Chapter 67

Summer was a season of relentless sweat.Even Marissa,who rarely perspired,felt the heat. Wearing three layers left her feeling hot and sticky.

Lisette and the other assistants watched as Marissa removed one layer only to reveal another underneath.They kept their expressions neutral, careful not to offend her.

Marissa must have her own reasons for dressing that way.

Inside the room,the assistants pampered her with essential oils,their pleasant scent filling the air and making the room feel calm and relaxed.

Lottie was outside organizing a variety of gowns and accessories.instructing her assistant to organize everything properly.

"Lottie,there's a call for you,"an assistant said, holding out a phone that had been ringing nonstop. She stood nervously at the edge of the room,afraid to step closer.

In sharp contrast to her customary friendliness with

clients,Lottie gave the assistant a chilly look as she

smoothed down the glittering hem of a dress. "Who's calling?"she asked.

With stiff,anxious shoulders,the assistant handed over the phone."Three females.One claims to be from the Fletcher family,while the other two claim to be from the Hardy family.They said they're coming for makeup and styling.I told them you were unavailable today,but..."

"Didn't I say I was busy today?"Lottie interrupted, her tone sharp.

The assistant flinched,her eyes filling with tears. Her lips trembled before she managed to say, "They didn't specifically ask for you."

Lottie's expression eased slightly.She picked up the phone,but she didn't answer right away.She instructed,"Make sure someone waits at the door. Take them directly to the third floor when they arrive."

"Got it,"the assistant replied quickly and hurried off to follow the instruction.

On the second floor,Lisette and the other assistants were praising Marissa."Miss,your skin is so smooth,like a baby's."

Lisette took advantage of the oil massage to add a few extra gentle strokes.

Marissa,never one for idle talk,gave her a brief glance but didn't respond.

"Lottie must be so jealous.You know,right?Lottie isn't actually a woman but a man,"Lisette said.

Marissa's cold and distant demeanor made her difficult to approach.

Lisette felt slightly offended by Marissa's indifference,thinking she probably looked down on ordinary people now that she was associated with the Curtis family.

Did Marissa even realize she was nothing more than a plaything to Marc?

In high society,family background is everything. Ordinary young women are often treated as disposable companions by wealthy men.

Unaware of Lisette's thoughts,Marissa simply nodded.

"Doesn't it bother you?"Lisette asked,curious. Some people still couldn't accept Lottie's gender transition,even though they respected her makeup skills.

"No,"Marissa replied evenly,lifting her gaze to

meet Lisette's.

Under the weight of that gaze,Lisette fell silent.

Marissa picked up a magazine,covered her face, and motioned for Lisette to continue.

Lisette wanted to keep talking,but seeing Marissa's eyes drifting closed,she fell silent.

She didn't want to risk offending her.

The Curtis family was known for being generous. This single appointment was worth as much as all their orders from the previous month combined.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

Lisette carefully lifted the magazine from Marissa's face and noticed her even breathing.

She signaled for one of the assistants to open the door.

A man stood outside,and the female assistant quickly stepped out,closing the door behind her.

"What is it?"she asked,recognizing him after a second as Marc's assistant.Assuming he was just checking on their progress,she said politely,"Miss Fletcher is in the middle of a skincare session."

Marc's assistant,Boden Smith,replied,"Mr.Curtis asked me to bring over some ice cream for her."

Boden had originally planned to deliver the treats in person but thought it might be inappropriate to enter,so he waited by the door.

The assistant was surprised.After a brief pause, she decided to take Boden to find Lottie,only to learn that she wasn't around.Another colleague mentioned that Lottie had gone up to the third floor.

"Please wait a moment,"she said before returning to the room.

Since Lottie was absent,the next in charge was Lisette.

"Lisette! Lisette!" she called softly, barely containing her excitement.Her eyes lit up with joy.