Chapter 7

Hailey looked at the bus stop not far away, then crouched down to look at Travis, who was staring straight ahead in the car. She said calmly, “Thank you for your kindness, but I’ll be fine taking the bus.”

When Travis heard this, he turned to give her a sharp look. “Do you want others to think that the Harvey family is mistreating their new lady? She can only use a public bus if she wants to go out?”

There was no need to mention Hailey’s status as the new Harvey lady since only the Harveys and Stewarts knew. Hailey also didn’t think there was anything wrong with taking a public bus.

However, she could only keep these thoughts to herself and not say anything out loud. Despite her desire to take the bus, she faced accusations of harming the Harvey family’s reputation. If she kept insisting, other people might think she was just putting on a facade.

She wasn’t sure if she wanted Travis to know where she was going.

As she still hesitated, Travis said, “Get in the car.” His tone revealed his impatience.

Unable to do anything about it, Hailey could only get into the car. She snorted coldly in her heart and thought to herself, “It’s you who insists on taking me where I want to go.” It has nothing to do with me.”

There was also a slight sense of pleasure in her heart. She was eager to see what kind of expression Travis would have when he saw her destination.

Samuel looked at Travis, who had his eyes closed, through the rearview mirror. After exchanging another look with the bodyguard, Samuel boldly asked, “Young lady, may I know where you would like to go?”

Hailey smiled slightly and said, “I want to go to Cirrus Embroidery.”

Then, as if she was worried that Samuel didn’t hear her correctly, she deliberately said the words “Cirrus Embroidery” louder and clearer than the rest of her sentence. The car, which had been running smoothly, seemed to shake twice after Hailey said those words.

“Apologies, my hands slipped,” said Samuel, sweat running down his face.

The ninth generation had inherited Cirrus Embroidery, one of the best traditional dress shops in Holtbay City. The current owner was Annie, nephew of the eighth-generation owner, Xavier Yates. Annie was also newly engaged to his fiancée, Michelle. There was nothing wrong with Hailey going to the store, but Travis’s heart belonged to the unattainable woman, the future owner of that store. Although Samuel didn’t believe that the unattainable woman was good, his boss liked her. None of Travis’s subordinates dared to comment on this matter. Samuel glanced back at the bodyguard. Both broke out into a cold sweat for their boss. Were Hailey’s actions deliberate or a coincidence?

“Why are you going there?” Travis finally spoke for the first time since Hailey had entered the car.

Inside, Hailey smirked mockingly. On the outside, she put on an innocent expression, acting as if she knew nothing as she approached Travis. She delighted in the unrestrained expression on his face and calmly said, “My mother’s birthday is coming up soon. I plan to have a traditional dress made at Cirrus Embroidery for her.” This was, of course, a lie. Hailey wouldn’t spend money on anything at Annie and Luna’s store, although she was an apprentice there for over four years.

Travis studied Hailey from head to toe. Travis observed Hailey wore inexpensive clothing. He couldn’t help but frown.

“Since you’re leaving, you might as well have two sets made for yourself. You’re a young lady of the Harvey family, so you should dress the part as well,” Travis paused and then continued, “Have the owner send the bill to Briley Group. Consider it a gift from me to both of you.”

Hailey wondered why he was rushing to pay for things himself, but it turned out he just wanted an excuse to meet his girlfriend.

She almost burst out laughing but did her best to contain her expression. “Thank you for your kindness. It’s a shame that the type of clothing I hate the most is traditional dresses, so it’s better to forget about it.”

Travis experienced rejection for the first time while attempting to present a gift to someone, and the experience was unpleasant. He felt like he couldn’t hold back his expression of anger and humiliation any longer. The corners of his mouth twitched. Annoyed, he snapped, “Forget it if you don’t want it.”

His words lingered in Hailey’s mind. Seeing her normally dominant and calm expression crack because of his words, an inexplicable sense of pleasure rose in her heart. She imagined how surprised Michelle would be later when she saw Hailey getting out of Travis’s car. Would Luna be so shocked that her jaw dropped to the ground?

The more Hailey thought about it, the more she looked forward to it. Unfortunately, Travis didn’t do as she wished.

As soon as they reached the intersection of Lotus Road, where Cirrus Embroidery was located, Travis had Samuel stop the car.

“You can get out of the car now,” Travis told Hailey.

Hailey would not give up that easily. “The place is very close.” God knew how much courage she needed to say these words. After all, Travis had a reputation for taking drastic measures if he disagreed with someone’s words.

“Since it’s very close, you can walk the remaining distance,” Travis said. “Didn’t you like walking and taking the bus?”

Hailey found herself stunned and unable to respond. Travis’s bodyguard had already helped her open the car door. She could only get out of the car angrily and watch as it drove away.

“Ah, I didn’t expect him to pull those tricks,” she muttered, stomping her foot on the ground in annoyance before walking down the familiar path towards Cirrus Embroidery.

She didn’t expect that in the car; Travis had instructed Samuel, “Introduce her to two stylists. With her dressed like that, it’s a disgrace to the Harvey family.” Identical retro buildings, ranging from three to four stories high, lined the entire Lotus Road. Cirrus Embroidery had three stories, and the store’s front was neither large nor small.

The decorations had an older feel, with various fabrics and traditional dresses on display. There was also a large, lush banana tree planted in the backyard. The shop would invite VIP customers upstairs, reserving the ground floor for regular customization. The shop apprentices will practice basic skills in the backyard. Two customers were discussing dress styles with the tailor. Hailey’s arrival was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, disrupting the peace in the store.

Hailey’s old acquaintances were reluctant to greet her. It was an unfamiliar shop assistant who approached with a smile and said, “Welcome.”

“I’m looking for your boss,” said Hailey.

The shop assistant studied Hailey’s clothes and determined that she did not look like someone who could afford a highly priced dress. “Miss, our boss rarely makes dresses for customers so easily. You can see our other tailors’ craftsmanship here. The dresses they make are exquisite, and the price is also more reasonable.”

Luna employed a shop assistant with a sharp tongue. With a slightly mocking expression, Hailey’s eyes glanced at the tailors the shop assistant had mentioned.

One of them bit the bullet and stepped forward, shooing away the confused shop assistant. “The bosses are out. They are not here.”

“Really now?” Hailey’s lips moved. It’s not like they’ve done something shameful. Why are they hiding? If you don’t want to see me, that’s fine.

She looked at the two women who were sneaking glances at her, then smiled and added, “Then don’t even think about doing business today.”

The person who greeted her was surprised, and then said quietly, “I asked you to leave because you look pitiful. You know they’ve found a powerful backer. The weak cannot go against the strong, so why do you insist on opposing them so much?”

That’s right. How could Hailey not know that Luna had found a powerful sponsor? After all, Hailey had just been kicked out of her biggest client’s car.

“Just tell her I’m here, and she’ll know me.”

“I’ve got something she wants.”