The mall manager bowed his head respectfully.
The crowd began to murmur.
All eyes turned to a woman who had just entered…
She walked straight to the display window.
She stopped next to Madison.
And in a respectful voice, she said something that made Logan turn completely pale:
“Madam, the ‘Phoenix Fire’ dress is ready, just as you requested.”
Madison bent down to pick up the bills.
Not because she needed them, but because she didn’t want them to stain the pristine marble.
She carefully placed them on the edge of the trash can and said calmly,
“You should keep them. That money… you’re going to need it.”
Logan froze for a second.
There was no resentment in her tone.
Nor was there any pleading.
That calmness… unsettled him more than any reproach.
“Are you still acting so self-important?” Logan growled, turning to Sienna. “See? Poor, but full of pride.”
Sienna let out a mocking laugh and clung tighter to Logan’s arm, looking Madison up and down with disdain.
At that moment, a group of men in black suits entered the lobby.
At the front was a gray-haired man with a commanding presence and a respectable gaze, followed by executives and a press team.
The mall manager bowed deeply:
“Mrs. Madison, everything is ready. The presentation will begin in three minutes.”
The entire lobby fell silent.
Logan paled.
“Mrs. Madison?” His voice was choked, as if someone were squeezing his throat.
Madison nodded slightly.
She placed the cloth on the cleaning cart.
She calmly removed her gloves.
An assistant immediately approached and draped an elegant white blazer over her shoulders.
In a matter of seconds, the “cleaning attendant” was gone.
Now another woman stood before Logan:
Her hair was loose, her posture straight, her gaze deep and cold.
The gray-haired man stepped forward and announced in a clear voice:
“It is an honor to introduce you to Mrs. Madison Hayes, founder of the ‘Phoenix Fire’ brand and principal investor in this exclusive collection launching tonight.”
Logan took a step back, completely distraught.
The red dress with rubies behind Madison—the same one he had scorned—bore his name on it.
Madison turned to face him.
And smiled.
But it was no longer the fragile smile of the woman from seven years ago.
“Seven years ago you said I wasn’t good enough for you.”
“A few minutes ago you said I could never touch this dress.”
She raised her hand. The staff opened the display case.