Chapter 233 Their Changes
Ever since they decided to attend the cruise appreciation event, the Martinez family had been caught up in a joyful bustle.
Mabel spent every day enthusiastically working on her noodles in the kitchen.
The dough had to be made with freshly ground high-gluten flour—only then would it be chewy enough when kneaded.
The sauce must use meat with both fat and lean parts, diced small, slowly rendered over low heat to release the fat, then stir-fried with some sauce to create that glossy red color.
Even the noodle toppings had to be cut very fine and arranged neatly.
Every detail was perfected, as if she wasn't preparing a bowl of noodles, but a work of art.
Robert wasn't idle either.
He dug out the purple clay tea set he'd treasured for years and rarely showed anyone, wiping it over and over with a soft cloth dipped in water until the teapot's surface gleamed with a warm luster.
He planned to bring it along, saying it was because they were used to drinking from it, but in his heart, he was thinking he couldn't lose face in front of Dione and those important people.
Watching Mabel and Robert looking both expectant and nervous, Cecilia felt wrapped in warmth.
Cecilia knew they were being so serious not just to experience a grand occasion, but because this was the first time Stefan, the man she'd decided to marry, was bringing them into his world.
They didn't want to embarrass Cecilia.
Friday afternoon, after Stefan finished the last bit of business at the company, he drove over himself.
A low-key black car pulled up downstairs, but the person who stepped out was anything but low-key.
Behind Stefan followed a team of nearly ten people, all wearing well-tailored black uniforms, carrying garment bags of all sizes and jewelry boxes printed with luxury brand logos, moving silently and professionally.
Cecilia raised an eyebrow at the scene.
"Stefan, did you just move the backstage of Valeria Fashion Week straight to my house?"
Stefan walked to her side, his gaze falling on her smiling eyes, his lips curving up too.
"First time accompanying Mr. Martinez and Mrs. Martinez to a formal occasion—some preparation is necessary." Stefan said it matter-of-factly.
Mabel and Robert, coming out of their room, froze at the sight of the living room filled with rows of gorgeous gowns and crisp suits.
"This... this won't do!" Mabel waved her hands frantically, nervously wiping them on her apron. "We have clothes to wear, Stefan, you don't need to do this!"
"Mrs. Martinez, this is what I should do."
Stefan's tone was gentle but firm. He looked at Mabel and Robert and bowed slightly.
"This is a small gesture from me as a junior. You and Mr. Martinez are the most important people to Amelia, so naturally you're my elders too. Your dignity is my dignity."
Stefan's words both respected the Martinez family's pride and positioned himself as a junior, so considerate that it warmed Mabel's heart, leaving her unable to refuse.
The lead stylist was a top master Stefan had specially invited from Valeria, named Antonio Puckett, with silver hair combed immaculately.
His gaze lingered on Mabel for a moment.
The Mabel before him was somewhat plump from years of working in the kitchen, with the most simple housewife demeanor.
Antonio didn't choose those tight, revealing evening gowns. Instead, from the row of clothes, he precisely picked out a dark purple haute couture dress with gold embroidered thread.
"Mrs. Martinez, please try this one."
The dress had excellent tailoring, with a loose waist that perfectly flattered Mabel's figure. The fabric had wonderful drape, instantly making her look taller and more upright.
The dark purple was steady and elegant, not flashy, yet conveying a subtle nobility.
The lotus patterns hand-embroidered with gold thread at the collar and cuffs were the finishing touch, instantly elevating the dress's quality.
Mabel was invited into the room, changed into the haute couture dress, and had a makeup artist apply elegant makeup and style her hair into a graceful bun at the back of her head.
When she walked out of the room again, everyone in the living room fell silent for a moment.
Robert's teacup stopped in mid-air, his eyes fixed on Mabel without blinking.
The Mabel in the mirror—her features hadn't changed, but her whole person had transformed.
The traces of fatigue left by years and hard work were covered by elegant makeup. The gorgeous outfit made her radiant, with a gentle and refined temperament radiating from within.
"Oh my... is this really me?" Mabel touched her slightly warm cheeks, unable to believe the person in the mirror was herself.
"Beautiful!" Robert finally snapped out of it, put down his teacup, his Adam's apple bobbing as he praised sincerely, "Honey, no joke, you look really, really beautiful!"
Cecilia nodded with a smile too: "Mom, you look so elegant in this."
Next was Robert.
From years of kneading dough, he'd kept in good shape with strong, solid arms. Antonio chose a suitable suit for him in burgundy fabric that made him look very refined.
Once Robert changed into the suit, he immediately looked vigorous and spirited.
His awkwardness disappeared, replaced by a steady composure refined by time.
Watching Robert and Mabel's transformation, Cecilia felt genuinely happy.
Finally, it was Cecilia's turn.
Everyone's eyes focused on her.
Stefan didn't let the stylist take over. He personally selected a black velvet gown from the row of dresses.
The dress design was extremely simple, without any unnecessary decoration, in the most classic long-sleeved, fitted waist style.
But the haute couture velvet fabric shimmered subtly under the lights, like a deep night sky settled with countless stars, naturally exuding an aloof sophistication.
Cecilia's tall, slender figure made her skin appear even more delicate against the black dress.
At this moment, she was like a black rose standing alone in the dark night—cool, mysterious, with a fatal attraction.
Then Stefan walked to the jewelry box and opened it.
What he took out wasn't those sets of elaborate jewelry, but a simply designed platinum necklace.
The pendant was an enormous pear-shaped pink diamond, perfectly cut, refracting dazzling light.
"Your neck is still missing something."
He walked behind Cecilia and personally fastened the necklace for her.
The cool diamond touched her warm skin, and Cecilia's body stiffened imperceptibly.
She could feel Stefan's warm breath on the back of her neck, carrying a hint of his unique, crisp aggressiveness.
"Done."
Stefan stepped back, his gaze showing undisguised amazement and possessiveness.
The black velvet dress, utterly serene.
The exceptional pink diamond, utterly brilliant.
The two complemented each other perfectly on her, achieving perfect balance.
She both subdued the diamond's brilliance and was illuminated by it, breathtakingly beautiful.
The family, all dressed up, looked at their seemingly transformed selves in the mirror, feeling both novel and excited.
The nervousness and anxiety Mabel and Robert had felt about going to such a grand occasion mostly dissipated through this careful preparation.
Wearing expensive formal wear, they felt like they could stand taller.
Stefan watched this harmonious scene before him, and suddenly a hard corner deep in his heart softened.
This was perhaps what he'd been subconsciously longing for all along.
A real home.
No schemes, no struggles, just the simplest, purest warmth and care.
This warmth—he was claiming it.
No one could destroy it.