Chapter 258 Provocation in the Bridal Shop
After officially announcing their engagement, wedding preparations began in earnest.
Today was the day they had scheduled to choose a wedding dress.
Stefan had cleared his entire schedule to accompany Cecilia, along with Robert and his wife, to the most exclusive custom bridal boutique in Harmony City.
The shop operated strictly by appointment, ensuring total privacy. Today, Stefan had booked out the entire store just for their family.
The interior was luxurious and dreamy, with rows of pristine white wedding dresses gleaming under the crystal chandeliers.
"Amelia, look at this one, it's gorgeous!" Mabel grabbed Amelia's hand, pointing at a mermaid-style gown, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I think that one with the lace shawl suits our Amelia's temperament better," Dione offered with a different opinion.
Robert followed behind them, watching Amelia being showered with love, his face lit up with a contented smile.
Cecilia felt warmth spreading through her heart as she watched her family bustling around for her.
She was ushered into the fitting room and, with the designer's help, changed into the first wedding dress.
When she stepped out, everyone present held their breath.
It was an off-the-shoulder gown with a simple yet elegant design. The soft satin fabric perfectly outlined her slender figure, and the long train was adorned with tiny diamonds that sparkled brilliantly as she moved.
"Oh my God, it's stunning!" Mabel was the first to exclaim.
Dione nodded approvingly, her eyes misting over.
Stefan was completely mesmerized.
He stood there, his gaze fixed on Cecilia without blinking, his deep eyes filled with amazement and love.
Cecilia felt a bit self-conscious under his stare, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Well? Does it not look good?" She held up her skirt and twirled in front of him.
Stefan finally snapped out of it.
He stepped forward, gently wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin in the curve of her shoulder. His voice was low and tender, "It's beautiful. You look beautiful in anything."
The family was happy and harmonious, the atmosphere warm and full of joy.
However, this warmth was soon shattered by an unwelcome visitor.
The boutique door was suddenly pushed open, and the entrance wind chimes jingled softly.
The staff was about to inform them that the store was reserved for the day, but froze when they saw who it was.
Stefan and Cecilia also looked toward the sound. When they saw who was standing at the door, the smiles on their faces froze.
It was Rufus.
Beside him, following closely, was a woman—Elodie.
"Mr. Hensley, Amelia, what a coincidence." Rufus ignored their unpleasant expressions and walked right in.
His eyes swept over Cecilia in her wedding dress, a flash of amazement and jealousy crossing them before he quickly masked it.
"I heard you're getting married. Congratulations. Here to pick out a wedding dress today?"
Hearing these loaded words, Stefan's face instantly darkened.
He positioned Cecilia behind him, looking coldly at Rufus. "What are you doing here?"
"Me?" Rufus raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. "I'm here to pick out a wedding dress, too, of course."
As he spoke, he put his arm around Elodie's shoulder.
Elodie's body visibly stiffened, but she still forced out a shy smile, pretending to go along.
Cecilia watched this scene and sneered inwardly.
Pick out a wedding dress? Did he think she'd believe that?
"Really?" Cecilia stepped out from behind Stefan. She didn't want this lunatic to ruin today's good mood and decided to end this quickly. "Mr. Chapman, you move fast. In that case, we should definitely congratulate you."
She glanced at the timid Elodie beside him, her tone carrying a trace of sarcasm.
Elodie felt her scalp tingle under her gaze and instinctively shrank behind Rufus.
"Since Mr. Chapman and Ms. Turner are planning to settle down seriously, why not go ahead and get married?" Cecilia continued, deliberately putting on a helpful air. "I happen to be a designer, so if you need it, I could offer some design suggestions for Ms. Turner's wedding. Consider it a wedding gift."
These words seemed like a blessing on the surface, but were actually mocking.
Everyone present could hear it.
Elodie's face showed embarrassment as she clutched her clothes awkwardly.
Unexpectedly, Rufus not only wasn't angry but actually laughed.
"Amelia, thank you for your kind offer." He looked at Cecilia, his eyes meaningful. "That's a great suggestion. I was thinking the same thing."
As soon as he finished speaking, not only Cecilia but also Stefan, Robert, and Mabel were stunned.
Elodie's head shot up abruptly, looking at Rufus in disbelief.
Rufus, he... what did he just say? Was he going to marry her?
This thought made her heart race wildly, the enormous surprise making her forget the current setting and awkwardness.
"Elodie," Rufus lowered his head, looking at Elodie tenderly, "since Amelia has said so, let's not disappoint her good intentions. You should pick out a wedding dress you like too."
As he spoke, his gaze fell back on the wedding dress Cecilia was wearing, saying deliberately to Elodie, "I think the one she's wearing is quite nice. What do you think?"
Elodie followed his gaze and immediately understood.
Rufus didn't actually want to marry her—he was just using her to disgust Amelia.
Her brief joy was instantly extinguished, replaced by endless coldness and embarrassment.
But she didn't dare resist, only lowering her head and saying quietly, "I think it's very nice."
"Then let's go with this one." Rufus smiled with satisfaction.
He addressed a nearby staff member in a commanding tone, "Wrap this one up for us, too."
The staff member looked uneasy. "I'm sorry, sir. All the wedding dresses in our store are unique designs. There's only one of each style."
"Is that so?" Rufus raised an eyebrow, as if he'd expected this answer all along.
He gave a look at a designer-looking person following behind him.
That person immediately stepped forward with a professional measuring tape, about to measure the dimensions of the wedding dress Cecilia was wearing.
"What are you doing!" Stefan pushed the person away, his face dark as a thundercloud.
"Mr. Hensley, why so worked up?" Rufus said unhurriedly. "Since the store doesn't have an identical one, I'll have someone make a custom copy of this one for Elodie. That should be fine, right? Amelia is so generous, she surely won't mind, will she?"
His gaze looked challengingly at Cecilia.
Cecilia finally confirmed that Rufus was here today specifically to cause trouble.
There was no reasoning with a lunatic like him.
She couldn't be bothered to waste more words on him. She turned directly to Stefan and her parents, saying, "I don't like this one anymore. Let's go look at others."
Cecilia took off the wedding dress and changed back into her own clothes.
But every time she liked one, Rufus would follow over, point at the same one, and say to Elodie, "This one's nice too. We'll take it as well."
Again and again.
Cecilia's patience was finally exhausted.
She didn't want her parents and Stefan to have their spirits dampened by this lunatic anymore.
She walked over to Stefan, took his hand, and said softly, "Stefan, let's go. I don't like any of the wedding dresses here anymore."
Stefan understood what she meant and nodded.
He gave Rufus one cold, indifferent glance, then took Cecilia's hand and led her, along with Robert and his wife, out of the bridal boutique without a backward glance.