The lady stared at Estrella in shock. How could she be Mr. Banks' fiancée?
Willow turned to the lady.
"Kate, what is going on here?" she asked, fear evident in her voice.
Seeing Willow's fear, Kate immediately understood she was in trouble.
Kate quickly dropped to her knees.
"Miss Willow, Mr. Luciano… I didn't know she was your fiancée."
"So you called her cheap?" Luciano asked calmly.
But the cold glint in his eyes made Kate tremble.
Willow's eyes widened. Kate had really called Mr. Banks' fiancée cheap.
Cold sweat formed on her back. What if Mr. Banks shut down her glam house?
Even Kate felt she was doomed.
The air grew tense as everyone waited for Luciano's judgment.
Even Estrella wondered how he would handle the matter.
But to her surprise, Luciano turned to her.
"How do you want to handle it?"
Estrella was taken aback, but she remained composed.
She turned to look at Willow, who was staring at her with pleading eyes.
Then at Kate, still trembling on her knees, tears shimmering in her eyes.
Estrella hated being called cheap.
But she had already gotten her revenge. There was no need to make things extreme.
So she said with a shrug,
"It's normal for dogs to bark at people. You just have to hit them, and they'll learn their lesson. No need to go to extremes."
They immediately understood she was letting things go.
Willow breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Miss Vale," she said quickly.
Kate felt annoyed at being called a dog, but with Luciano present, she had no choice but to swallow her grievances.
"Thank you, Miss," she said with a bow.
Luciano was surprised she let things go so easily.
Since everything was resolved, Estrella turned to Luciano.
"What are you still waiting for?"
Luciano looked at her.
Was she asking him to leave?
As if to confirm his thoughts, she pointed toward the exit.
"This way… or do you need an escort?"
A subtle smirk formed on Luciano's face.
One moment she was acting aggrieved, the next she was chasing him away—
as if discarding a used object.
She really was impressive, he thought.
Truthfully, the moment he saw her aggrieved expression, he had known it was an act. He had simply played along.
Luciano turned to Willow.
"You know what to do."
Willow was confused—hadn't she just…? But she nodded.
"I understand."
Luciano walked out of the closet.
Willow helped Estrella change into the dress she had chosen and applied simple makeup, just as Estrella requested.
She let down her hair, completing the simple but classy look.
Estrella stared at herself in the full-length mirror.
Wow… I really look amazing, she thought.
Money truly works wonders.
Willow looked her up and down.
"You look very beautiful."
She was amazed. She had only done minimal work, yet Estrella looked stunning.
"You would do well as a runway model," Willow added.
Estrella placed a hand on her waist, admiring herself.
"I prefer acting."
"You have the face for it," Willow said, remembering the earlier incident.
"The way you switched expressions… you're a natural."
She adjusted the gown at the waist.
"My husband is a producer. If you're interested, I could connect you."
"Really?" Estrella asked, slightly interested.
Willow handed her a card.
"You can contact me if you are."
Estrella took it.
"I'll think about it."
Willow nodded.
"You're ready."
Estrella slipped the card into the bag Willow had picked for her.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure," Willow replied, escorting her out.
When Estrella entered the waiting room, she saw Luciano sitting there, checking his wristwatch impatiently.
"Let's go," she said, walking ahead.
Luciano glanced up.
Wasn't she supposed to show him her outfit and ask for his opinion?
"Come back," Luciano commanded.
Estrella stopped, annoyed by his tone.
"What?"
"Won't you show me your appearance?" he asked.
"Why?"
"To see if it suits my taste," he replied matter-of-factly.
"Why should it suit your taste?" Estrella countered.
"I'm the one wearing it. It should suit mine."
She shrugged and walked off nonchalantly.
Luciano stood and caught up to her with his long strides.
He grabbed her shoulder and turned her slightly, inspecting her from head to toe.
"Not bad," he murmured.
Simple yet elegant—exactly his taste.
Estrella narrowed her eyes.
"Did you skip class the day adjectives were taught?"
"Sorry?" Luciano said, confused.
She lifted her chin slightly and placed a hand under it.
"This kind of appearance is called beautiful, not 'not bad.'"
She turned on her heels and walked away.
"Arrogant," Luciano muttered, following after her.
Willow watched them leave with a small smile.
Only if…
She glanced down at her ring and sighed.
Turning back to the reception, she saw Kate seated there.
Kate was the receptionist of Crystal Glam House—she welcomed clients while the stylists handled the makeovers.
Willow, as the owner, only attended to special clients like Luciano.
"Kate, report to my office," Willow said as she walked away.
Kate immediately stood. She knew she was about to be scolded.
She braced herself and knocked.
"Come in," Willow said.
Kate entered and stood before her desk.
Willow pushed a letter toward her.
Kate picked it up and read it.
Her eyes widened.
"A dismissal letter?"
She thought she had prepared for the worst—salary cuts, penalties… anything but this.
"But she forgave me," Kate said.
"She did," Willow replied calmly, "but her fiancé didn't. Close the door behind you."
Begging was useless.
Kate walked out.
But instead of remorse… she felt resentment.