Chapter 77

Phil waved his hand, signaling for his assistant to follow his wife and daughter.

"This way, Mr. Fletcher," Lisette said politely.

"Could we find a quiet place?" Phil asked in his usual composed manner, his tone warm yet commanding-the kind of confidence that came naturally to a man used to being respected.

Lisette glanced at Lottie, who gave a small nod.Turning back to Phil, she smiled quickly. "Of course,right this way."

"Marissa, let's talk for a bit, okay?" Phil said hopefully. He clearly wanted a moment alone with her.

Marissa's tone remained calm, her face expressionless. "Sorry, Mr. Fletcher, I have other commitments." There was nothing more to say between them.

Phil didn't seem offended. Instead, he gave a faint,indulgent smile.

"Didn't you once want to study medicine?" he said gently. "Tonight, I'll take you to meet Dr. Wallace."

The offer made her pause for a heartbeat.

She had wanted to study medicine. But Susanna and Phil had refused, insisting she major in business to prepare for managing the company. Her own dreams had never mattered.

Later, because of Bryson, she had secretly taken medical courses for two years.

So why bring it up now? Because of her looks?

Marissa's slender fingers brushed lightly over her cheek as she studied him in silence. Her face, calm and radiant, gave nothing away.

"There's no need," she said simply, then turned and walked away without hesitation. Phil watched her leave, shaking his head with a fond smile. "Her temper is getting worse," he muttered,half amused.

Lottie didn't respond. She had no intention of commenting on the Fletcher family's issues. Instead,she gave Lisette a subtle nod to change the subject."Mr. Fletcher," she said smoothly. "Would you like to sit down and rest for a bit? My assistant can help with that."

"Sure, thank you," Phil replied, following Lisette down the corridor.

Meanwhile, Marissa's makeup was finished-only her nails and jewelry remained.

She followed Lottie back to the dressing room.

The moment she opened the door, the air buzzed with chatter.

Evelina was standing in front of a mirror, surrounded by several staff members. One of them gushed, "You look stunning in that dress! Most people wear the dress, but you own it. So elegant!"

Across the room, Susanna was in her usual imperious form. She jabbed a finger toward the assistants managing the wardrobe. "I'm Marissa's mother. Why can't I use her dressing room? Go ahead-ask her if she dares to refuse me!"

The nearby assistants stood frozen, tense and uneasy, afraid Susanna might break the expensive jewelry in her hands.

Marissa walked straight over, her heels clicking against the floor.

"Miss Fletcher!" one of the assistants exclaimed in relief,quickly stepping forward.

Marissa's gaze swept over Susanna and Evelina,calm and cool, before resting on the assistant."What's going on?" she asked evenly. "Are there no other dressing rooms?"

Evelina, completely absorbed in herself, didn't even look up. She posed in the mirror, snapped a photo, and sent it off to Bryson, completely missing the fact that Marissa was visible in the shot. "What's the fuss? Can't you see I'm busy?" she said with a self-satisfied smile.

She didn't realize the voice was calling Marissa.

Susanna did. She clutched the necklace tigher,her brow creasing in irritation and confusion.

What was Phil doing?

Wasn't he supposed to talk to Marissa, to lecture her? Why was she back so soon?

With a sour expression, Susanna glared at Marissa's reflection in the mirror-radiant, composed, and clearly unbothered. The sight made her jaw tighten in frustration.

The assistant, feeling aggrieved, spoke up. "We were organising the dresses and jewelry when they came in, saying they needed this dressing room. I explained it was yours, but this lady said she was your mother and that-" "Shut up!" Susanna snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the air.

The assistant flinched but hurried on, words tumbling out."She said that you wouldn't dare refuse her the dressing room."

Marissa gave a composed nod. "That is accurate."

"Huh?" The assistant blinked, regretting herdecision to try to stop the mother and daughter.

Susanna froze for a second, then relaxed, misreading the situation completely. She assumed Phil had gotten through to Marissa, convinced her to behave.

Feeling smug, she straightened and sneered at the assistant. "See? She wouldn't even dare say no."

The assistant pressed her lips together, not daring to reply.

"Weren't you so confident before?" Susanna hissed,turning her attention back to Marissa. "Fetch Lottie.Evelina prefers her makeup style." Marissa moved forward, placing herself between Susanna and the assistant.

"lf Mrs. Corrine Curtis were here," she said evenly,"this dressing room would be hers to use as she pleases."