Chapter 68

At once,Lisette pressed a finger to her lips,her eyebrows knitting together to silence the assistant.

Having finished her skincare routine,Marissa had drifted into a deep sleep.

The assistant shot a glance at Marissa,swiftly clapped a hand over her mouth,and shared a knowing look with Lisette,hinting at a noteworthy event.

Lisette peered at Marissa,whose breaths were calm and even,then softly tiptoed out of the room.

The moment she crossed the threshold,the assistant could barely contain her glee,hopping twice in place,her excitement palpable."Lisette, Mr.Curtis sent ice cream for everyone,courtesy of Miss Fletcher.Guess where it's from?"she chirped.

"Where?"Lisette teased,fully aware it wasn't from some budget ice cream parlor,given the assistant's excitement.

"It's from Gourmet Glacier!"the assistant beamed, her grin contagious."I've never tried it before!"

"Really?"Lisette's surprise matched hers.Was Marc genuinely that devoted to Marissa?

Her earlier wariness seemed justified.

"Where's Lottie?"Lisette asked.

"She's handling some difficult clients on the third floor.Mr.Curtis'assistant stopped by earlier,but since Miss Fletcher wasn't changed,I kept him out,"the assistant replied,her mind fixated on the ice cream,oblivious to her oversight in not informing Marissa first.

"I'Il let her know,"Lisette decided after a moment's thought.

Since Marc had sent the treat in Marissa's name,it was only proper that she be informed.

For Marissa,the skincare routine felt endless and dull,so much so that she had dozed off.

Lisette stepped back in,debating whether to rouse her,when Marissa's stunning eyes fluttered open.

Those eyes were clear,luminous,and captivating.

Lisette,briefly mesmerized,quickly recovered and smiled warmly."Miss Fletcher,your skincare is done.Would you like to rest a bit longer?Mr. Curtis'assistant just mentioned he sent some ice cream for everyone.Would you like to have it

now?"

Lisette held out a pristine white robe,ready to slip it over Marissa as she rose.

Feeling sticky all over,Marissa's brow creased slightly.

Lisette's pulse quickened.Then she heard Marissa say,"You all enjoy it.I need a shower first."

The heavy fragrance overwhelmed her;she craved the calming scent of herbs.

"Oh?"Lisette blinked,caught off guard.

"I need to wash off,"Marissa clarified simply.

"Of course,one moment,"Lisette replied,promptly fetching fresh undergarments and handing them over."These are new,sent by Mrs.Curtis."

All of Corrine's deliveries matched Marissa's measurements perfectly.

Marissa,clad only in underwear beneath the robe, headed to the shower."Call me when I'm done.Go enjoy the ice cream,"she said.

Lisette's colleagues grinned,delighted even by their client's small gesture.

They giggled,thanking Marissa."Thank you,Miss Fletcher!"

"You're welcome,"Marissa replied,already heading toward the shower.

"She is really cold.You're bold to chat with her, Lisette.Her stare is kind of intense,"one coworker whispered."Mr.Curtis is so sweet to her!"

Lisette shot her a look,not calling out her ulterior motives but choosing sharp words."Sure,Mr. Curtis sent the treats,but without Miss Fletcher, would he bother with our studio?Drop those fairy- tale dreams.Real life isn't a soap opera.

Understood?"

She fixed the woman with a pointed stare.

Unlike Lottie,Lisette had a keen eye for motives. Despite Lottie's gender transition,her perspective often leaned traditionally masculine,She understood exactly what the woman was thinking一 that by winning Marc over,she could live a luxurious life like Marissa's.

The woman,caught in Lisette's gaze,ducked behind a coworker to avoid scrutiny.

Her colleague promptly stepped away,leaving her exposed,and snapped,"Why are you crowding me?"

Feeling cornered,the woman's eyes welled up,but she stayed silent,too intimidated to respond.

Meanwhile,the other staff clustered together,their faces brightening the moment Lisette appeared.

Ignoring their eager looks,Lisette made a beeline for Boden,who had just ended a call with Marc.

Aware of her role in Marissa's skincare routine, Boden stepped forward with a smile and asked, "Does Miss Fletcher have any instructions?"