Creator’s Thought
116 Applauded
116 Applauded
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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 shimmering 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 time. The boutique staff, having
witnessed our earlier exchange, watched with
admiration. Word seemed to spread fast; the whispers and glances only confirmed that Zoe had finally met 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
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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 investment.”
Moments later, he replied, “I look forward to hearing more. You deserve the best, Zara.“R
2
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… something more. Something “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.”
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“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 shimmering, seemed made just for her. She met my gaze, a hint of a smirk in her eyes, and for a moment, it felt as if it were only the
two of us in the room. 2
“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.
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“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 me?”
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 me 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.”
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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 seemed 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 me.
“Okay, you and Aira can go anywhere you want. My
threat.”
Zara looked at me suspiciously. “Why are you spoiling
me?”
“I shrugged it off. “Nothing really. I just need you to relax. Oh, you can pick up Ella along the way if she’s
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free too. I’d love to join but I’m needed in a meeting at
the company.”
“Oh. Okay, thanks.”
“Anytime, wifey.”
*****
~Zoe’s POV~
I stormed into the house, the humiliation from the boutique still burning inside me. How could Zara humiliate me 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 me with a polite smile that only irritated me further.
“Where is my sister?” I demanded, barely looking at her.
The maid flinched slightly but answered, “The young miss isn’t home, ma’am. She left early this morning.”
I huffed, brushing past her, my heels clicking sharply on the marble floor as I stormed toward the stairs. I
needed to calm down before I figured out what to do
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next.
“Zoe!” A voice boomed, freezing me mid–step. I recognized that tone instantly. Slowly, I turned, dread creeping in as my father’s furious gaze locked onto me.
“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 something to do with it?”
“Father, it’s not as it seems…” I began, but he cut me 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 me. She—”
“So, you’re telling me you lost a brand partnership,
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one of our most profitable ones, because of some petty feud?” His voice dripped with contempt, and he took a step closer, his presence towering over me. “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 me 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 game, 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 mend 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 me standing there, feeling smaller than I’d ever felt
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