Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 323

Chapter 323

Lucas frowned. “Why? What happened?”

Lucas had been less plugged in lately, with his wife pregnant, so he’d missed chunks of the drama.

“Nothing,” Aiden said quickly. “Catherine is worried Rebecca will get the wrong idea, so she’s keeping her distance from you.”

Vance stroked his chin. “Fine. Bring her. List her as an assistant.”

“Got it. Should I get her a gown?”

“Sure. I’ll transfer you the money.”

The next morning, they arrived at Derek’s studio.

Rebecca had called ahead, and the team had already curated a rack of dresses in her size and preferred

palette.

Derek waited in the showroom, jumping up the moment they walked through the door. She flinched at his overreaction. When had he become so outgoing?

But he was running toward Gabriel, not her. He exclaimed, “Man, you’re back in the country?”

His gaze fell on Rebecca’s hand that was holding Gabriel’s arm, and something clicked: these two had the same family name.

“Wait, you guys…” he said.

“Yep,” Gabriel said, grinning. “She is my cousin.”

“Why didn’t you lead with that?” Derek glanced at Rebecca. “No wonder she always looked so familiar. I thought we had some cosmic connection. Turns out you guys are related.”

Cosmic connection? Really?

“Come on, coffee time.” Derek herded them to the lounge and brewed two cups. “These beans just landed. Call yourselves lucky.”

Years ago, while studying fashion in Europe, Derek had been mentored by Kaitlyn. His friendship with

Gabriel had started then.

“I can’t believe I didn’t put it together sooner. Perry isn’t exactly Smith,” Derek groaned.

“If I had, would you have given her discounts?” Gabriel teased.

“Obviously!” Derek grinned, unusually animated.

“Not too late now,” Gabriel said, mock-stern. “Bring out your best. Make her shine at the banquet.”

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“Done. I’ll throw in my top makeup and styling team-red-carpet caliber,” Derek promised, then jabbed a finger at Gabriel. “You came back to the country and didn’t even contact me. Big important heir now, too busy for your old friends?”

“Come on,” Gabriel laughed, having been buried in work.

An assistant appeared. “Ready for fittings, Ms. Perry?”

Rebecca had been grinning the whole time listening to them. She followed the assistant to the dressing

area.

“She looks a lot lighter,” Derek whispered.

Gabriel’s expression shifted. “Was she unhappy before?”

Even an outsider had seen it?

Derek shook his head. “Obvious in a way that hurt to watch. She’s got real light in her. Back when she danced, they called her Swallow. Then her wings broke. She came here to manage her husband’s wardrobe and insisted on designing custom cufflinks so his shirts would stand out. People lost their minds over them.”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Cufflinks?”

D

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