Chapter 401
Chapter 401
Queena gave an awkward laugh.
She'd been giving her brother a hard time about this the past couple of days, but now it looked like she was the one who needed to apologize.
Mila, standing nearby, blushed and seemed a bit embarrassed too. She wondered, 'Could Cynthia be right?'
Ever since Vincent had brought up the money she owed, he hadn't mentioned it again. Their interactions had gone back to being plain and vague, with his attitude being quite ambiguous.
As the debtor, she didn't have many thoughts, focusing each day on finding ways to make money.
The atmosphere in the courtyard was a bit tense at the moment, and since Cynthia and Mila weren't very close, no one was looking for another topic.
Just then, Vincent walked in through the main door, bringing a sense of relief to the group.
Vincent was carrying groceries, and Queena rushed over to take them from him, asking, "Vincent, what are you planning to cook tonight? I've invited Cynthia and Liam over to try your cooking. I've told Cynthia you're a better cook than any five-star restaurant."
Vincent had also noticed Cynthia. He raised his eyebrows slightly in greeting and gave a nod to her.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Then, with a resigned look at his sister, he tugged lightly at the corner of his mouth. "Thanks a lot for the compliment."
"You're welcome," Queena replied, not picking up on the sarcasm in Vincent's tone, thinking he was genuinely praising her.
Vincent was left speechless.
These past few days, he'd been trying to win back Mila's heart. So even when busy, he still cooked every day.
As the saying went, the way to a woman's heart was through her stomach.
But he didn't expect there to be such a glaring third wheel at home; every time the atmosphere between them got a bit flirty, Queena would pop up, causing no progress between them.
Now she was even bringing more people over.
She was not considering her brother's still-healing heart at all.
He suddenly regretted insisting on keeping her at home, wondering why he didn't just let her go and bother Hallet.
Vincent took the groceries to the kitchen with a sense of resignation.
Hallet quickly followed to help.
This was his first time visiting as Queena's boyfriend, and he had to make a good impression. He remembered how Liam was when he first went to the border.
After the two men left, the three women were left alone in the courtyard.
Queena then turned to Mila. "Mila, you didn't finish teaching me about wedding dress design last time. Why don't you teach me again while we have the chance?"
"Sure," Mila smiled and then turned to Cynthia. "Ms. Larson, would you join us? And maybe give me your opinion on the design I just made." Cynthia naturally agreed.
The three women sat around the round table in the courtyard. Mila first taught Queena some basic wedding dress design theory and then let her explore on her own.
Then she handed her own wedding dress design to Cynthia. "Ms. Larson, this is what I've been working on. I've been obsessing over this drawing for the past few days, feeling like something's off, but I can't put my finger on it."
Cynthia looked at it carefully.
The wedding dress on the paper had a V-neck style, a heart-shaped open back, and a normal big puffy skirt.
The wedding dress was eye-catching at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it did look a bit odd.
Cynthia pursed her lips and thought for a moment, and then she had a flash of inspiration.
She pointed to the neckline of the wedding dress. "What about making a high neckline? Of course, this is just a suggestion from someone who's new to this. Don't laugh if it's not right."
Cynthia said it casually. Although she was proficient in jewelry design, she was still a novice when it came to wedding dress design. She just felt that a wedding dress with a high neckline and a heart-shaped open back would be visually striking.
Mila's eyes sparkled after she heard Cynthia's idea. She quickly grabbed her pen and transformed the wedding dress's neckline into a high one. The dress instantly looked more high-class.
Lately, she'd been fixated on making money with her wedding dress designs, so stuck in her ways that the thought of changing its style never crossed her mind.
Bouncing with excitement, Mila clutched Cynthia's arm, gushing, "Ms. Larson, your suggestion is brilliant. The design is perfect now. I'll have it made into a real dress in a couple of days."
Cynthia, with modesty, replied, "It's because your overall design is so good that I could add my little touch."
Their chatter caught Queena's attention, and she looked up when she saw the sketch, admiration clear in her eyes. "Mila, the wedding dress you've designed is stunning."
Then she glanced at her own scribbles, her expression falling. "My drawings are nothing like it.'
Cynthia peeked at the doodles, biting
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back a smile. They were indeed quite unrefined. "Queena, didn't study jewelry design? Why the interest in wedding dress design now? Cynthia asked, genuinely curious, as it didn't seem to be a mere whim to her.
"
Queena, looking disheartened, put down her pen. "I'm not into jewelry design, and my brother won't let me do what I'm passionate about, so I thought I'd learn wedding dress design from Mila. But it seems I'm not cut out for it either."
Queena knew her own abilities and pushed her notebook away with a shrug. "Never mind, if my brother wants to take care of me, let him. I don't have
to do anything and still have money to spend. It's not bad."
She winked at Mila. "I just hope Mila won't get tired of me."
Mila, tidying up the papers on the table, paused at Queena's words, her cheeks flushing pink. "Why are you asking me if I'll get tired of you?" Seeing Mila's embarrassment, Queena teased, "With Vincent being such a sweetheart, it's pretty clear you're going to be my sister-in-law. So, are you in?"
Mila's face turned even redder; she was at a loss for words.
Then Vincent's voice came from behind. "I agree on her behalf."
Vincent had been on the phone in the living room and overheard their conversation, feeling a surge of affection for his sister.
Vincent, apron still tied around him, strode over and sat next to Mila.
Queena rolled her eyes at her brother's obliviousness. "Do you even know what I'm talking about, and you agree?"
Vincent, focused on Mila, absentmindedly replied, "You did great just now, I'm down with whatever you say."
"Really?" Queena's eyes lit up instantly.