The three girls laughed together, their conversation filled with excitement as they continued talking about Anne.
Not far away, Sophie had been watching them.
She leaned slightly toward Olivia and lowered her voice, clearly intending her words only for her daughter.
"Isn't she just the CEO of a small company? What's the big fuss about? Anyone can become a CEO if you have your father's money backing you."
Sophie didn't realize how clearly her words had carried across the store.
The laughter stopped. Silence suddenly fell over the entire area. One by one, the people nearby turned toward her.
Some looked shocked. Others looked openly offended by the dismissive way she had spoken about Anne. A few employees exchanged uncomfortable glances before quietly whispering among themselves.
Olivia's face immediately became awkward. She could feel the attention around her, and she hated it.
Some of the employees seemed to assume that Sophie had spoken that way because of her connection to Olivia. After all, Sophie was her mother.
Olivia forced a small smile, wishing she could somehow disappear from the situation.
Mom, why did you have to say that here?
However, Sophie didn't seem to fully understand what she had just caused.
Clara's expression slowly changed. The warmth that had been on her face moments ago disappeared. She turned toward Sophie.
For the first time since Anne had entered the store, the atmosphere became tense again.
"Angel isn't a small company." Clara's voice was calm. But there was unmistakable firmness behind every word.
Sophie looked at her, slightly surprised. "I was only stating my opinion."
Clara gave her a faint smile. "And you're entitled to your opinion. But there's a difference between having an opinion and speaking without knowing the facts."
Sophie's brows furrowed. "What facts?"
Clara folded her arms. "Anne built Angel herself. She didn't inherit it from anyone, and she didn't rely on anyone's money to build it."
Sophie's expression changed slightly.
Clara continued. "She started with her own designs and slowly turned those designs into a successful fashion brand. She worked for years to build the company into what it is today."
She gestured around the elegant store. "This isn't just one small shop. Angel has multiple stores, private collections, exclusive designs, and clients from all over the country."
Rose immediately nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! That's what I was trying to tell you. Anne is incredibly famous in the fashion industry."
Jenny smiled. "And she's not just a CEO. She's a designer too. I've seen some of her collections online. They're amazing."
Sophie remained silent. Clearly, she hadn't expected such a strong reaction.
Clara looked directly at her. "And for your information, Angel isn't successful because Anne inherited it from someone. She built it herself."
Olivia's expression changed slightly. Her eyes instinctively moved toward the private office where Anne had disappeared moments ago. She had always known that Anne owned Angel. But somehow, she had never truly thought about what that meant.
Anne hadn't simply been handed a successful company. She had built an entire business herself, and judging by everything around her, she had built a very successful one.
Olivia lowered her eyes.
How much don't I know about her?
The thought unsettled her.
For years, Olivia had believed she understood Anne. She had always seen Anne as the quiet, reserved daughter of the Williams family.
Someone who was beautiful, talented, and perhaps a little too distant. But now, standing inside Angel by Anne and listening to everyone talk about her, Olivia was beginning to realize that Anne had created an entire world outside their family.
A world where she was respected.
Admired.
And completely independent.
Sophie noticed the attention still directed toward her and quickly became defensive.
"I didn't mean anything serious. I simply said that I don't understand why everyone is making such a big deal about her."
Clara's expression remained calm. "Because she's earned it."
Her words were simple. Yet they silenced Sophie immediately. For a moment, nobody spoke. Then Clara turned away from Sophie and looked toward Rose and Jenny.
"Anyway, let's not waste our time arguing."
Rose nodded quickly. "You're right. Some people don't seem to understand her value—or anything about fashion."
She then leaned closer to Clara, her expression suddenly becoming excited again. "But you really have to introduce us to her."
Clara laughed. "I already told you that I will."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Jenny smiled. "You're so lucky. If Anne is really your best friend, you have no idea how jealous we are."
Clara rolled her eyes playfully. "She's more than just a famous designer to me."
Her smile softened. "She's my best friend."
Olivia listened quietly.
Something about those words bothered her.
My best friend.
Clara had said it so naturally. There had been no hesitation.
No uncertainty. Anne trusted Clara enough to personally design a gown for her. She had chosen a dress that carried a deeply personal meaning and willingly given it to Clara for her birthday.
That kind of relationship wasn't something Olivia could easily understand or enter. Olivia looked down at her own dress.
She had come to the store wanting something special for herself.
Instead, she had discovered that Anne's world already contained people who occupied places she could never easily enter.
Clara. Her closest friend. People in the fashion industry who admired her.
Employees who respected her. Customers who waited for her designs, and a company she had built with her own hands.
Olivia's fingers slowly curled around the fabric of her dress.
How did she build all of this without me knowing?
"Olivia, are you all right?" Madison's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
Olivia immediately looked up. "Yes, Aunt Madison. I'm fine."
She forced a smile. "I'm just a little tired."
Madison studied her for a moment before nodding. But Eva was watching Olivia too, and Eva didn't believe her.
There was something different in Olivia's expression. Something hidden beneath that polite smile.
Eva couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she had learned long ago not to ignore her instincts when it came to Olivia.
Before anyone could say anything else, Madison turned toward Sophie. Her expression had become noticeably colder.
"Sophie, it would be better if you thought before you spoke."
Sophie looked at her. Madison continued, her voice firm.
"My daughter has built everything she has on her own, without our help. She has achieved all of this through her own hard work."
Her eyes hardened. "So think before you make comments about my daughter."
Sophie didn't say anything. She lowered her gaze slightly. For the first time, a trace of shame appeared on her face. She hadn't expected Madison to defend Anne so openly.