[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-261":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},261,47,"Chapter 47: \"I Want to Look Beautiful Before I Leave This World.\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, there’s a young fan downstairs who’s traveled quite a way to see you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline’s eyes lit up. \"Oh? Let’s head down and see who it is.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When they reached the lobby, Jemma Riley introduced her. \"Evangeline, this is the visitor who was asking for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline offered a warm, professional smile. \"Hello.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hello... Ms. Montgomery.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The girl’s voice was fragile and sweet, carrying a soft, melodic lilt that tugged at the heart. Who could resist such a delicate soul? Evangeline’s demeanor turned even more welcoming. She signaled for Jemma to bring over a tray of pastries and boba tea, piling the treats in front of the girl with genuine care.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Thank you, Ms. Montgomery.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The girl offered a shy, sugar-spun smile, but her fingers were busy knotting the hem of her cardigan, her expression clouding with a hesitation that was hard to ignore.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline gave her an encouraging nod. \"Is there something on your mind? You can be honest with me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ms. Montgomery... I came here because I wanted to ask if you could design a dress for me. I’m sick—it’s one of those illnesses that can’t be cured. My doctors told me I don’t have much time left. I just... I want to leave this world looking beautiful. I’m not trying to be a downer, so if this makes you uncomfortable, please, just say no.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The girl looked up, her deer-like eyes shimmering with unshed tears, balancing on the thin line between nervousness and hope.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">No wonder she was so frail. Her skin was alabaster-pale, and her voice was as faint as a kitten’s mewl. Looking at someone in the prime of her youth facing such a grim reality, a sharp ache bloomed in Evangeline’s chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hey, don't cry,\" she said, leaning in. \"It doesn't make me uncomfortable at all. I will design the most beautiful dress you’ve ever seen, something perfectly made for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Really?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Absolutely.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I... I’ve been following your competitions. I love your work, and I... I really like you, too.\" The girl cast a fleeting glance at Evangeline before ducking her head in embarrassment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline felt her heart melt. She was simply too precious.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As they talked, Evangeline learned the girl was seventeen, her name was Sadie Larson, and she poured her heart out about her request. Sadie wanted a green dress—a color that represented burgeoning life. She wanted to believe that in her next life, she would be healthy, resilient, and far from the reach of pain.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her time was running short. While the weight of that truth pressed on Evangeline, she knew she had to work quickly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Vitality. It was a firm belief, a healthy glow, the restless energy of youth, and the quiet power of life pushing through the soil. Evangeline closed her eyes, letting the concept settle. She felt the texture of it, tasted the nuance.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Finally, inspiration struck. Her pencil flew across the paper.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She discarded the first few sketches; they were too loud, too bright, lacking the quiet fragility of the girl. Design wasn't just an assembly line of aesthetic tropes; it had to mirror the soul of the wearer. Once that realization clicked, the vision flowed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A green tulle gown. A voluminous skirt to soften the girl’s skeletal frame, accented with subtle, emerald-hued plum blossoms. She added a few floating petals across the bodice and sheer, puffed sleeves to create an ethereal, dreamlike silhouette.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After an afternoon of fine-tuning, Evangeline finally leaned back with a satisfied smile, stretching her limbs until her joints popped.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When she walked back downstairs, two men were seated on the sofa.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline chuckled. \"Do you two just live at our studio now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus Alexander replied with a touch of arrogance, \"I’m here to pick up my wife. He’s the one who insisted on tagging along.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian Spencer looked at Remi Crawford, his expression guilty as he pressed his lips into a thin line.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh? I can't head back to the Elysian Estate with you tonight,\" Evangeline said apologetically. \"I’m swamped. It’s too much of a waste of time to commute back and forth.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hah! Still feeling smug?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus shot a razor-sharp, lethal glare at Damian, who immediately clamped his mouth shut, though his smug smirk lingered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi,\" Marcellus noted, \"look at the look on this man's face.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi turned her gaze to Damian, who instantly adopted an expression of cool, nonchalant indifference.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He looks fine,\" Remi remarked. \"Handsome and dapper as ever.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian felt his ego inflate. He shot Marcellus a victorious brow-raise. Evangeline and Remi exchanged a knowing look. The two of them were absurd—it was a miracle they managed to maintain their reputations in public.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, enough. Let’s go grab dinner, and then everyone back to their own homes!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Both men wore expressions of utter devastation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline laughed. \"One of you is a lead medical researcher, the other is a corporate CEO. Are you both really this bored?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What’s more important than spending time with my wife?\" Damian said, pulling Remi into his arms and beaming at her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Quit the theatrics!\" Remi pinched his waist, but her eyes remained soft.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The display was too much. Evangeline sighed, \"Let’s go, I’m starving!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They drove to a boutique restaurant nearby with an elegant, tucked-away vibe. Once the food arrived, Evangeline dove in with gusto, ravenous after the long day. Marcellus watched her with visible heartache.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, you’ll ruin your health if you keep eating like this.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She mumbled through a mouthful of food, \"It’s fine. We’ve been like this since we started in this industry. I’m used to it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The words *I can provide for you* hovered on the tip of Marcellus's tongue, but he swallowed them back. He could never bring himself to stifle her passion. He knew better than anyone—she would never be a parasitic vine clinging to someone else.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing the raw concern in his eyes, Evangeline softened. \"Don’t worry. Once we expand the team, I won’t have to push myself this hard.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...Alright.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The meal ended quickly. The two men lingered, unwilling to leave. Damian’s longing gaze at Remi was almost comedic. Evangeline decided to throw him a bone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus, let’s go home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His eyes sparked to life instantly. He nodded so fast it was almost frantic. \"Right!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After they left, an awkward silence stretched between Damian and Remi. Damian wanted to keep her there, but he was too nervous to ask. Remi was losing her patience—she wasn't about to be the one to beg to go home with a man!\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. Spencer, I’m heading out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi!\" Damian lunged, grabbing her arm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi turned away, a secret smile blooming on her face. Sometimes you just have to give these men a push.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, I haven't seen you in days. I’ve... I’ve missed you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She remained silent, and Damian’s anxiety spiked. \"I just want to be around you. I promise, I won't do anything.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Oh, good heavens!* Remi thought, biting her lip. *What is he even saying?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian’s face was beet red. Remi decided to stop teasing him—at least for tonight. She’d have to train him properly later.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So, where are we going?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian spoke with a jolt of excitement. \"I... I have an apartment nearby. We could... go there.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. Spencer, who taught you to invite a woman to your apartment on a date?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No! That's not what I— I mean...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His stuttering made Remi laugh outright.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let’s go.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh! Right!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He scurried after her, a look of triumph flickering across his face.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272912943]