Natalie just cast a look at Dalores, and then walked out of the room to greet Laney herself.
Assisted by a servant, an elegantly-dressed woman got out of the posh Mercedes-Maybach.She was wearing a salmon pink dress under a creamy white knitted coat.Her long hair was nicely coiffed.
To complete her sophisticated look, a strand of lustrous pearl necklace hung on her slender neck.
When she saw Natalie, Laney smiled.
“I didn’t expect you to come and pick me up.”
“Well, I know you’re coming,” Natalie said as she walked towards Laney.She then reached out to hold Laney’s hands.
‘I’m so happy to see you looking so good.”
Taking a glance at the studio, Laney asked in a soft voice. “Is there a celebration inside? I can hear it from here.Quite lively, it seems.”
“Oh. it’s nothing,” Natalie said, smiling.
“We’re just talking about work, so it’s a bit spirited.”
Dalores rushed out of the studio, thinking that there would be a big order.She wanted to welcome the lady that the receptionist mentioned. She had just taken a few steps when she saw Natalie and Laney coming in, talking and laughing.
Dalore’s smile froze for a moment.She then turned around with disappointment.
Dalores was well-informed from all the gossip she had heard from the upper-class ladies’ circle.
Laney’s birth family was not really wealthy, so she had no status in the Harding family.But she was carrying a Harding child so she was just relying on how favorably the child might be to them.
Dalores sneaked a glance at Laney’s belly.
Noticing the baby bump, she sneered.
Laney was just another plain Jane who got lucky to be pregnant with a Harding child.
Natalie brought Laney into the dressing room where a stunning outfit was hanging in the closet.She removed the dress from the rack and motioned for Laney to try it on.
“As you’re pregnant now, I may have to modify the waistline so you can wear it at the dinner party.”
Laney nodded, smiling sheepishly.She then went inside the fitting room and closed the door behind her.
A little while later, Laney opened the door.She stuck out her head, revealing her slightly crimson face.
“Something’s wrong?” asked Natalie in a low voice as she shuffled over to Laney.
“The dress doesn’t fit you?”
Laney shook her head and said, “The dress fits me very well, but I seldom wear such close-fitting clothes so I feel a little embarrassed.”
She then walked out of the fitting room.
Natalie’s eyes lit up.
The black dress fitted Laney.
The dress was made from soft lightweight fabric that the hemline fell flowingly just above the knee.
The off-shoulder design drew the attention to the slender neck and straight back. The overall effect gave Laney an even more elegant look.The others in the studio couldn’t help but gasp in admiration for Laney.
They complimented on how beautiful she looked and how the dress fitted her perfectly.
“Well, well, well, Natalie had designed the dress beautifully!”
Tasha was very impressed.
“Miss Laney, the dress looks great on you.Mrs.Harding will definitely approve of it.”
As soon as Tasha had finished speaking, she caught Dalores glaring at her.She felt uneasy, so she decided to keep her mouth shut.
Dalores looked at the dress on Laney and was not happy with what she saw.
But she had to admit that Natalie was really talented as a designer.
The dress looked amazing on Laney, even enhancing her already beautiful features.
What made Dalores even angrier was Laney would wear the gorgeous dress to the charity ball, which would be attended by many celebrities.
And Laney’s stunning appearance could make Natalie famous.
This had happened to Draco.
He became famous overnight for a haute couture dress.
Would Natalie have the same luck? Dalores felt goose bumps thinking about this.
Natalie seemed oblivious to all the compliments.Her eyes were fixed on Laney.
The dress she made was beautiful on Laney.
The waist area however was a little tight, accentuating the baby bump.
When Natalie was about to say something, she was interrupted by Dalores, “Miss Laney, as you are clearly pregnant, the dress only makes you look more plump.”
Laney’s face flushed with embarrassment.She didn’t want to make her pregnancy known to the public just yet.
Dalores was being blatant in her statement.
Laney kept quiet.
Seeing this, Dalores continued, “You all know I’m right.If it weren’t for the baby, Miss Laney wouldn’t be here trying on the dress.I’m afraid it will be next to impossible for her to even marry into the Harding family.”
Every single person who ran in the circle of the wealthy women knew about what had happened between Laney and Garrett, but it was a brand spanking news for people who didn’t form part of this circle.
When the designers of the studio heard what Dalores said, they exchanged weary glances with each other.
Some of them couldn’t even hide their shock and their jaws dropped to the floor.
All color drained from Laney’s face.She held her dress tightly and stood dead still on the spot, with a complete and utter loss regarding what she should do.
Natalie felt heartbroken as she looked at Laney who had deliberately lowered her head with shame.
She could not put up with Dalores a second longer! There was no underlying enmity between Laney and Dalores, but the latter had purposely disclosed the former’s private information, which was her most protected secret. noveloz.com
‘Dalores, it seems that you really don’t have much work to do today.
You still have time to gossip’ Natalie remarked in a snarky tone.
‘What? I am not allowed to even speak in the office now?’ Dalores was also furious but her eyes fell instead on the female bodyguard standing alongside Natalie.
The bodyguard took a step forward with a threatening look on her face, so Dalores quite suddenly lowered her voice.
