Part 5: Stripping the Bride
"Begin the recovery procedure," Claire commanded.
The boutique employees moved with absolute, practiced professionalism. Without ever touching Vanessa’s skin, they seamlessly positioned three tall privacy screens around the elevated fitting pedestal, completely boxing her in and blocking her reflection from the hand-carved mirrors.
Elena held out a standard satin boutique robe over the top of the screen. "Ms. Mercer, you may change privately. Your personal clothing is inside the changing suite. Once the gown is returned and thoroughly inspected, you will be escorted from the premises."
"I am not taking it off!" Vanessa shouted from behind the screen, her voice echoing off the high ceilings. "My wedding photographs are already planned around this specific dress!"
"The gown is not yours," Claire stated flatly.
"My reception costs half a million dollars!"
"The gown is not yours."
Vanessa’s voice finally cracked, losing its haughty edge, replaced by a desperate, high-pitched panic. "You can’t ruin my entire wedding over one stupid little dress!"
Claire glanced down at the jaggedly cut lace of Lily’s skirt, her jaw tightening.
"You cut that 'stupid little dress' while it was still on a terrified child," Claire whispered.
Diane aggressively stepped into Claire’s personal space. "Claire, lower your voice. We can handle this privately, as a family. Vanessa simply lost her temper because she is under immense wedding pressure."
"So Lily should pay the price for her lack of emotional control?"
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"Of course not, but—"
"But she did," Claire interrupted. She looked past Diane at the bridesmaids, who were frantically trying to delete the videos they had recorded. "This stopped being a private family matter the exact moment your daughter chose to publicly humiliate mine."
