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Chapter 116
~Zara’s POV~
The smug satisfaction I felt was worth every second of that exchange. As I slipped into the red sequin dress, its shimring fabric fitting perfectly, I couldn’t help but smile. Aira clapped her hands in approval.
"Perfect," she said, grinning. "Let’s go show this dress off."
With a last glance in the mirror, I followed her out of the fitting room, feeling a surge of confidence I hadn’t felt in a long ti. The boutique staff, having witnessed our earlier exchange, watched with admiration. Word seed to spread fast; the whispers and glances only confird that Zoe had finally t her match.
Once we finished shopping and arranged for everything to be delivered, we made our way out to the car waiting outside. The driver opened the door for us, and as I slipped inside, I caught sight of Snow’s text on my phone.
"Shopping spree successful?" it read.
I grinned, typing back, "Very. Thanks to Aira, we even secured a new business investnt."
Monts later, he replied, "I look forward to hearing more. You deserve the best, Zara."
His words left a warm feeling, one that lingered as we drove back to the mansion.
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~Snow’s POV~
Hearing about Zara’s bold purchase had only deepened my admiration for her. She wasn’t afraid to take charge, to show strength when needed. My respect for her had grown exponentially since that first day when everything had been more a matter of duty than choice. Now, it was... sothing more. Sothing personal.
As I stood in the study, waiting for her return, Glacier’s voice echoed in my mind. "You’re falling for her, you know."
"I know," I replied, a small smile playing on my lips.
Glacier chuckled. "Then let’s make sure she knows she’s protected and that she has a true partner by her side. The kind that doesn’t just defend—but cherishes."
It wasn’t long before I heard the sound of Zara and Aira laughing as they entered the hallway. I left the study and walked towards them, feeling an unfamiliar anticipation.
As Zara stepped into the foyer, my breath caught. The red dress she wore, bold and shimring, seed made just for her. She t my gaze, a hint of a smirk in her eyes, and for a mont, it felt as if it were only the two of us in the room.
"Well?" she asked, her tone playful. "What do you think?"
I didn’t hesitate. "You’re stunning."
Aira gave us a knowing smile, patting Zara on the shoulder. "I’ll leave you two to it. Zara, I had a blast today. We’ll need to do this more often."
With a quick wink, Aira slipped away, leaving us alone. I took Zara’s hand, pulling her closer, my gaze steady.
"You know," I began, my voice soft, "the way you handled things today—owning the boutique, putting Zoe in her place... I’m impressed. You’re more than I ever expected."
Shock flickered in her eyes. "How did you know about Zoe?"
I rolled my eyes. Having a senior sister had its perks. Zara gasped slightly. "Oh, Aira." I nodded.
"Yes."
"You are not angry that your mistress was humiliated by ?"
I shook my head. "Not at all. Besides, my wife should be the one always winning in cases like this and I have no mistress, just a wife."
"Cheesy." She blushed slightly, but there was a newfound confidence in her eyes. "Well, I figured I’d put that credit card you gave to beneficial use."
"Looks like you did," I replied, leaning in slightly. "You’re not just a beautiful face, Zara. You’re smart, brave... and today, you showed just how fierce you can be."
Her gaze softened as she held mine. "Maybe I’m just learning that I don’t need to hold back," she murmured, the light in her eyes matching the spark I felt.
The space between us seed to disappear as I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her lips parted, her breath catching just slightly.
Before I could stop myself, I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips, feeling her respond, her hand moving to rest against my chest. She pulled away, her cheeks flushed, but her gaze remained steady.
"Umm..."
I smiled at her speechlessness. "Why don’t you, Aira and Storm go out?"
"Storm has gone to school," she reminded .
"Okay, you and Aira can go anywhere you want. My threat."
Zara looked at suspiciously. "Why are you spoiling ?"
"I shrugged it off. "Nothing really. I just need you to relax. Oh, you can pick up Ella along the way if she’s free too. I’d love to join but I’m needed in a eting at the company."
"Oh. Okay, thanks."
"Anyti, wifey."
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~Zoe’s POV~
I stord into the house, the humiliation from the boutique still burning inside . How could Zara humiliate like that? The audacity!
And to think she had done it with my future sister-in-law’s help.
One of the maids approached, greeting with a polite smile that only irritated further.
"Where is my sister?" I demanded, barely looking at her.
The maid flinched slightly but answered, "The young miss isn’t ho, ma’am. She left early this morning."
I huffed, brushing past her, my heels clicking sharply on the marble floor as I stord toward the stairs. I needed to calm down before I figured out what to do next.
"Zoe!" A voice bood, freezing mid-step. I recognized that tone instantly. Slowly, I turned, dread creeping in as my father’s furious gaze locked onto .
"Father..." I murmured, dropping my gaze in a vain attempt to avoid the storm that I knew was coming.
"Do you care to explain what just happened?" His voice was low and controlled, which I knew was a bad sign. "I just received a call. My shares in the entire Cristello clothing line? Revoked. Just like that. And I wonder, Zoe—did you have sothing to do with it?"
"Father, it’s not as it seems..." I began, but he cut off, his eyes narrowing.
"Not as it seems?" His voice rose a fraction, his control beginning to slip. "Cristello has been one of our strongest partnerships for years, and now they’ve completely severed ties with us. I had to find out through them, rather than from my own daughter."
"It was Zara," I muttered, my voice defensive. "She... she bought the brand to humiliate . She—"
"So, you’re telling you lost a brand partnership, one of our most profitable ones, because of so petty feud?" His voice dripped with contempt, and he took a step closer, his presence towering over . "Do you even realize the damage this has done?"
"It wasn’t my fault!" I tried to explain but my voice wavered. "She had no right, Father. She... she embarrassed in public!"
"And that’s what concerns you?" he sneered. "Your pride?" He shook his head, his tone turning cold. "If you weren’t so focused on your own vanity, you might have thought about the consequences. This isn’t a ga, Zoe."
I felt a flicker of anger under his words, but his intensity quickly doused it, leaving only the bitter sting of humiliation.
"Fix it," he ordered sharply. "I don’t care what it takes. You’ll apologize if you must, but you will nd this, Zoe. And if you fail..." His gaze was like steel. "Consider this your last chance to prove your worth in this family."
He turned on his heel and strode away, leaving standing there, feeling smaller than I’d ever felt before.
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