The engagement ceremony was scheduled to be held in the hotel.
Guests invited included relatives and good friends of the Ford family, as well as some of Weston’s
business partners.
Stella had expected the engagement ceremony to be simple and straightforward, given the little time
that Weston had to put things together.
She thought that, at most, it would be the Ford family gathering for a meal, but she was surprised to
see so many guests instead.
She sat before the mirror in the dressing room as anxiety crept into her heart.
Weston was all dressed and ready.
He was out of bed earlier than her and was already in his suit and pants while she was still blurred with
sleep.
Thanks to his outstandingly dashing looks, there was no need for him to do much to make himself look
more presentable and eye-catching amidst the crowd.
The moment Stella got out of bed, she found herself ushered into the dressing room and manhandled
by the make-up artist, who was at that moment rolling in an entire row of haute couture gowns and
seeking her opinion.
“Madam, these are this season’s haute couture gowns that have just been launched. Many popular
celebrities fought for these, but they were unable to get their hands on them...”
She surveyed the woman in the mirror and said with envy, “Mr. Ford treats you so well.”
Stella smiled. “That white dress will do.”
She pointed to a minimalistic chiffon dress with gardenia flowers adorning the hem.
Fine silk lay below the white organza, without excessive adornments and embellishments on the gown.
It could be considered the most low-profile and modest-looking option amidst the row of dresses.
The make-up artist’s eyes lit up. “You have excellent taste!”
She pulled the dress out and exclaimed, “This dress is my favorite one, too. It exemplifies the beauty of
gardenia flowers very well.”
It was only then that Stella had a good look at what the entire dress looked like.
The design on the top was deliberately minimalistic, whereas the hem displayed the essence of the
piece— impeccably lifelike Gardenia flowers that had been hand-sewn on it.
The flowers looked freshly plucked, their petals adorned with beads of morning dew that seemed on
the verge of falling to the feet of its wearer.
As the make-up artist shook out the hem of the dress, her movements seemed to trigger a whiff of
gardenia fragrance.
Stella’s eyes illuminated, clearly betraying her liking for the dress.
She said, “This one will do.”
After getting changed, the make-up artist looked at Stella through the mirror. “Madam, your skin
complexion is great, and you don’t need thick make up. A little color to highlight your features should be
enough to make you look stunning...”
She couldn’t help but add, “I seldom see someone with such fine complexion.”
People in her industry were used to flattery and empty praises, but her compliment towards Stella
came from the bottom of her heart.
Stella’s complexion was way better than most female celebrities. Although she was obviously fatigued,
given the dark eye bags surrounding her eyes, her skin was so fair that even her veins were visible
from up close.
The make-up artist didn’t have to expend much effort to get Stella all dolled up.
Weston was already waiting at the door, and his eyes lit up the moment Stella walked out of the
dressing room.
He tugged at his collar as he swallowed past his constricted throat.
Although he didn’t say a word, Stella could see the tenderness in his eyes.
He walked toward her and hitched his arm in a silent signal for Stella to rest her hand on it.
“This dress suits you very well,” he commented.
Stella lowered her head to glance at the dress, and that was when she noticed even more details.
She couldn’t see the gardenia flowers at the hem when she was just standing.
But the moment she began walking, the petals would move along with her steps.
It was clear where the dress got its “Flowers in Every Step” name from.
The doors opened.
The sight of all the wealthy and powerful people gathered in the room made Stella slightly nervous.
Weston could feel her grip tightening on his arm. To reassure her, he patted the back of her hand.
“Just follow me.”
Stella nodded and inched closer to him, sticking as close as she could to him every step of the way.
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