Chapter 36: Chapter 36: I Deserve the Best

Lila’s POV

“This car is so cool!” Zoe grinned, opening the passenger-side door. “Get in! We’re going to conquer the mall today!”

I smiled and shook my head, getting into the car. The engine started with a low rumble and we merged seamlessly into the flow of traffic.

“Lila, you don’t seem to be in a very good mood today,” Zoe remarked, keenly sensing my emotions as she drove.

I sighed and told her about Vivian’s return.

When she heard, Zoe was so angry she started slapping the steering wheel. “That Vivian is the worst! Mommy, don’t you be afraid. I’m here. I won’t let her bully you!”

Seeing the righteous indignation on Zoe’s face, a warmth spread through my heart. This girl, my stepdaughter in name but my best friend in reality, always stood by my side without hesitation, ready to defend me.

“Thank you, Zoe,” I said softly.

Zoe turned her head, winked at me, and beamed. “What’s there to thank me for! We’re family!”

The car sped along, and soon we arrived at the most exclusive luxury shopping center in the city—The Grand Pavilion.

It housed all the world’s top luxury brands, a place that countless socialites and wealthy ladies flocked to. Knowing the place like the back of her hand, Zoe parked in a VIP-exclusive spot and then pulled me straight toward the Chanel flagship store on the second floor.

As soon as we entered, a sales associate enthusiastically greeted us. Zoe slapped a black card down on the counter. “Bring out your entire latest haute couture collection for my mom to try on!”

I jumped in surprise and quickly tried to cover her mouth. “Zoe! Are you crazy? Do you know how much that will cost?!”

Zoe pulled my hand away and blinked. “Don’t worry! This is from the allowance Dad gave me. It’d be a waste not to use it! Besides, if you wear beautiful clothes, Dad will be happy, and I’ll be happy. It’s a win-win!”

I sighed helplessly, knowing I couldn’t win against her.

For the next few hours, I was completely at Zoe’s mercy as her personal dress-up doll. From Chanel to Dior, then to Valentino and Prada, I tried on one exquisite haute couture gown after another.

In the Chanel fitting room, I changed into an off-white, one-shoulder gown. The silk fabric clung smoothly to my body, outlining a perfect silhouette. The one-shoulder design tastefully revealed my collarbone and shoulder line, elegant yet alluring. Zoe clapped her hands beside me. “Wow! Mommy! This one is perfect for you! It’s like it was tailor-made!”

At Dior, I tried on a black skirt suit. The sharply tailored blazer had a cinched waist that perfectly accentuated my figure, and paired with the high-waisted pencil skirt, the look was both professional and full of feminine charm. Zoe held up a Lady Dior handbag next to me. “With this bag, it’s killer! The perfect look for a corporate powerhouse!”

’I stared at my reflection, a little dazed. Is this gorgeous clothing, this exquisite makeup, really me? The Lila who once tiptoed around the Goodrich family, terrified of making a mistake? The little girl who cowered and cried in the corner of an orphanage? Could I now really be wearing these priceless designer brands, fawned over like the center of the universe?’

“Lila, what are you thinking about?” Zoe’s voice pulled me back to reality.

“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head with a smile.

“Stop spacing out! Let’s go to the next one!” Zoe pulled me toward the Valentino store next door. She seemed even more excited than I was, shrieking and insisting I try on every beautiful piece of clothing she saw.

In the Valentino store, I tried on a red slip dress. The vibrant red made my skin look even fairer, and the spaghetti straps revealed my slender arms and the elegant lines of my back. Zoe’s eyes went wide. “Oh my god! Mommy! You’re absolutely gorgeous! If Dad sees you in this, he’s definitely going to have a nosebleed!”

Her words made me laugh, but my heart felt sweet. ’That’s right. I’m Jasper’s wife. I’m Zoe’s mother. I’m not that helpless, dependent orphan anymore. I have people who love me, and a safe harbor I can rely on.’

“Okay, that’s everything,” Zoe said, waving over a sales associate. “Bag all of these up, plus the other ones we tried on earlier! On my card!”

“Wait! Zoe!” I quickly stopped her. “It’s too much! I’ll never wear it all!”

“Oh, it’s not that much!” Zoe waved her hand dismissively. “Dad said to buy whatever you like!”

Looking at Zoe’s adorably bossy expression, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This “daughter” of mine in name only sometimes spoiled me even more than Jasper did.

When it was time to pay, I couldn’t help but flinch when I saw the number on the receipt. This afternoon’s shopping spree probably cost more than several years of my old salary. But seeing how happy Zoe was, I thought that maybe indulging like this once in a while wasn’t so bad after all.

By the time we left the mall, the sky had grown completely dark. Zoe, her face flushed with excitement, linked her arm through mine and chattered nonstop. I was carrying several shopping bags, and though my body was a little tired, my heart felt lighter than ever.

’This afternoon’s shopping trip wasn’t just about material gratification; it felt more like a grand coronation. In her own way, Zoe was telling me: Lila, you deserve the best of everything in this world. You’re no longer the foster daughter everyone pushed around. You’re the mistress of the Hale family.’

————

The last rays of the setting sun coated the silhouette of Moon Hidden Villa in a warm, golden light. Zoe’s excitement hadn’t faded one bit, and she insisted on helping me carry all the bags, big and small, into the walk-in closet.

“Lila, you have to show off every single one of these outfits for Dad!” She specifically picked out the deep red Valentino bag, hung it in the most conspicuous spot in my bedroom’s walk-in closet, and gave me a mischievous wink. “Especially this red dress. It’s practically made for a ’candlelit dinner’ for you and Dad!”

I looked at my reflection in the mirror—a little tired, but smiling—and chuckled helplessly. “You and your schemes.”

“This isn’t a scheme, this is me helping you create some romance!” She put her hands on her hips, looking like a self-proclaimed “love guru.” “Think about it! A cold-faced Wolf King like Dad, who rarely even smiles… without a little visual shock, how are you going to shatter his composure in an instant?”

She made me laugh, and I gave her a light push. “Anymore nonsense out of you, and I’m returning all these dresses.”

“No, no, no!” she immediately surrendered, hands in the air, and blinked. “For the sake of your happiness, I even sacrificed my allowance! You have to make my sacrifice worthwhile!”

As she spoke, she was already pulling out her phone and typing furiously, muttering the words aloud: “Dad, Lila’s wearing a stunning red dress and waiting for you in the bedroom~ Remember to come up via the terrace, not the main door. A little romance, like Romeo!”

I reached out to snatch her phone. “Zoe! You’re messing around again!”

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