Chapter 6
Dad, Winona said with a nod
Leeward raised an eyebrow at her. Winona had always been headstrong, never one to budge on her style choices. Her sudden compliance threw him off.
Ju play along okay? If you’re faking it and mess up my day late, there’ll be consequences, he warned. He didn’t want any more embarrassment today, not after what Felicia had already put him through. With that, he turned and left.
In Drexington, the Langford family reigned supreme. The Mosley family, while elite, were a cut below, teetering on the edge of the upper crust.
For them, a union with the Langford family could be a game–changer. It could offer a passport to the highest echelons of society and wipe away the embarrassment Felicia had just inflicted on them.
Winona, her eyes glistening with resolve, clutched the pendant that Matthew had given back to her. “Dad, I promise, I’ll be on my best behavior this time,” she said.
As Leonard walked away, she made a silent vow–to never again be a pawn in someone else’s game, to never let herself be controlled as she had been in her past life.
Later, Winona stood in the bathroom, her face and hair all fresh from the shower. She gazed into the mirror, her eyes filling with tears as she took in her reflection.
Her cheeks were a bit plumper than she’d prefer, but her skin was flawless, her features sharp and striking. Her brows and eyes looked like they’d been softly painted on, and her long, thick hair tumbled down like a cascade.
A mix of feelings swirled inside her as she touched her cheeks, smooth and pore–free, almost picture–perfect. She then sifted her fingers through her hair, the silkiness slipping through her touch.
Felicia had once talked her into going wild–inking skulls on her face, piercing her nose, mouth, and ears, and a crazy, colorful perm. Winona almost bought into Felicia’s zany makeover scheme. But Leonard stepped in and drew the line.
Winona was thankful for Leonard’s firm hand. He nixed the idea of those permanent curls and all those reckless piercings. Fearful of both the pain and Leonard’s wrath, she opted for a temporary fix instead. Otherwise, she’d be stuck with a look she’d hate now.
Au naturel, she was drop–dead gorgeous. But the extra pounds had rounded out her sharp features, turning her sleek oval Face into a softer, more rounded one.
At a glance, folks might zero in on her rounder face, fuller figure, and sturdy legs. It was hard for them to look beyond that o the true beauty that was hidden in plain sight.
Winona frowned at her figure in the mirror. She’d planned to clean up and then hurry to Matthew, to try to talk him out of nding their engagement. But now, she was worried he’d think she was too heavy.
¡till, Winona wasn’t about to let Matthew’s opinions sway her. She was set on losing the extra pounds and getting her mojo ack. With newfound determination, she left the bathroom, ready to talk to Matthew.
Hey, I’m the stylist Mr. Mosley hired for Ms. Mosley,” a guy said, blocking Winona’s way as she stepped out of the bathroom. le was decked out in chic clothes, with long locks and flawless makeup. “Have you seen her?”
Vinona halted, sizing up the fashionable man in front of her. “It’s you?” she said, her surprise clear.
tanding before her was Harley Grissom, a stylist destined to be a fashion sensation. Despite his spot at a high–end studio
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Chapter 6
that dressed movie stars, his youth, edgy looks, quiet nature, and lack of schmoozing kept him on the sidelines.
His peers often brushed him off, handing him minor gigs and burying his real talent, keeping him in the background as a stylist who stayed out of the spotlight.
In her past life, Harley had been framed and kicked out of the studio, even got his legs broken, but he didn’t let that break him. With sheer grit, he built a business from scratch and climbed to the top as a big name in fashion.
Felicia, meanwhile, had played Harley to get what she wanted. She used her medical know–how to help him walk after he’d been stuck in a wheelchair for years. Harley saw Felicia as his angel and became totally loyal, giving her lots of backing.
Winona, though, respected Harley’s drive to chase his dreams against all odds and his amazing talent. This time around, she promised herself not to let Felicia exploit Harley. She planned to have him transform her into the most dazzling woman at the party.
“Do you know me?” Harley asked, frowning slightly as he took in Winona’s larger frame. “I’m pretty sure we haven’t crossed paths,” he continued, confident he’d recall someone with such a striking mix–fat but with features fine as a masterpiece.
Winona had never met Harley, so it made no sense that she’d recognize him. She swiftly shifted the conversation.
I’m Winona Mosley. I need a look that’s flattering and enchanting. You know, something that really turns heads,” she said with a sense of urgency, like she was on a tight schedule.
A thought flickered through her mind: Morgan might have purposely chosen a well–known studio to appease Leonard, but specifically asked for a stylist who wasn’t a big name–to keep Winona from stealing the spotlight at the party.
Please,” she added. She was eager to make Morgan see the consequences of her choices.
Harley was caught off guard by Winona’s demand, his eyes widening in surprise. He’d heard she was a plain Jane with outlandish makeup and goofy behavior, but the woman before him didn’t match that image at all.
“Quit staring and get moving,” Winona urged. She was on a tight schedule, keen to see Matthew.
Snapping out of it, Harley nodded quickly. “Right away, Ms. Mosley,” he said, springing into action.
In the opulent hall, packed with guests in their sharpest outfits and the hum of animated chatter, Leonard was poised to make the grand announcement: Matthew and Winona’s engagement, just three days away.
But then, Matthew, his expression as frosty as ever, stepped into Leonard’s path. “Mr. Mosley, the announcement’s unnecessary,” he said.
Leonard stared at him, dumbfounded. “What are you talking about?” he asked.
Matthew’s voice was flat, without a hint of warmth. “The engagement’s off.”
“You’re saying you’re breaking it off with Winona?” Leonard said, his shock clear as day.
Matthew’s response was a cold, definitive “Yes.”
But then, a strong and determined voice sliced through the noise. “I won’t let the engagement be called off.”
Matthew whirled at the sound of the voice. His eyes popped in disbelief as he spotted the woman on the staircase.
Her skin was as smooth as satin, her features as delicate as a masterpiece, and she moved with a grace that belonged in a classic painting. His heart skipped a beat at her flawless beauty.
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