Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim by Dream Fish

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

After a brief pause, Angela smiled, “Oh, really? I didn't know that. Dexter bought this dress. for me. As for where he got it, or how many there are in the country-I honestly have no Idea. I have plenty of dresses like this in my closet, Ms. Carrey. If you like, I can give you a few.”

Angela's voice was clear and pleasant to the ears. Her gaze was pure and free of any hint of sarcasm. It was as if she hadn't noticed the mocking undertone in Shelley's and Elena's words.

Elena's face fell instantly. She couldn't believe that the dress she had been so proud of was nothing more than one of the less remarkable pieces in Angela's closet. It was impossible.

Dexter would never take Angela shopping, let alone buy her such a dress!

Shelley noticed Elena's reaction and took a step forward. She snapped at Angela, nonsense are you saying? Why would Dexter buy you clothes? Everyone knows you threw yourself at him. He-”

“Why are you so worked up, Ms. Ruthford? You're getting a bit too emotional,” Angela said with a faint smile, unfazed. "Here I was, thinking that you only paid attention to others' clothes, but I see you're also interested in their men."

Shelley shut up upon hearing that.

"It would be better for you to mind your own business, Ms. Ruthford. You can't always jump to defend others just because they give you a look, only to end up with nothing for yourself while they laugh at you behind your back,” Angela reminded, smiling as innocently as ever.

Shelley was furious and was practically itching to tear her apart, but something did feel off. Hadn't she stepped in because Elena had left the opening for her to confront Angela?

Could it be...

"Let's go, Shelley. If Ms. Graham doesn't appreciate our company, we should keep our distance from her," Elena said, taking Shelley's hand and leading her toward the ballroom.

Shelley suppressed her suspicions and followed without further comment.

Elena's beauty, gentle demeanor, and reputation as an artist made her a natural center of attention wherever she went. As soon as she appeared, all eyes turned to her.

Dexter noticed her as well.

intelligence, she far surpassed the less intelligent and refined young ladies in

1/4

Chapter 11

him, she was

to raise his glass

was exactly the effect she wanted-to make

you look gorgeous tonight. Here's a toast

Carrey, when will you grace us with your

dress is stunning,

Elena was surrounded by admirers. She basked in their attention, exchanging toasts and moving gracefully among them like a

spread through the crowd

Mrs. Bamford? She's wearing

timid and has no

But she does seem a little

went,

had seen her as the desperate fool who clung to him, only to be constantly dismissed. Angela

different.

confident air about her that night. She walked to the center of the ballroom with her head held high, looking down

here shortly, Please wait a moment," Igor Chase. whispered in her ear. He was Joseph's personal assistant, and he was the only

just told us that you bought her

us know? We'd love to get one

you

toward Angela's dress. People thought that the dress was exquisite -as

hesitate to deny it in front of everyone or say something to

forward and linked

smiled and replied, “Aren't you asking the obvious, Ms. Ruthford? While we were at the entrance, you just commented that my dress

in Dexter's ear,

two of them could hear what she had just said, and Dexter

glanced down with a complicated expression as he looked at her arm in his. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the