on Ian’s arms, dressed in a purple dress.

Eden with her newly dyed blond hair looked like a princess, her make-up impeccable and bringing out the beauty of her magnificent eyes. 

The room was once again filled with murmurs of:

"Lord, is that the Viscountess Hadleigh?" 

And

"My God... she's gorgeous".

“She is gorgeous,” Ian thought as he put his hand on Eden’s hips, feeling his alpha growing ever more possessive.

In the corner of the room, Colin was shivering with fear, seeing that her plan to humiliate Eden had failed, Eden glared at her.

"H...How is this possible? No... ! I've been caught. I've got to get away before she tells my Ian everything."