Chapter 42
No matter what happened, there was no way they were getting anything today.
Dorothea was halfway through her call to the police when she caught wind of what was going on nearby. She quickly hung up and, taking advantage of the bodyguards being distracted, slipped out without anyone noticing.
Honestly, it served them right for not getting the ring.
Albert looked furious. “Do you really think I won’t just buy this store tomorrow p>
No matter how he threatened or how cold his tone was, the staff just kept repeating, “We’re very sorry p>
In the end, Albert and Carola were shown the door.
Albert scanned the area with a stormy expression. Dorothea was nowhere in sight, which only made his mood worse. He dialed his assistant right away. When the answer came back, it finally clicked. This whole mall belonged to The Stephens Group.
So all of this was Latham’s doing.
Albert glared at the manager. “Tell Mr. Stephens I won’t forget this p>
Dorothea had barely made it down the hall when someone grabbed her and pulled her into the elevator with surprising strength.
She was about to scream and fight back until she saw the face right in front of her. All sharp lines and familiar eyes.
“It’s you p>
Latham let out a short laugh. “You were getting pushed around back there and didn’t even think to run away p>
Dorothea finally snapped out of it. “Those people earlier… they were working for you p>
No wonder someone had popped up just in time to give Carola trouble. If not, she would’ve been stuck arguing with the police and wasting her whole afternoon.
“Who else would it be?” Latham gave a small, annoyed huff. “Next time you run into crazies like that, just kick them. Don’t worry about breaking anything. If you do, I’ll pay p>
Dorothea couldn’t help but let out a half-laugh, half-sigh.
“Got it p>
“Since you’re free, let’s go. We’re trying on wedding dresses.” “Right now?” Dorothea blinked in surprise.
Latham raised an eyebrow. “If we’re having a wedding, we need photos. My dad wanted to send us on some fancy trip for a destination shoot, but I said no. Unless you want to go along with his plan p>
Dorothea shook her head so fast she almost laughed. She could already tell
Latham’s dad was dying to push them closer together.
But there really was nothing romantic between her and Latham.
A destination shoot would just be painfully awkward.
Plus, knowing his dad, he’d probably book them just one room.
Dorothea put on her brightest smile. “Your plan sounds better. Let’s do it your way p>
Latham drove them through a twisty maze of streets and finally pulled up outside a tiny, barely noticeable shop.
Dorothea glanced at the sign. It was a bridal boutique.
Inside, the gowns were surprisingly beautiful. She took a casual look around and spotted a few that actually caught her eye.
When they got to the back, a man with dyed gray hair was sprawled out in a chair, looking impossibly relaxed. “Sweetheart, you finally made it p>
That “sweetheart” made Dorothea’s skin crawl.
Was this guy another one of Latham’s old flames?
He looked older, but his style was impossible to pin down.
“Mr. Stephens, this must be the bride,” he said.
“Sweetheart, come on. I’m Jerry, the owner and the designer here,” he introduced with a wink.
“Come here, let me show you my favorite design. Took me two months to finish. If Mr. Stephens hadn’t begged me Jerry started.
Latham cut him off with a cold look. “Do you ever stop talking? Were you mute in a past life p>
Jerry went silent.
Dorothea just stared.
Latham turned to the staff. “Get a female assistant to help her try the dresses And stop with the gross nicknames, She’s my wife, not your sweetheart p>