Chapter 52 Dressed Like That for Whom?
In the dining room, Grace had just finished coaxing Liam through dinner when she saw Max emerge from his room.
"Max, are you still hungry?" she asked.
"No, I'm full!" Max suddenly pulled a notice from his backpack and handed it to Grace. "Mommy, there's a family carnival this week."
Grace took the invitation and glanced at it.
Windsor Academy Family Carnival.
This Friday marked Windsor Academy's thirtieth anniversary. Classes would be canceled for the day, and all student families were invited to campus for tours. The school had planned performances and parent-child activities, allowing parents to experience Windsor Academy's educational atmosphere firsthand while bonding with their children.
But Grace hadn't received her work schedule yet and wasn't sure if she could get Friday off.
Taking time off as a newly hired employee could easily create a negative impression with upper management.
Max looked nervous. "Mommy doesn't want to go?" He'd noticed an invitation on Alexander's desk too—Liam had given it to him.
Alexander had already signed it, meaning he would attend the carnival with Liam.
Max wanted Grace to come to the carnival too.
Grace explained, "Of course Mommy wants to go, but I have to work Friday." She felt frustrated—why couldn't the carnival be on a weekend instead of a weekday?
Perhaps it was because Windsor Academy parents were all wealthy business owners who didn't need to punch a time clock.
Max's face fell with visible disappointment.
He'd always been understanding and well-behaved, good at managing his emotions, but he genuinely looked forward to Grace accompanying him to the carnival.
"Max, Mommy promises that if I can get the day off, I'll definitely go with you," Grace said.
Max nodded but still seemed dejected.
At Windsor Academy family events, at least one parent was expected to attend.
Though he understood that Grace's new job wasn't easy to come by, he didn't want to attend the carnival alone without her company.
The next day.
As a first-day employee, Grace went through business handover procedures with her colleagues.
She'd joined the Business Development Department as an account representative. The role was generally relaxed—organizing client files, attending strategy meetings—but when busy, international travel was inevitable.
Horizon Group specialized in real estate, and with the booming senior care industry, the company was trending toward eldercare development.
Horizon Group's assisted living facilities were luxury senior communities, targeting high-net-worth elderly clients, which meant significant upfront capital investment.
The senior community currently under construction rivaled five-star hotels in scale, with comprehensive medical resources, 24-hour emergency care, and three helicopters purchased specifically for medical evacuations.
However, Horizon Group was currently negotiating financing, facing a five hundred million dollar funding gap.
After reviewing the company's ownership structure, Grace was surprised to discover that Amelia was one of Horizon Group's shareholders. Recently, the company had been courting investment from the Hayes family.
No wonder Amelia had been so ingratiating with Alexander—she needed his help.
Grace had just finished organizing client files and stepped out of the elevator when she unexpectedly ran into Amelia, who was visiting the company for an inspection.
As a major shareholder, she occasionally came to Horizon Group to review business progress.
Amelia wore a Hermes dress with a matching shawl, her hair styled in an elegant chignon. Her every gesture exuded sophistication and grace. She carried the very Himalaya bag that Jayden had won at auction for $5.6 million.
Apparently, Amelia had successfully purchased the bag from Jayden and couldn't wait to show it off.
Company executives surrounded her like stars around the moon as they toured the offices.
Grace found herself in an awkward situation because she immediately recognized that Amelia's Hermes dress was identical to her own.
They were wearing the same outfit!
Office colleagues were equally shocked.
"Look! Oh my God, the new girl is wearing the exact same thing as Amelia!"
Some chatty colleague had spoken loud enough for Amelia to hear. She turned around and saw Grace emerging from the elevator in an identical outfit. Amelia's brow furrowed, her complexion turning sour.
They say matching outfits aren't scary—whoever looks worse feels embarrassed.
But even Amelia had to admit that age had taken its toll on her. Grace was young and beautiful, with a slender figure, tight skin, and a face full of youthful collagen—naturally gorgeous and striking.
Grace had completely outshone her!
Amelia was furious!
She pointed at Grace and demanded, "Who is that person?"
One of Amelia's entourage glanced at Grace and immediately replied, "A newly hired account representative."
"A mere account representative dressing so flashily for work? Does she think just anyone can wear Hermes? Is she here to work or compete in a beauty pageant?" Amelia snapped.
"Well..."
"Call her over."
The man turned to Grace. "New employee, come here."
"Grace, that's Mr. Allen. Like Amelia, he's a board member of Horizon Group. He's calling you over," a nearby colleague whispered helpfully.
Grace walked toward Amelia with calm composure.
Amelia looked her up and down coldly. "That outfit is counterfeit, isn't it? Though I'll admit the cut is remarkably close to the original." She couldn't believe a lowly account representative could afford such an expensive dress, especially one that wasn't easily obtainable.
"Hello, Amelia. This dress is authentic—purchased from a Hermes boutique," Grace replied.
Her words prompted incredulous stares from colleagues.
Since Grace's arrival, coworkers had kept their distance because they assumed she was a show-off new employee wearing knockoff Hermes to work.
And she'd had the misfortune to match Amelia's outfit.
Amelia was a devoted Hermes fanatic—everything from head to toe, clothes to bags, was Hermes.
Yet Grace claimed hers was authentic.
"Is she joking? If she can afford Hermes, why would she need this job?"
"Maybe she married well!"
"If she married well, why work? Work is exhausting—if I had a husband supporting me, I'd never subject myself to corporate misery."
Murmurs filled the air, with one colleague whispering, "No wonder Amelia's upset. Same Hermes dress, but youth and beauty win out. Amelia got shown up—how could she not be bitter?"
This comment reached Amelia's ears, sending her into a rage.
She looked around and demanded sharply, "Who's whispering over there!"
The vast office fell silent.
Amelia turned back to Grace, pointing at her dress. "Change out of that immediately! Dressing like this at the office—remember your place. Dressed like that for whom?"