Chapter 366

Isabella regained her composure. She shot Harrison a challenging look before disappearing into the dressing room with the lace gown.

Moments later, she emerged to immediate praise from Victoria and Penelope.

"Isabella, you're absolutely breathtaking!"

The dress did accentuate Isabella's beauty, but her expression betrayed discomfort. The waistline felt painfully constricting.

Inside the dressing room, she'd struggled to fasten the zipper, holding her breath until it barely closed.

She twirled before Nathaniel, the delicate fabric swirling around her. "Well? How do I look?"

Nathaniel's gaze remained impassive, his silence heavy.

Victoria rushed to fill the void. "Darling, you're stunning! As the prima ballerina, you outshine every ordinary woman here!"

A sudden tearing sound interrupted her. The delicate lace at Isabella's waist had split open.

Victoria's mouth snapped shut.

Isabella shrieked, hands flying to cover the gaping fabric. The humiliation burned hotter than the spotlight during her worst performance. And Nathaniel had witnessed it all.

The sales associate cleared her throat. "Perhaps you'd prefer the next size up, madam?"

The suggestion stung more than the dress's failure. Isabella's pride couldn't stomach admitting she needed a larger size.

Oliver's laughter rang out. "Ms. Isabella, is this your usual size? Clearly you've put on some weight recently."

Isabella's glare could have melted steel.

Oliver continued mercilessly, "Though honestly, comparing your figure to Harrison's is unfair. She's always had that natural, effortless grace."

Humiliation curdled into rage. Isabella turned on Harrison, venom dripping from her words. "You planned this! You knew this would happen and let me walk into this trap!"

Harrison blinked innocently. "Shouldn't you know your own measurements better than I do?"

Isabella's retort died as Nathaniel's commanding voice cut through the tension.

"Enough."

His icy stare silenced them all. "This ends now."

Victoria hustled Isabella back toward the dressing room. "Go change immediately!"

Isabella's face paled. She'd hoped to impress Nathaniel, not become a laughingstock. With reluctant steps, she retreated.

Oliver slung an arm around Harrison. "Let's find somewhere less... dramatic to shop."

Harrison nodded, eager to escape the scene. "Agreed."

As they passed Margaret and Penelope, Harrison paused. "Here's some free advice - ask Dr. Sinclair for money tonight. Let's see how generous she is."

Oliver's brows shot up. "Dr. Sinclair?"

Margaret and Penelope exchanged glances before recovering their composure.

"That's right, Mr. Oliver! Dr. Sinclair and I are together now," Penelope declared proudly.

"And soon to be family!" Margaret added with a smug smile.

Oliver's laughter held disbelief. "Dr. Sinclair isn't a man. She's a woman."