Chapter 48
My lip curled in a sneer instantly as I felt smug inside. Spending 300 thousand dollars on clothes for someone he didn’t like, Harlan must be burning a hole in his wallet.
“Is that a problem?” I batted my eyelashes. “I’m showing up as your girlfriend tomorrow. If I’m dressed in a cheap dress, what will people think of you?”
“I don’t like this one. Pick another,” he said flatly.
1 raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Shannon, do you really dislike the dress, or are you just reluctant to spend that much?”
“You really want it?” he shot back.
I hummed in agreement. He suddenly sneered, “Charlene, is it the dress you want, or are you planning to wear it to tempt someone else?”
1 frowned, wondering what Harlan was implying.
“You bought such a provocative dress. Are you trying to hook someone at Grandpa’s banquet?” he asked.
At this, I thought Harlan was off the rails. “Harlan, even if I was
tempting
someone, what’s it to you? We’re just a couple in name only.”
He fell silent and then suddenly chuckled darkly after a beat. “Figures, Charlene. You’ve always had an agenda.
With that, he hung up.
I had no clue how Harlan jumped to that conclusion. He was such a psycho.
I couldn’t be bothered. Once Shane’s illness was cured, my tolerance for Harlan’s face would be done. If things got unbearable, quitting the company wasn’t out of the question.
That night, Harlan knocked on my door. I opened it to see him hand over a bag, his face calm.
I glanced at it. The logo was Nicloes, a hot brand known for its designs. It was probably not cheaper than the one I picked earlier.
Harlan said to me coldly, “Wear this tomorrow.”
Without waiting for my input, he turned and left.
I paused, said nothing, and shut the door.
I opened the bag. There was a black gown with a clever design. The waist had some cutouts, not too revealing but perfectly accentuating the curves. Even the fabric shimmered with gold threads, dazzling under the light.
To be fair, Harlan’s pick was better than mine.
Harlan was a jerk, but he had taste.
I hung the dress up and went back to my event plan.
It was almost done.
I worked late into the night and then crashed carly.
The next morning, I slipped into the gown and preened in the mirror.
The dress suited me to a T. The cutouts at the waist were teasing.
The mermaid skirt hugged my figure–slim waist, long legs, and all the right curves.
I was thrilled, almost regretting having to sit in my wheelchair.
The next second, there was a knock. I hopped back into my wheelchair and slowly opened the door.
There stood Harlan. He glanced down, and I caught a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
His gaze lingered on my chest–the fabric there was a bit sheer, not see–through but definitely alluring.
IN
