A Snobbish Bridal Shop Manager Kicked Me Out, but the Owner Had a Shocking Secret
Previously: When Clara was cruelly humiliated outside an upscale bridal boutique for admiring a dress, she never expected the shop’s mysterious owner to step in and change her life forever.
The Shadow of Betrayal
Victoria stepped closer, lowering her voice so the passing crowd couldn't hear, but her words were sharper than physical blows. "Listen to me, Clara," she hissed. "You are a nobody now. A street rat. Do you really think anyone would believe this masterpiece belongs to you? I took what you couldn't use anymore. Now get lost before I have the police throw you in jail for vagrancy."
Clara’s breath hitched. It was a confession. Victoria had stolen her digital portfolio during the chaos of the fire, claiming Clara's brilliant designs as her own to land this prestigious job. Feeling utterly defeated, Clara turned to walk away, her spirit entirely broken.
Suddenly, the boutique door opened once more, and a tall, elegant woman with silver hair and an aura of absolute power stepped out. It was Evelyn Vance, the legendary fashion mogul and the ultimate owner of the entire boutique franchise. Victoria’s sneer instantly dissolved into a sycophantic smile.
"Mrs. Vance! I am so sorry for the disturbance,"
Victoria lied smoothly, gesturing toward Clara.
"I was just handling this nuisance. She was loitering and bothering our high-end clientele."
But Evelyn Vance didn’t look at Victoria. Her sharp, piercing eyes were locked entirely on Clara—or more specifically, on the tattered green cardigan Clara wore. Evelyn’s face drained of color, and her hands began to tremble.
Ignoring Victoria completely, Evelyn walked up to Clara and reached out a hand.
"Where did you get that green cardigan?"
she asked, her voice cracking with an emotion that shocked everyone present.
Clara swallowed hard, terrified.
"It... it belonged to my late mother, Helen. She knitted it for me before she passed away in the fire last year."
Evelyn gasped, tears springing to her eyes as she stared at Clara’s face, finally seeing the striking family resemblance.
"Helen was my sister,"
Evelyn whispered.
"She ran away decades ago to live a quiet life, and I never stopped searching for her. You... you are my niece."
”You... you are my niece."