The name stood proudly above an enormous glass storefront in elegant lettering.
For a moment, none of them spoke.
The entrance was framed with white marble, while carefully arranged displays showcased Anne's latest collection.
Elegant gowns stood on mannequins beneath soft lighting. Jewelry and accessories were displayed in glass cases. The interior was spacious and sophisticated, yet it did not feel cold.
There was something warm and graceful about the design. Everything had been carefully chosen. Everything reflected the identity of the brand. Everything carried the unmistakable touch of Anne.
The assistant stepped aside. "This is the store you were looking for, ma'am."
She gestured toward the elegant interior. "There are several store assistants inside who can help you with anything you need. Please let us know if you'd like any assistance."
"Thank you," Madison replied with a polite smile.
The assistant bowed slightly before leaving.
For a moment, the four women remained standing at the entrance. None of them spoke. They were all taking in the sheer scale and elegance of the store.
There weren't many customers inside, but the few who were there were dressed elegantly. They carried themselves with the quiet confidence of people accustomed to luxury.
Several store assistants noticed the group and immediately approached them.
"Welcome to Angel by Anne." Their voices were warm and professional.
Madison slowly looked around. Her eyes shone with pride.
"Anne really built all of this…"
There was genuine emotion in her voice.
She had always known that her daughter was capable. But seeing the result with her own eyes was different. This wasn't simply a clothing store.
Anne had created an entire world.
A world that carried her name.
A world that had been built without the support of her family.
A world that proved she had succeeded on her own.
Madison's eyes became slightly moist.
My daughter has really grown up.
For years, she had watched Anne from a distance, and now, standing inside this store, Madison suddenly realized just how much she had missed.
Olivia slowly turned her gaze toward the displays. She had expected Anne's store to be successful. But she had never imagined it would be this impressive.
Every detail appeared carefully designed.
Every display carried Anne's name.
Every employee treated the brand with respect.
Every customer who entered seemed to know exactly what they were looking for.
It was as if the entire store was silently announcing one undeniable fact.
Anne had built a world of her own.
Olivia forced a smile. "Wow…"
She looked toward Madison. "Sister really has done well for herself."
Madison smiled proudly. "She has."
But Olivia's smile slowly became harder to maintain. Her eyes moved across the luxurious store again.
The elegant clothing.
The expensive displays.
The loyal customers.
The professional staff.
Everything seemed to belong to Anne.
She already has everything.
Olivia's fingers slowly curled into her palm.
Beauty.
Her eyes moved toward a large display featuring one of Anne's newest collections.
Success.
She looked at the customers admiring the designs.
Respect.
Then another thought entered her mind. A thought that disturbed her more than everything else.
And if Jason still has feelings for her...
Her expression darkened. For years, Olivia had believed that she had slowly taken everything that once belonged to Anne.
The love of the family. The attention of Madison. The position inside the Williams family. And now, perhaps even Jason.
But standing inside this store made her realize something she had refused to acknowledge.
Anne had not lost everything. She had built something even bigger. Something that Olivia couldn't simply take away from her.
Olivia's fingers tightened against her palm.
No.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at the name above the store.
ANGEL BY ANNE.
I can't afford to underestimate her anymore.
Behind her, Sophie quietly watched her daughter. She noticed the change in Olivia's expression.
She knew that look.
And she understood exactly what was beginning to happen inside her daughter's mind.
Meanwhile, Madison continued looking around the store with pride, completely unaware of the storm slowly building inside Olivia.
And somewhere in that elegant store, Anne's presence seemed to be everywhere—even though she wasn't there.
For Olivia, that realization was more unsettling than anything else.
***
Inside the Store
The four women walked farther into the store and eventually reached the reception area.
Behind the elegant counter stood a young store assistant dressed in a sophisticated black uniform. Her clothes were neatly pressed, and a small name tag was attached to the front of her dress.
The moment she noticed the guests approaching, she stepped forward with a professional smile.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. How can I help you?"
"We're looking for some elegant party gowns," Olivia replied, returning the woman's smile. "Could you show us around?"
"Of course."
The assistant gestured toward the comfortable seating area.
"Please have a seat. I'll bring some of our latest designs for you to look through."
"Thank you."
Olivia walked over and sat down gracefully.
Madison and Sophie sat nearby, while Eva remained standing for a moment, quietly observing the store.
There was something about Olivia's behavior that made Eva uneasy. On the surface, Olivia looked exactly as she always did.
Sweet.
Polite.
Gentle.
Innocent.
But Eva had seen that expression too many times, and over the years, she had learned that there was always more beneath Olivia's carefully controlled smile.
Her thoughts suddenly returned to an incident from several years ago.
An incident she had never forgotten.
She tried to push Anne down the stairs.
Eva's expression hardened. Even now, she could still remember the fear that had seized her when she witnessed what had happened.
She remembered Anne standing near the staircase.
She remembered Olivia and she remembered the sudden movement that had made Eva believe her niece was about to be seriously hurt.
At that time, Eva had been furious. She had been ready to confront Olivia herself.
But Jason had stopped her. His voice still echoed in her memory.
"Mom, don't say anything to Olivia. I love her. I'll talk to her and make sure she behaves properly with everyone."
Those words had stayed with Eva for years. So had the expression on Anne's face when she heard them. Eva slowly looked toward Olivia.
Anne had been standing right there.
She had heard Jason defend Olivia. She had heard him say that he loved her and perhaps more painful than anything else, she had been expected to remain silent.
Eva's heart tightened. Because of Jason, she had chosen to remain silent that day.
She had respected her son's wishes. But remaining silent had never meant that she trusted Olivia. Not even for a moment.