Chapter 675

Camille arrived at her design studio only to find Elva sitting rigidly, as if awaiting a verdict.

“Are you the wife of Mr. Chambers?” she inquired with a touch of surprise.

Elva, flustered, rose to her feet. “Ms. Camille,” she corrected, her voice a soft tremor.

Camille’s gaze swept over the woman before her. She had expected the grand dame of the Chambers family to be an epitome of sophistication and brashness. But the reality was quite different.

Elva was clad in a simple white power suit with her hair pulled back into a neat chignon. Despite the impeccable makeup, it couldn’t mask her pallor and the weariness in her eyes.

“Mrs. Chambers, please take a seat,” Camille offered, her voice even.

She had come with a grudge against the Chambers Group but seeing Elva, the anger just wouldn’t surface. Instead, she decided to wait and see what card Elva would play.

“Ms. Camille, I know it’s quite presumptuous of me to come unannounced, but I really need your help to design an evening gown,” Elva pleaded urgently. “Money is no object. Whatever others can offer, I can double, triple it. I just need you to make a dress for me. Please,”

“Mrs. Chambers, I’m just a designer, Camille chided gently, noting how Elva’s hands trembled around her teacup, her eyes glazed over. “But you should know, ever since my studio opened, we’ve operated strictly by appointment. No one can bypass this rule.”

She was interrupted by a sudden, soft thud Elva had collapsed to her knees!

“Mrs. Chambers! What are you doing?” Camille exclaimed, rushing to help her up.

As she pulled Elva to her feet, Camille’s eyes caught sight of bruised and bloodied skin beneath the sleeve that had ridden up – a sight that struck her to the core.

Memories of her mother enduring humiliation and abuse at the hands of the man who called himself her father flashed before Camille’s eyes.

“I must get a dress from you because only a creation by you can truly stand out. No one else’s work is even worth considering,” Elva said, her body trembling, her voice choked with unshed tears. “If you refuse me, I’ll stay on my knees right here!”

“Please, don’t do this. Stand up and let’s talk,” Camille said, her voice hoarse as she tried to maintain composure. “I’ll help you, let’s take your measurements. Perhaps I have something ready–to–wear that would suit you.”

Gratitude filled Elva’s reddened eyes as she clung to Camille’s hand. “Thank you, truly, thank you so much.”

With the studio staff and assistants dismissed, it was just the two of them. Camille took Elva’s measurements and selected three gowns that matched her status and poise.

what do you think of these three? If they’re not to your liking, I can find others,”

might change her mind.

clenched at the sight of Elva’s strained demeanor. “Ready–to–wear isn’t as perfect as bespoke. They might need adjustments. Why don’t you try it

into the

swirled in her mind, unsettling her. She grabbed a bottle of ice–cold water from the fridge, gulping it

the fitting room jolted her.

Chambers? Are you alright? Mrs. Chambers?” Camille called out, her voice

the worst and

she

marred by

covered Elva with her own jacket, gently lifting her up, and pinching

wake

eyes fluttered open,

1/3

09:30

Chapter 675

and concern, asked, “Mrs. Chambers, what happened to you? What

she turned away, unable to face

Matthew hurting you?”

Camille, that’s my personal business, please, don’t ask,” Elva said, struggling to dress herself as she prepared to flee. “I’ll transfer the money for the dress, and my assistant will pick it up. Thank you for your

shouted after her, “Mrs. Chambers! Domestic abuse will never stop once it begins! You know better than anyone the humiliation and pain you’ve been enduring all these years! Do you really want to spend the rest of your life with a man worse than a beast? How

her composure shattered. “Right now, I can at least survive. But if I resist,

voice hoarse with emotion. “Not fighting back is the real dead–end! Mrs. Chambers,

door slammed shut before she could finish her

indignation. A thought began to form in her

emotions.

the studio’s front yard when another luxury sedan arrogantly pulled in, parking right in front of the villa, flouting all semblance of decorum despite

way, the drive here was a total nightmare!” complained a woman stepping out

Camille’s half–sister, Eunice

a plump, middle–aged woman with a pinched face and eyes that seemed perpetually arched in disapproval. It was Eunice’s mother, Mrs. Evert. “This so–called ‘renowned designer‘ is just a title she’s given herself, laying the groundwork to snag a wealthy husband. As if anyone reputable would want her

mom, you hit the

get it, why didn’t we hire a better designer for my engagement dress? Our family can certainly afford it.

to save and when to spend. Having Camille design your dress is not only utilizing her skills, which would otherwise be a waste, but it’s also a test of obedience from your father, to remind her of her place in the Evert family. Even though

these schemes in mind, the duo grandly entered the

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