Chapter Fifteen: The Gown Is Seized

After leaving the law firm, Ye Pianpian immediately took Shen Suining by the arm and headed straight to the boutique where she had picked out a dress.

Along the way, Ye Pianpian chattered excitedly, “Suining, trust me. When you see that dress, you won’t be able to take your eyes off it—it’s absolutely stunning.”

Shen Suining had no doubts about this; Ye Pianpian’s taste was always impeccable, and she trusted her completely.

However, when Ye Pianpian eagerly entered the store with Shen Suining, she found that the dress displayed in the window was nowhere to be found.

Ye Pianpian immediately furrowed her brow and called over the store manager. “What’s going on? Didn’t I ask you to reserve that ‘Starlit Violet’ gown for me? Where is it?”

The manager, looking quite apologetic, replied, “I’m very sorry, Miss Ye, but that dress was purchased by someone else about twenty minutes ago.”

Ye Pianpian’s voice instantly rose, sharp as a firecracker as she demanded, “Someone bought it? Who? Have you forgotten my VIP status here? Is my priority purchase right just a formality?”

The manager’s tone shifted to a more formal businesslike manner. “Miss Ye, you know our VIP rules. If someone managed to buy it before you, it means their status is higher than yours.”

So, in both reason and fairness, the store had done nothing wrong.

Ye Pianpian was briefly at a loss for words.

She wasn’t an unreasonable shrew, but in all of Ning City, she truly couldn’t think of anyone whose VIP rank could surpass hers.

Yet she was no fool. Since the manager spoke with such certainty, there was no lie—someone’s rank was indeed higher.

This realization frustrated Ye Pianpian deeply, and she felt a profound guilt toward Shen Suining.

Grasping Shen Suining’s hand, she said, “I’m sorry, Suining. It’s my fault—I should have just bought it the moment I saw it.”

She could have bought it outright then, but at the time, she was fixated on a handbag and thought Shen Suining wouldn’t be returning to Ning City for a while, so she hesitated.

She never expected to miss it just like that.

Ye Pianpian was filled with regret.

Shen Suining squeezed her hand gently and smiled, shaking her head. “There’s no need to apologize. It just means the dress wasn’t meant for me. I’ll look at other gowns.”

She wasn’t taking the charity gala that evening too seriously; her attendance was merely to prevent Pei Min from finding an excuse to cause trouble and sabotage her grandmother’s treatment.

So it really didn’t matter what she wore.

All the more reason she didn’t mind.

Besides, whatever Ye Pianpian had set her sights on was clearly beyond what she could afford.

Although their relationship had never involved any material calculations, Shen Suining still kept a mental balance—she wasn’t simply going to enjoy Ye Pianpian’s care but would reciprocate in every way she could.

Ye Pianpian was still extremely displeased. “Hmph! Don’t make me find out who stole the dress I wanted!”

The manager stayed tense, fearing that this heiress might throw a tantrum in the store. Fortunately, Ye Pianpian was a true noble lady, raised by a prestigious family. Though spirited and proud, she wasn’t domineering like some nouveau riche who bark orders and treat people with disdain.

The manager relaxed slightly and cast a subtle glance at Shen Suining.

Having dealt with noble families for years, she naturally knew who Shen Suining was.

She really wanted to tell them that the person who bought the dress was none other than Shen Suining’s husband, Jiang Runlang.

Moreover, Jiang Runlang had come with another young, beautiful woman, who wore the gown away—there was no intention of buying it for Shen Suining.

However, professional ethics forbade her from revealing any client’s private matters.

She could only sigh quietly to herself, lamenting the addition of another unfortunate woman in the world.

Though the manager’s glance was discreet, Shen Suining was highly perceptive.

She subtly caught the manager’s fleeting look of pity.

In an instant, Shen Suining guessed the truth.

Without showing any emotion, she withdrew her gaze and gently shook Ye Pianpian’s hand. “Pianpian, let’s look at other dresses.”

Ye Pianpian had no choice. Time was pressing, so she followed Shen Suining to browse elsewhere, though her anger remained.

With her chin raised, she scoffed softly, “Let’s go! We’ll try another store! I’m never coming back here again! Hmph!”

Ignoring the change on the manager’s face, she pulled Shen Suining toward the exit.

The manager wanted to follow but stopped herself.

Having dealt with these wealthy daughters for years, she could guess that the gala Shen Suining was attending was the same one Jiang Runlang and that woman would be at.

This meant that even if she now kept quiet about who had bought the dress, they would soon find out.

When that happened, Ye Pianpian would likely be even angrier.

After much hesitation, the manager chose not to chase after Ye Pianpian and Shen Suining but instead went to the cloakroom, where surveillance cameras couldn’t reach, and sent a message to Ye Pianpian’s phone.

By then, Ye Pianpian and Shen Suining were already inside another boutique.

Normally, Ye Pianpian wouldn’t have come here—she was rather slender and delicate, and the dresses in this store just didn’t suit her.

But today was different; Shen Suining was with her.

Suining had a figure that was busty, slender at the waist, with long legs and fair skin—a natural model’s frame.

Only that scoundrel Jiang Runlang and his ungrateful brother Jiang Jiang would ever think she was fat.

Ye Pianpian, with a clear sense of purpose, led Shen Suining straight to the boutique’s masterpiece.

It was a golden gown with a futuristic style, free of gaudy patterns, entirely covered in diamonds of uniform size that shimmered brilliantly under the lights.

The strapless design perfectly revealed the graceful lines of the neck and shoulders, hugging every curve without a single wasted inch. The fishtail skirt was the epitome of elegance.

Ye Pianpian said, “Though I still prefer the other dress, Suining, this one isn’t bad either. You’d look like a warrior queen, dominating the entire room.”

Shen Suining appreciated Ye Pianpian’s kindness but shook her head. “Pianpian, tonight’s a charity gala. This dress isn’t appropriate.”

Only then did Ye Pianpian remember, frowning at the thought. Disappointed, she said, “Right, I was only thinking about dazzling that scumbag Jiang Runlang.”