Ch. 1231..1240

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1231--The man who came was wearing a white suit. Although he seemed young, he had an alluring charm and elegance.

Everyone turned their heads as soon as he entered the door, and people that knew him immediately surrounded him. ' Mr. Fike, you're here!"

"We've been waiting for you!"

"Mr. Fike, I heard that the research institute's new project is very intriguing. Will you talk about it today?"

"Mr. Fike, why are you alone today? Is your teacher...coming?"

Maria had been so cautious about it when almost everyone had the same suspicion. When it came to this group of people, secrets spread like wildfire.

Many people believed that Austin was the secret apprentice that Dominic took under his wing.

This assumption initially stemmed from the fact that both of them had the same surname, and they began to suspect that Austin and Dominic were related, otherwise, why would Dominic take in such a young person as his apprentice and keep it a secret?

Even old friends who were close to Dominic did not know about it.

The young man stopped and looked at whoever asked the question. With a warm smile, he said, "My professor is busy with research back at the institute. He rarely attends such events. I'm here as his representative.”

The "teacher" that Austin mentioned referred to his mentor at school, not the person in everyone's head. Although the crowd understood this, it might sound like he was avoiding the topic out of a guilty conscience to some.

If he felt guilty, this would mean he really was Dominic's secret apprentice!

The people in this circle had an obsessive admiration for Austin. This was not only because of his qualifications and status, as he became famous at a young age for his excellent acupuncture skills.

He had cured various sorts of illnesses. It was rumored that he had cured the wife of a certain renowned figure, who had been sick for many years.

Countless people lined up to seek medical treatment from him but were rejected. Many people wanted to be his apprentices, but it was hard even to meet him, let alone work for him.

Under such circumstances, meeting Dominic's secret apprentice was a great honor.

"Yes, yes. When it comes to medical herbs, the knowledge is limitless. Mr. Fike, your professor, is our role model," someone from the crowd praised. Then he took the initiative to lead the way. "Mr. Fike, this way, please.”

Austin raised his hands to signal the crowd and smiled apologetically." Sorry, but I have something to do. I'll talk to you guys later."

With that, his eyes scanned through the crowd and locked onto a figure sitting in the corner before heading straight toward her.

Lily had just finished her food and had taken a new dish from a passing waiter. Just as she took a sip of her drink, she noticed a man walking toward her.

The man standing in front of her attracted a lot of attention.

"Ms. Christian,” he greeted her politely.

"Hello." Lily smiled and nodded. "You must be Mr. Fike from the Institute of Medical Herbs. Nice to meet you!”

"I don't like beating around the bush. Why do you want to suspend the research that we're doing?” He asked directly.

"Why didn't you reply to my message?” Lily asked without missing a beat.

Austin was taken aback, not expecting her to reply like this. He hesitated momentarily and was about to speak when she spoke again. "Don't give me the excuse that you've missed my message. You've looked at your phone three times since you came in here. You don't seem like the type that doesn't fancy having a phone around.”

Initially, Lily did think that he must have missed it. After all, some people devoted so much time to research that they might not even have time to touch their phones.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1232--However, judging from his actions in such a short time, he was not out of touch with the outside world.

This meant that he saw the message but deliberately ignored her.

Although it was a person's choice whether to reply to a message, he seemed to want to talk to her, yet refused a more

convenient channel. This man was not an easy person to deal with.

After being called out, Austin was stunned for a short while before returning to his senses with a slight smile. "I prefer talking to someone face -to-face. Although it's easier to text, it's also easier for misunderstandings and misinformation to happen.”

Now, this was a new excuse.

"However, that's not the point. I want to know if you're really planning to stop this project,” he asked solemnly. His gaze looked like it could scorch.

“I'm still thinking about it. Are you here to dissuade me?"

Lily raised her head to look at him. Although she was not short, the man in front of her was extremely tall, making her look petite.

This action would have made her neck sore if it weren't because she was used to looking up at Alexander.

She had only brought it up once since she did not know the details or purpose of the project. The institute was afraid that she might stop the project and had tried to coax her a few times.

This time, it seemed like they had sent Austin over to try and dissuade her again.

Unexpectedly, this man said, "Nope! I'm here to tell you that I hope you stop thinking about it and just do it!"

"Huh?"

This was the first person from the research institute who did not try to dissuade her. Lily, who was about to doze off, suddenly became interested.

"I personally feel like that research is a complete waste of time, energy, and financial resources. On top of that, there are no good purposes! Besides...” After a pause, his thin lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.” With all due respect, your research has always been on extracts and essences. Those have nothing to do with our medicinal herbs. I think it's absurd to pull you in and work together with US."

Lily fell silent.

He didn't want to cooperate with her because he looked down on her! Lily understood what was going on now.

No wonder he did not bother to reply to her message on WhatsApp. It was no wonder he wanted her to stop this project. He found her unworthy of being a part of the institute!

After all, she was just a researcher of extracts and essences. How could she be compared to the medicinal herbs that cured diseases and saved lives?

"I see what you're trying to say here.” Lily nodded slightly. She was not angry as she took a few sips from her drink.

After pondering for a while, she asked, "I have a question. Is what you just said a representative of the whole research institute?”

If this were what the research institute wanted, she would pull out of the project. However, she found it strange why they approached her to discuss cooperation in the first place.

Austin raised his chin and bluntly replied, "It's my own opinion! I don't know how you negotiated a deal with the institute or what conditions you've laid out with them for this. I heard your husband is an aristocrat engaged in big industries. I hope you know that scientific research isn't child's play. It's not the same as investing in, let's say, a movie or striking a business deal. I think you shouldn't meddle in matters that involve the life and death of a human being."

As he spoke, his eyes moved down to her protruding belly. "Ms. Christian, I think you should stay at home and do what a woman is supposed to do!"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1236--She felt it was unlikely they could achieve such a result and saw that there was no need to invest that much money and time in it, hence the conflict.

Lily had been working in her studio again. While preparing the essence, she thought about how some medicinal herbs would always have a smell associated with them. Why must she forcibly try and separate the two?

It was not a big deal if the consumers could smell the medicinal herbs used in the perfumes.

Just like how lavender was known for soothing nerves and mint was refreshing, medicinal herbs also had their own uses.

However, the institute was heading in a different direction. Instead of creating products to allow consumers to accept medicinal herbs in a more pleasant way, they were trying to get people to inhale the medicinal properties of the herbs without their awareness.

This was the weird part of all this!

On top of this and the fact that the research was stagnant, she hadn't returned to the institute for more than half a month. She hadn't heard from them until two days ago, when she got a letter inviting her to this symposium.

At first, Lily was looking forward to a learning exchange, but it turned out to be a boring banquet and a shocking meeting with a misogynist.

After a moment of consideration, Alexander said, i'll never stop you from doing what you want, but just promise me one thing.

You must always prioritize your safety, no matter what you find or encounter. Don't force the issue, okay?"

Hearing this, she smiled and struck a pose. "You forgot, I'm a kickboxer! Unless they brought guns to a fistfight... Besides, we're at Kingsland!"

"Don't forget that you're pregnant!"

As he said this, he gently reached out to stroke her stomach, feeling helpless and worried.

His wife often forgot that she was pregnant. She was always bustling with energy and wanted to get to the bottom of things.

However, he knew her too well to try and stop her. Instead, all he could do was try his best to take protective measures and allow her to do whatever she liked.

Lily nodded and lowered her gaze to see her son, who had fallen asleep in her arms.

"Let's tuck Galen into bed!" Alexander took him and proceeded to the stairs.

As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs, Daisy came down to greet them. "I thought this little boy should be asleep by this time, and guess what? He really is! Let me do it!”

She carefully took the child over and put him in her arms. Alexander watched her go upstairs and into Galen’s room before turning around and asking Lily,

"Is the new nanny okay?"

"She's great. I think she’s better than the previous one. There are a lot of times when she's more careful than me," she answered as she checked through the unread messages on her phone.

She had yet to look at her phone since she left the symposium. There were several WhatsApp messages and a few emails in her inbox.

On top of that, there were three missed calls. They were all unknown numbers from landlines. Thinking that they were just scam calls, she ignored them.

Then she clicked on one of her WhatsApp messages and looked at it.

Alexander leaned over from behind and rested his chin on her neck. When he noticed the faint red marks on her collarbones, the corners of his lips raised. “Are you still tired?”

"Huh?"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1234---"How can the invitations be sent out so carelessly?"

"From what I see, I don't think anyone even invited her! She must have snuck in when no one was looking!"

People chimed in with their opinions, one after the other, but Austin remained quiet. He did not agree or refute as he stared toward the door in a daze.

Lily had changed her mind about the project from how he saw it. It seemed like she was not going to put a halt to it. However, he still found it childish and whimsical for her to try and cooperate with a research institute for someone who knew nothing about medicinal herbs.

Had power finally penetrated their pure and niche industry?

Alexander was already in the living room when Lily reached home, playing with Galen.

In the vast living room, the coffee table and cabinets were empty. A thick and soft carpet lay across the floor for the child to crawl around and play. Alexander doted on the child so much that Lily feared their next child might be a daughter.

Since Alexander was already spoiling Galen this way, Lily was afraid he would spoil her rotten if she had a daughter.

"Back so soon?" Alexander had a small building block in his hand when he looked up at his wife smilingly.

Lily hummed in response as she removed her coat and handed it to the housekeeper. After she changed out of her shoes and washed her hand, she approached the father-son duo.

When the little boy saw his mother, he babbled and staggered toward her. Lily pulled him into her embrace and lowered her gaze to look at Galen quietly.

After being with her for so long, Alexander could easily read her emotions.” The symposium didn’t go well, huh?"

He knew his wife was a workaholic. When it came to things she was interested in, she would be so immersed in them that she would forget to eat and sleep. She had even brought home her work multiple times. If it were not for her pregnancy, she would have traveled all over the country to find the raw materials and herbs she was keen on.

However, seeing that she had returned so early with resentment written all over her face, Alexander could safely assume that the event she went to did not go well.

Lily did not answer and kept her head down as she played with Galen's toys.

Alexander thought for a moment before he asked again, "Did the discussion go badly?"

"Discuss my a’s," Lily whispered the last word. She seemed to realize she was in the presence of a child and quickly stopped herself. Despite that, she still pursed her lips up in anger.

On the other hand, Alexander could not help but laugh when he saw her like this. He thought she would be calmer after what she had been through. He did not expect Lily to return from the symposium with rage to the point that she was cursing.

He got up and moved next to her before pulling her into his arms. "Who made my queen unhappy? Do you need me to teach them a lesson?" He teased.

Lily snorted. "I won't dare to. After all, as a woman, I should stay home and care for my husband and children. How dare I go out and steal a man's job?

The fury in her rose even more as she spoke. ‘That b*stard!'

Alexander was quick. Although he did not know the details, he quickly understood her meaning. "What did those old hags at the research institute say?"

He had also dealt with the research institute a few times. The people there were generally older, and most were men. It was not uncommon for them to say such phrases.

"It's not the old hags. It's a young degenerate!” Lily fumed. "For a man his age, his mindset is worse than those born 2000 years ago!"

 

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1233--Although it was nothing, the last sentence irritated Lily.

‘What's a woman supposed to do?’

To Austin, a woman should stay home, care for her husband, have children, and play with them. That was why he deemed Lily unworthy of being in the research field.

Initially, Lily thought he was just against her field of work. Now, it seemed like he was just sexist. No one expected him to be a sexist b*stard behind his dignified demeanor. Lily thought that people were just blinded by his looks.

She was furious. She had not been this angry in a long time and sneered." Mr. Fike, what is a woman supposed to do? What shouldn't a woman do? In other words, what is a man supposed to do?

"You don't seem to have been in the research field for long, nor did you achieve much in it. Won't that mean you've not done what a man should do? You can’t do what a woman does either,” she said, rubbing her belly.

“If it weren't for the Institute of Medicinal Herbs, what rights would you have to stand here and tell me what to do?" She was trying to prove a point.

‘Who does this man think he is? He can only stand here and talk to me because of the research institute, otherwise, he wouldn't even have a chance to talk to me!

Austin did not expect this woman to be so sharp-tongued. She did not listen to him and even retorted, making him feel extremely ashamed and annoyed.

"Y-You...” His face flushed, and the pair of eyes behind his glasses glowed with anger. "I'm doing you a favor here! A pregnant woman should stay home instead of running around and trying to dip her foot into the medicinal herbs industry through money. How shameless!"

Ultimately, he could not hold himself back anymore and spat out the last sentence.

Lily's face sank, and without hesitation, she splashed the remainder of her drink on his face. "You should learn not to assume things!"

With that, she turned around and left.

‘What a waste of time! I wouldn't have come if I had known this would happen. What kind of scoundrel is he? What horrible symposium did I just attend? Everything was just horrible! Why would the institute recruit such a disgusting human being? That man has the mindset of a caveman! Gah! What a rotten day!"

As people had their eyes fixated on Austin since the beginning, they came running over when they saw Lily splashing the drink on his face.

"Oh my God, Mr. Fike. Are you okay?!"

"Mr. Fike, what is going on? How did this happen?!"

"Who is that woman? She's a lunatic!”

"Exactly! How did such a person get invited to this event? Who invited her?! M

At this time, Maria, who had countless failed attempts to try and talk to Austin, rushed over frantically. As she handed him a towel, she said, "I know who that woman is! She said she's from the Christian family!”

"The Christian family?"

Maria continued, "Yes! She said it herself! As I'm quite well-traveled, I haven't heard of such a family in our field. Have you heard of them?"

Everyone shook their heads. "No!"

"Wait, I did hear of a Christian family a few years back that was in the medicinal herbs industry. However, they didn't make it very big, so there’s no way for them to get invited to today's symposium,” someone from the crowd said.

However, no one knew who he was talking about.

Austin wiped the juice from his face with a towel before taking off his glasses and wiping the lens. Then he slowly said, “Enough guesses. I know who she is. She isn't anyone from the medicinal herbs industry. She's someone that researches extracts and essences to make perfumes.”

Once he cleaned his glasses, he put them on and narrowed his eyes.

"Essences?!" Maria exclaimed. “That has nothing to do with us! How did she get in here?” "Exactly! How can such a person attend a symposium in our industry? How ridiculous!"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1237--His warm lips gently touched her collarbones, as if trying to remind her of last night.

At this moment, Lily's cheeks burned, and she quickly pushed him away." How dare you ask that?!"

This man had always looked cold and distant, yet last night he was like a wolf that had been left without food for months. She rubbed her back and frowned subconsciously at the thought of that.

Alexander, who had been pushed away, grinned. When he noticed what she was doing, he rubbed her hands. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

‘It's more sore than it is painful!’ Lily thought to herself.

She knew he had stamina, and although she tried her best to keep up, it was still too much for her.

"Hmph!" She feigned anger, telling him that he should not be so unscrupulous the next time.

"Did I really hurt you?" After asking that, he suddenly picked her up and let her nestle in his embrace.

He gently massaged her back with one hand and held her belly with the other.

Lily was taken aback. "What are you doing?!"

"This is my atonement!" He replied seriously. His massaging skills were excellent, and the soreness on her back was relieved.

"Is it better?" Alexander asked as he raised his head.

"Uhm..." She dragged, looking like she was seriously considering it for a moment before she answered, “Just a little!"

She even gestured with her finger how little his massage helped.

"Are you still angry?" He pressed his chin against her arm and asked softly.

If his employees saw this, their eyeballs would drop to the ground.

Was this their resolute and fearful boss? At this moment, he looked like nothing but a little puppy that wanted to please its master.

Lily found this ticklish and pulled her arm away. "Enough!"

This almost made her drop her phone, and with a swipe of her thumb, she opened the messages and saw that they were all from the same person...

T-A-S

Seeing this, she frowned and read the name aloud. "Tas?"

"Touch?!" Alexander was taken aback by her direct provocation!

"No, you id i*t!" She quickly covered his lips with her hands. "Tas? Who's Tas?"

"What, Tas?" When he realized she wasn't talking to him, he frowned and poked his head over to see what was happening.

However, Lily blocked him and helplessly cried, "Leave me alone!"

"Who's this person that's more important than me?" Alexander looked at her phone with dissatisfaction. Then he squinted his eyes at the display name. "Anastasia Rollins?"

Lily’s eyes immediately widened as she stared at him. "What? Do you know who this person is?”

Before her mind could go wild, he quickly answered thoughtfully. "She's Secretary Rollins's daughter. Didn't I mention her before? Do the two of you already know each other? Why did she message you?"

"I don't know her,” Lily shook her head and looked at him. “However, it seems like the two of you are quite familiar with each other. You recognized who she was from her display name at a glance."

If Alexander did not pick up the bitterness in her voice, he would be an idi*t.

"Are you jealous?"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1235--"A young degenerate?" Alexander was a little surprised.

Since she had already opened up, she started to pour her heart out. "The research institute sent quite a young man today. He looked like a refined scholar until he opened his mouth.

"He said he's on my side regarding stopping the project. He said women should stay home with their children and do what a woman is supposed to do. He also insinuated that I only have this opportunity to cooperate with the institute because of your money and connections!”

‘That man was something else!"

"Didn't you intend to stop the project?"

"That's different!" Lily shook her head. "I wanted to stop it because the research is moving in the wrong direction, and they've hidden too much from me. I was starting to doubt their purpose. That's why I wanted to call it off.

"But that man is supportive of my decision because. I’m a woman! Don't you think that’s outrageous?!"

‘What century are we living in? How could there still be someone so discriminatory toward women?!’

Even that sc*mbag, Nathaniel Hall, never stopped Lily because she was a woman. He only did it to attack her and steal her life's work.

The man she met was from a research institute. He was an intellectual with excellent knowledge. How could there still be such an enormous prejudice toward women?

"It is outrageous. What are you going to do next?" Alexander asked, "Are you stopping the research?”

"Nope," Lily said, shaking her head.

"Is it because of that man? Are you trying to prove yourself to him?"

Hearing this made Lily snort as she shot him a look of disdain. "No way! Who does he think he is? Why do I have to prove myself to him? Besides, for people like him, their prejudice runs deep. No one can change it, even if the evidence is right before their eyes.

"I had a sudden epiphany. Even if I insisted on pulling out on the Blossom project, they'd get someone else to take my place.

Since I already feel something is wrong, I should get to the bottom of it. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease."

That thought kept her tossing and turning in bed for over half a month.

Initially, the research institute approached her to discuss cooperation on how they wanted to develop a product that was a combination of medicinal herbs and scents for daily use. Since Lily was well versed in scents, they wanted to use her refining and extraction techniques to retain the medicinal benefits of the herbs and integrate a different scent into them.

Simply put, they wanted to create perfumes, essential oils, and body mists integrated with the medicinal properties of the herbs with different therapeutic effects for daily use. It would make the products more worthy and meaningful.

After Lily carefully listened to their proposal, although she felt the whole idea was a little far-fetched, it was not wholly unfeasible.

On top of that, she had always enjoyed a challenge.

If the research were a success, it would be highly significant for both the medicinal herbs industry and the perfumery industry.

Otherwise, it would be nothing more than a failed experiment. After all, one's success was an accumulation of countless failed experiments.

After careful consideration and a good chat with Dominic, she felt the idea was great and decided to try it.

However, the experiments she had conducted so far were unsuccessful. After all, the potentness of the medicinal herbs was so strong that it was impossible to refine and purify them. There was always a hint of it left in the end product.

Lily did not find it bothersome if it smelled like medicinal herbs, as the products would not be marketed as pure perfumes. With the blend of raw materials, customers should be able to accept it.

However, the research institute did not want any lingering smell of medicinal herbs, which meant they did not want their customers to notice the medicinal herbs in their fragrances.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1238--"Don't change the subject!"

Alexander let out a hearty laugh. Although he knew she was pretending to sulk, he was still delighted.

He enjoyed her occasional jealousy. Without this, he would think Lily saw her pots and plants as more important than him. I meet with Secretary Rollins twice last month? I just happened to catch a glance at her profile when she texted him.”

Jokes aside, he still explained his side of the story solemnly, "This girl’s profile picture is so gloomy. Not many would put such a picture up."

After glancing at him, Lily looked down at her phone again. Alexander was right.

The profile picture was indeed quite gloomy. It was gray and dark. When Lily clicked on it, she saw a picture of a gloomy sky with a puppy snuggling up by a broken flower pot. Regardless of how she tried to see it, the picture looked heart-wrenching.

Lily heard that Anastasia was young and was probably around 17 or 18. She also came from a wealthy family, so she should be blossoming at her age. She was supposed to be cheerful, carefree, and maybe even nonsensical. This persona she had put up did not match up to teenagers her age.

On top of that, the message she sent to Lily was cold, with only one word in each text. It wasn't any kind of greeting. Instead, it was just... "Dress."

The message was direct.

Lily immediately understood what Anastasia meant.

However, Alexander was in the dark about this. "What does she mean by' dress'?"

"I stole her dress," Lily muttered as she turned away.

"You stole her..." He trailed off as his eyes widened, not knowing how to react.

What did she mean by saying she had taken Anastasia’'s dress? What kind of dress was so rare that Lily had to steal it? Was there a fight?

Thinking of this, he quickly scanned her from head to toe. "Was there a squabble? Did you get into a fight? Are you hurt?”

Lily was speechless.

"What are you doing? That's not what I meant! She ordered a dress from a store, but... I bought it today,” she summarized.

She knew that the store would not admit their blunder and instead point the finger at her. However, she had yet to learn what they told Anastasia.

"That's all?” Upon hearing this, Alexander quickly breathed a sigh of relief." It's just a dress. I'm glad that you're okay."

"She's Secretary Rollins' daughter. Aren't you going to reprimand me for stealing her dress?"

Lily was quite intrigued by his response. It was obvious that the other party wasn't just anybody.

His initial thought was to make sure she was okay and not question the conflict she might have with Anastasia, which would directly affect his business and the Russell family.

Alexander remained indifferent as he answered, "Why would I? It's just a dress. Do you think this will affect my relationship with

Secretary Rollins, the Russell family, and our businesses?"

Lily nodded silently. That was, indeed, what she was thinking about.

"You id*ot, there are so many layers to business. It'll be a joke if we let a dress dictate what will happen!" He pinched her cheek and continued softly, "Besides, do you think I don't know how you are? There's no way you'd act unreasonably. There must be a reason behind why you did what you did."

This kind of unconditional and wholehearted trust he had for her moved Lily. He didn't even ask what happened, and instead just trusted her decision.

Pursing her lips, she suppressed the tears threatening to come out and said, "What if I’m that unreasonable?” She stared at him with bright eyes; the craftiness in her eyes was unmistakable.

Alexander looked at her for a while before sighing faintly. "If that's the case, what else can I do? You're already my wife and my son's mother. I chose you from the beginning. Now, I'd have no choice but to continue to pamper you!"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1239--‘This man is becoming increasingly romantic, but I'm not complaining.’

Lily turned to put her hands loosely on Alexander's shoulders and looked at him softly. "Since my husband is so kind, I can't be so ungracious, can I?"

"Huh?" He raised his eyes to look at her. She’s so...charming.’

"Since I know who she is, of course, I won't do anything to embarrass you!” Lily was not a fool, after all. Of course, she knew the salesgirl was trying to stir up a fire when she suddenly changed her heart and readily sold the dress to Lily. However, Lily would not let the salesgirl get what she wanted.

"Good girl!" Alexander tapped Lily's nose before picking her up and walking upstairs.

Lily was startled. "What are you doing?!" Her hands tightened around him as she exclaimed, afraid she might fall.

"It's getting late. You should go back to your room and rest. Let's talk about the rest tomorrow."

"But I haven't replied..."

"You can reply to her in the room."

Lily was prone to forgetting to sleep and eat whenever she worked. As her husband, Alexander felt a natural responsibility to take care of her.

The afternoon sun was warm as it shone through the gaps in the leaves and the transparent glass, giving the room some

warmth. Lily stirred her teaspoon unhurriedly, mixing her glass of warm milk. She could not have caffeine because of her baby.

After a while, a black car stopped at the coffee shop’s entrance, and a girl got out.

With the current weather, people crowded the coffee shop. The girl stood at the door and did not come in immediately. Instead, she scanned around to confirm if she was at the correct place. After a moment, she finally opened the door and walked in.

Her eyes scanned the area, and when she met Lily's gaze, Lily nodded and smiled. Only then did the girl make a beeline for Lily.

Sitting in the private booth, she removed her long gloves that revealed her fair arms. The girl was chubby, and the flesh on her body shook as she walked. She was already panting from walking over. However, her skin was as fair as snow. Herglowing, white skin made her look like a big, soft bun.

"Would you like anything to drink, Miss?” A waiter came over and asked.

"A glass of lemonade." The girl's mouth did not seem to move as she spoke. Her words were light and quick. Then she turned to look at Lily.” Where's my dress?" She raised her eyebrows and asked directly.

Lily smiled faintly, “As far as I know, Ms. Rollins, you've ordered a dress from a boutique, not me."

"Y-You're toying with me!” Anatasia immediately got angry, and her face instantly reddened. Her fair skin quickly exposed her anger.

‘This girl seems very short-tempered.’

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1240--Lily brought a spoon to her lips and questioned with a flat smile, "Ms. Rollins, I'd like to know who told you that your dress is with me?"

"That's none of your concern!" Anastasia frowned. "If you dared to take it, you should admit it!"

With a snort, she added, “Here I was, thinking how powerful and prestigious the woman that relied on her husband's family wealth could be. Who would have thought you're just a coward who won't admit what you did.”

However, Lily did not get angry when she faced Anastasia's ridicule. Instead, she even put on a light smile. After putting down her spoon, she looked up at the girl sitting across from her.

Although Anastasia was just a few years younger than Lily, she was just a little chubby girl in Lily's eyes.

"Ms. Rollins, I also thought you’re smart enough not to let yourself be a prop in someone else's game."

Anastasia frowned and narrowed her eyes at Lily. "What do you mean?"

"I assume the salesgirl must have told you I insisted on buying that dress even though I know it belongs to you. She must have said I was trying to pick a fight with you, didn't she, Ms. Rollins?”

Anastasia did not answer, but from how she reacted, Lily knew she was right.

Anastasia pursed her lips and did not speak as she was still on guard.

"Ms. Rollins, have you ever wondered why the salesgirl showed me the dress when you've already ordered it? Why didn't they keep it in the store and wait for you to collect it?" Lily drank her milk unhurriedly and continued, "I did buy a dress, but the salesgirl recommended that dress to me."

Anastasia naturally understood what Lily meant. After all, Anastasia was not dumb. These things were not unheard of, but Anastasia was still distraught when it happened to her.

Even if the salesgirl was at fault, Lily knew Anastasia had reserved the dress, yet she insisted on buying it. Wasn't that just disrespectful to Anastasia?

With a downcasted face, Anastasia spoke again in an unfriendly tone, "So, you knew the dress was mine."

"Ms. Rollins, I went to a boutique and bought a dress that the staff recommended. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Lily sighed, and the waiter brought Anastasia's lemonade at that moment.

"Can I get another blueberry mousse?” Lily ordered.

Then she turned her head and saw Anastasia licking her lower lips. Anastasia remained fixated on the same issue. "You're quibbling! You bought the dress even though you knew I had reserved it! You did it on purpose!" it seems like this girl has some physical and psychological issues too!’ Lily thought.

However, Lily had prepared herself for this. She no longer wanted to drag this on and turned to the side to take a beautifully packaged box and placed it directly on the table.

"Speaking of which, I have a gift for you, Ms. Rollins.” Then she pushed the box toward Anastasia.

"What is it?!" Anastasia looked at the box warily.

"You'll Know once you open it and have a look.” Lily gestured to the box again. "I hope you like it.”

After staring at Lily for a while, Anastasia hesitantly reached out and untied the ribbon. Unlike her figure, her fingers were slender with beautifully manicured nails. There were even ribbons stuck onto them.

When she opened the box, she saw a dress inside. It was a light bamboo green dress-precisely like the dress she had reserved at the boutique.

She picked it up and looked at the dress carefully. Anastasia was sure it was the same dress she had ordered. Upon realization, she was furious.” Isn't this the dress I ordered?! You're returning my own dress to me. Why are you disguising it as a gift, acting all mysterious?!"

Lily shook her head. "I'm afraid you're mistaken, Ms. Rollins. It isn't the dress you ordered. Take a closer look at it."

Hearing this, Anastasia was startled. She picked up the dress again and examined it meticulously.