Chapter 406: Miss York, You Can Fit Into This Gown?

Chapter 406: Chapter 406: Miss York, You Can Fit Into This Gown?

Although the text message seemed cold on the screen, Estelle Lockwood felt as though she could hear Nathaniel Sloan’s gentle tone.

So... what on earth was Thea York acting crazy about?

However, since Nathaniel had told her to wait for him, Estelle was in no rush. She found a place to sit down and asked nonchalantly, "Miss York, is this your gown?"

Thea’s eyes darkened. She knew it obviously wasn’t, but so what?

She knew this was Estelle’s gown, but it was hers now!

Thea sighed. "Estelle... I know you’re upset, but neither of us can change Nathaniel’s mind. This gown was specially custom-made for me by him. If there’s anything else you like, I can let you have it, but not this one."

There weren’t many customers coming and going at HY Studio, but every single one of them was either wealthy or deeply connected. As soon as Thea finished speaking, several wealthy socialites glanced over, their eyes wide with shock.

They wondered what was going on. Weren’t Nathaniel and Estelle married? And yet, Nathaniel had given a gown to Thea and asked her to be his date?

Although wealthy couples often lived their own separate lives and only needed to keep up appearances, it was still quite a scene for Estelle, the legal wife, to be provoked so openly by another woman.

Then again, if Mr. Sloan had made up his mind to dote on Thea, there was nothing Estelle could do. How could anyone control a man’s heart?

"No." Estelle shook her head. "I wouldn’t say I like it. I just wanted to say..."

Thea couldn’t help but feel smug. Estelle was finally cracking, wasn’t she? She was definitely green with envy right now!

"Estelle, don’t say that. As I said, I can give you anything else you like, but when it comes to anything related to Nathaniel... I’ve already backed down once, and I won’t do it a second time."

The socialites were stunned. They thought to themselves, "Oh my god, what kind of gossip is this!"

Backed down?

Thea backed down once? Could there be a hidden story behind Estelle and Nathaniel’s marriage? Otherwise, why would she use the words "backed down"?

Estelle gave a soft chuckle. "Miss York, there’s no need to be so worked up. Since this is your gown, I merely wanted to point out..."

She paused, feigning confusion. "Isn’t the waistline a bit too small?"

The onlookers gasped. "Huh?"

Estelle took her time. Her gaze lingered on Thea for two seconds before lazily returning to the gown. "Gowns are always custom-made to measure, and this dress has a cinched waist with absolutely no extra give. But..."

Estelle looked hesitant and perplexed before slowly asking, "Miss York, are you sure you can fit into it?"

Thea’s expression froze!

The socialites instinctively glanced at Thea’s waist.

Truth be told, these pampered ladies didn’t have model figures either. Most of them were full-figured and curvy, so they wouldn’t intentionally request designs that highlighted their bodies when ordering custom gowns.

However, this light blue gown was a mermaid dress that tightly hugged the waist and hips. It was designed to perfectly showcase the wearer’s figure—provided the wearer actually had the figure for it.

Thea had plain features, which was why she constantly marketed her "talent and elegance." Her figure was nothing to write home about. She didn’t exercise or go to the gym. Although she didn’t weigh much, she looked visibly stocky.

One could only imagine what a disaster it would be for someone with her build to wear this dress. More importantly, Thea probably couldn’t even squeeze into it.

Estelle said, "Since Miss York claims this was custom-made, it must be the designer’s mistake. You should probably ask the designer what went wrong. The annual gala is only a few days away. Is there still time for alterations?"

The studio fell into a dead silence.

A smile played on Estelle’s lips. "Or does Miss York plan to lose weight and slim down in just three days? Hmm... that might be a bit difficult, but it’s always good to have a dream."

"PFFT." Someone nearby burst into laughter.

Anyone with eyes could see that this mermaid dress was tailored for Estelle. She had a slender waist, which explained why the dress’s waistline was so tiny. Judging by the dress’s other measurements, such as the length, it was obvious it belonged to her.

At the very least, Estelle’s measurements were used when the order was placed. Yet Thea claimed that Nathaniel had given this dress to her...

That made the situation extremely awkward.

Did Nathaniel subconsciously provide Mrs. Sloan’s measurements when he ordered the custom gown for Thea? Or was this originally Mrs. Sloan’s gown, and Mr. Sloan decided to give it to Thea instead?

Thea would likely find both scenarios completely unacceptable.

However, the others had an even more certain guess. Mr. Sloan had bought the gown for Mrs. Sloan, but Thea had swooped in, stolen it, and was now flaunting it in front of the legal wife!

But she failed to realize that a gown tailored for Mrs. Sloan wouldn’t fit her at all! Could she even put it on? She was just making a fool of herself here.

Thea’s face flushed bright red, the veins bulging on her forehead. She gripped the dress so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She wondered if Estelle was mocking her figure!

Estelle remained unfazed. She took a delicate sip of tea. "It’s okay. You still have three days. Good luck."

Unable to hold back any longer, anger rushed to Thea’s head, and she suddenly let out a cold sneer. "Estelle, there’s no need to make snide remarks. If Nathaniel doesn’t love you, that’s your own problem. What’s the point of blaming another woman when a man doesn’t love you?"

Her words made sense in theory, but coming from Thea’s mouth, they sounded incredibly strange.

Estelle inhaled sharply. "...You’re not wrong, but Miss York, am I targeting you?

"When did I ever target you? By ’targeting,’ do you mean when I was about to leave, but you blocked my way to boast about being Nathaniel’s date? Or when you flaunted that Nathaniel supposedly gave my gown to you?

"Why don’t you ask the others, Miss York? Who exactly is targeting whom here?"

The socialites’ mouths twitched. They couldn’t believe Thea had the nerve to say that.

They still didn’t know what Mr. Sloan’s true intentions were, but even if Mr. Sloan’s affections had shifted and he had fallen for Thea... Thea’s eagerness to confront Estelle and gloat was exactly what restless mistresses did to mock the legal wife before usurping her position.

As expected from a mother who started out as a mistress—she raised a daughter who reeked of the same homewrecking tendencies.

Thea gritted her teeth. "Estelle Lockwood..."

"Besides." Estelle gave a half-smile. "I’m very curious. Who told you, Miss York, that Nathaniel doesn’t love me?"

The surroundings fell deathly quiet.

Thea acted as if she had just heard a hilarious joke. Looking down her nose at Estelle with extreme arrogance, she scoffed. "Of course! Because I know I’m the one he loves!

"Estelle, a loveless marriage won’t last long. I’m willing to let you bow out with dignity, so don’t push your luck."

Looking at her smug face, Estelle wanted to laugh. "Miss York—"

"Then you are mistaken, Miss York."

Suddenly, a deep and steady male voice echoed through the room!