Chapter 183
Chapter 183
“Cindy!” a woman called out as she entered the room.
385%;
(+58)
She walked in like she owned the place, head high, still wearing her robe but with her makeup already done. A designer bag hung off one shoulder. She didn’t even glance at Izzy. Instead, she smiled at the short–haired woman and moved in to kiss both her cheeks.
“It’s been too long,” the woman said. “I’ve missed you.”
Izzy remained seated, watching.
ミ
The woman turned her back on her and faced Cindy again. “I came to pick up the black dress. The one with the slit. You remember, right? It was supposed to be delivered to my dressing room an hour ago.”
Cindy took a small step backward. “Miss Sarano. It’s good to see you.”
Of course. Cassandra Sarano. Actress. Drama queen. Headache. Izzy had seen the woman on TV. She had also read some news about her from Cecil but this would be the first time meeting her in person.
Cassandra waved her hand. “I was told by Lawrence DeWitt himself that the dress was tailored for me. He said it would be perfect for the event tonight. So imagine my surprise when I showed up and it wasn’t even there.”
Cindy clasped her hands together. “I understand, and I truly apologize for the confusion. But the dress is already set aside for someone else.”
Cassandra blinked. She finally looked at Izzy as if she just realized that there was someone else in the room.
Izzy didn’t move. She had heard of the name Cindy before. She’s a famous designer of Z’s–a well–known luxury brand tailored for the younger generation. However, Izzy knew that Cindy was also a famous couture designer! Who would have known that Liam would actually let Cindy dress her tonight? Izzy simply met Cassandra’s gaze.
Cassandra narrowed her eyes. She knew all the actresses and actors, both from the US and Europe, but this woman wasn’t one of them. Despite her face, Cassandra couldn’t actually call her a standout beauty, especially one that is suited for the media. Then, was she the wife of a certain producer? Or perhaps a politician?
Cassandra clapped her hands twice. “Everyone out,” she said.
The assistants exchanged glances, but didn’t question it. One by one, they exited the room.
Only three of them remained now–Cassandra, Cindy, and Izzy.
“I failed to ask for your name,” Cassandra said as she turned to Izzy.
“Isabella,” Izzy replied.
Cassandra smiled. “Isabella,” she repeated. “I’m Cassandra Sarano. You must’ve heard of me.”
“Yes,” Izzy said. “I have.”
Cassandra beamed. “Good. Then I won’t waste time. It’s not in my nature. Since you heard our little discussion earlier direct. I want to wear the black dress. I’ll compensate you, of course. And as a bonus, I’ll give you my autograph. Plus an original CD of my upcoming single. With my signature.”
Izzy blinked and looked at Cindy. Cindy only shrugged, a small gesture that told Izzy she could handle it however she wanted.
Izzy turned back to Cassandra. “How much are you willing to pay?”
де
11:15 Fri, 28 Mar
Chapter 183
Cassandra smiled. “Ten thousand dollars. I can write a check now.”
Izzy didn’t blink. “Five million. I want five million in diamonds.”
85%
58
Cassandra stared at her, unsure if she heard right. Then she laughed. “That’s funny. But really… who would pay five million for a dress?”
Izzy didn’t move. “You. You will, if you think it’s worth it.”
Cassandra’s face immediately turned red. Just what the heck is this woman thinking? Five million? Just for a damn dress? Cassandra’s eyes flicked toward Cindy, who was still standing quietly off to the side, arms crossed, watching the exchange like it was her afternoon entertainment. Cassandra narrowed her eyes.
Cindy had always been a bit of an eccentric. The kind of person who didn’t care about wealth or status but obsessed over patterns, stitching, and fabric flow. She’d turn down a millionaire if the client dared to wear the wrong shoes to a fitting. That kind of person.
Still, Cassandra decided to try her luck.
“You know, Cindy,” she said, stepping closer. “You could get a lot more attention if you partnered with someone like me. I could showcase your work on my socials. One post and the whole thing would go viral. Your name would blow up–again.”
In Cassandra’s mind, it was an obvious move. She glanced at Izzy, who hadn’t said a word. Just sitting there in that chair like she had anything to prove.
Cassandra didn’t recognize her. Not from any events, not from the business circles she frequented, and certainly not from the entertainment industry. She scanned her face again. Still nothing. No name popped into her head.
Maybe a politician’s wife? No–too low profile.
She thought through a mental list of businessmen. CEOs. Venture capitalists. Startup founders. Nothing. No match. The woman had no identifiable backing. Which left only one possibility.
Mistress.
That explained everything. Some small–time businessman with too much money and a midlife crisis. Probably thought he could buy his way into relevance through connections. Maybe he threw money at Cindy and asked her to “dress my girl” just to get her face seen. Maybe that’s why Cindy was playing along–just another job.
Cassandra looked back at Cindy and raised an eyebrow. “It would be a shame to waste your work on someone who doesn’t have the platform to show it off. Let’s be real. Who’s going to see it if she wears it? A few friends at a dinner party?”
She tilted her chin slightly. “You and I both know this dress deserves better.”
Cindy shifted slightly. “The dress has already been adjusted to Isabella’s proportions. It won’t fit you.”
Cassandra’s eyes widened. “Then change it! You still have time.”
Cindy shook her head. “I can’t.”
“I’m wearing that dress,” Izzy said, standing up. “And I’ll be the one wearing it tonight.”
Cassandra turned sharply to Cindy. “Do you even know who asked me to wear that dress? Who told me it was meant fo.
me?”
“I do,” Cindy said.
Cassandra crossed her arms. “Then you should also know who’s been supporting your recent shows. Who’s been talking about your work to sponsors. Who’s been pushing your name to the press.”
гII, 20 Ividi
+58)
Chapter 183
Cindy didn’t respond.
Cassandra took a step forward. “Lawrence DeWitt likes your designs. He’s the one who wanted me in that dress tonight. If I make a call and tell him you ignored a direct request, what do you think will happen? Do you want your next show at NYFW canceled? You think I can’t make that happen?”
