Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 364

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Elysia felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she thought about what would happen if the press caught wind of

this.

She wasn't naive, Her brothers had made their feelings about Zane clear-they didn’t like him at all.

This situation needed careful planning from every angle.

Right now, she focused on Zane. He was the one she had chosen, and she wasn’t about to let him slip away.

Zane continued to massage her legs softly. “Feeling better?” he asked, glancing over at her.

“Much better, Elysia replied.

Just as she finished her sentence, the doorbell rang, interrupting the moment.

“Stay right there. I'll get it, Zane said, gently placing her legs down as he stood up.

When he opened the door, Barry stood there with a gift box in hand. His eyes lit up when he recognized Zane.

“Mr. Hartley, as you requested, here's everything you need,” he said, handing the box over.

“Thanks,” Zane replied, taking the box with a nod.

Barry didn’t hang around after that. He understood the unspoken rules.

He thought, “This is clearly Ms. Rosewood’s... No, Ms. Evans's place. Besides, it's hard to believe that such a

decent guy like Mr. Hartley will stay with a lady alone but Elysia!

What was more, he knew the gift box he brought over was packed with an evening gown.

Over the years, Barry had never seen Zane bring a date to any event.

Well, there was that one tat Tom's party, but that was different-Tom had a strange rule that everyone

needed a partner.

Other than that, Barry had always known Zane to be single.

Feeling proud of his deduction, Barry congratulated himself silently, patting his back in thought.

Meanwhile, Zane turned back to Elysia, handing her the gift box. “This is the dress for tomorrow's dinner, Elysia.

What do you think?” he asked gently.

Elysia opened the box and gasped. Inside lay a stunning light blue off-shoulder gown. The design hugged her

figure perfectly, flaring out into a beautiful mermaid tail, delicately embroidered with white flowers.

As she took in the sight, a feeling of déja vu washed over her.

‘Wait a second. Isn’t this the dress from Morgania Fashion Week a few years back? There was only one in that

collection, and

| gave it to Tom. How is it here? Could someone have recreated my design?‘ she wondered.

Holding the gown up, she examined it closely, her brow furrowing in disbelief. This was undeniably her

Noticing her mixed reaction, Zane couldn't help but smile. “Does it look familiar?” he asked.

Elysia blinked in surprise. “Zane, where did you get this dress?”

m.

A small smile crept onto Zane’s face. “I found it at Tom’s shop when | was in Morgania. | don’t know why, but |

felt this strong urge to buy it. Unfortunately, Tom wouldn't sell it toat all.”

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“He said it was a gift for his late wife. She adored Ada’s designs. After she passed away, he started going to

every one of Ada’s fashion shows. He never misses them. Zane explained, his tone turning serious.

“Then one time, he saw this dress at a show, and it really hit him. He thought about how much his wife would

have loved it if she were still here,” he added.

Zane's gaze turned toward Elysia, his eyes softening. “After the show, he went backstage to speak with Ada. He

shared this touching story with her, and in the end, Ada gave him the dress”

Elysia was taken aback for a second. It was true. When she hesitated to sell this dress, Tom’s story about his wife

deeply touched her.

But then she wondered how Zane even knew Tom.

Suddenly, she recalled the first tshe met Nora at the Grand Restaurant. Nora had walked over to greet Zane,

mentioning she was his date at Tom’s dinner party.

Of course, it made sense. Tom had this quirky expectation that everyone invited to his parties should bring a

date.

With that realization, Elysia redirected her question. “So how did you actually get this dress, Zane?”

Zane leaned closer, a glint in his eye. “I told Tom a story, too.”

Elysia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ‘A story?‘ she thought.

Zane's lips curled into a grin. “I told him | met a girl | really like. I'm planning to take her to my mom'’s birthday

party next month. Before | met her, | had no idea how wonderful it could feel to like someone.”

“That's it? That's all you said?” Elysia asked.

“Not quite. | made it sound a bit more emotional. In the end, Tom gavethe dress. He wantsand the girl |

love to be happy together and keep that love alive,” Zane said, his voice filled with sincerity.

Elysia’s heart fluttered. She realized he had prepared this dress a month in advance.

That meant right after he mentioned the birthday party, he had already planned to get the dress ready. The

thought warmed her inside.

Zane couldn't take his eyes off Elysia. He was captivated. He stumbled upon that gorgeous dress by chance.

Earlier, he had gone to Morgania to meet Tom and noticed the dress hanging in the store window. The design

was strikingly similar to Ada’s style. When Tom introduced the dress, Zane realized it was one of Ada’s creations.

Suddenly, Elysia’s face flashed in his mind. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt a strong urge to buy that dress for

her.

As he connected the dots between Elysia and Ada, doubts about their identities crept in. Now, he was convinced

that Elysia and Ada were actually the sperson.

“Do you like it?” Zane asked, his gaze locking onto her. Elysia paused for a moment before nodding with a smile.

“Yeah, | really do.”

“Good. As long as you like it, that’s all that matters. You and Ada are friends, so you must know her designs

pretty well,” Zane said, a warm smile spreading across his face.

Elysia recalled saying something similar before. As Zane spoke, she remembered how she had been admiring the

dress just moments earlier. She nodded again, feeling proud of her own work.

Zane watched her intently, choosing not to call her out on anything. Once he stepped out of the villa, Elysia

collapsed onto the sofa. She replayed what had just happened in her mind, cherishing every detail.

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Thank goodness she had grown more confident lately. In the past, just a little closeness would have sent her

heart racing and Jeft her flustered. That would have been so embarrassing.

But now, she was embracing her new identity as Zane’s girlfriend.

A smile crept onto her lips, and suddenly it seemed like she could act freely without fear of holding back.

Phoebe wasn’t htoday. She had been spending a lot of tat the Scented Garden and usually returned

late.

Elysia’s heart raced with excitement, and Zane felt the sway. Even though he appeared calm on the outside,

inside he was a jumble of nerves.

He was thrilled that Elysia was officially his girlfriend.

Does this mean we can have a real relationship?‘ he thought to himself.

After he typed in the passcode to unlock the front door, Alice crushing up to him, her eyes wide with

curiosity. “Zane! How did it go? What happened?”

Zane chuckled, lightly tapping her forehead. “It's grown-up stuff. Little kids should stay out of these things.”

With that, he moved to walk past her.

But Alice wasn’t having it. She rushed after him, protesting, “I'm not a kid! | know way more than

you

think!”

Unable to contain her curiosity, she dashed in front of Zane, blocking his path. “Zane, con! You have to tell