My Boss’s Hidden Heir (Elara and Marcus) novel Chapter 181

Chapter 181

Elara’s POV

The boutique was chaos in the best possible way.

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Elara had expected maybe thirty people to show up for the grand opening. She’d prepared champagne for fifty just to be safe, thinking that was wildly optimistic.

There were at least two hundred people crammed into the space.

Fashion editors from Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar examining the curated racks with critical eyes. Socialites trying on statement pieces in the fitting rooms. Influencers taking photos in front of the custom wallpaper Elara had agonized over for weeks. And somehow, impossibly, three actual celebrities browsing the accessories like this was a normal Tuesday.

“This is insane,” Mimi said, appearing at Elara’s elbow with a champagne flute. “Do you know who just walked in? That actress from the Netflix show everyone’s obsessed with. She’s looking at your evening wear.”

“Stop. I can’t think about that right now or I’ll have a panic attack.”

“Too late. She’s coming over.”

The actress approached with one of Elara’s designs draped over her arm, a midnight blue gown with hand- beaded details that had taken Elara three weeks to source. “Is the designer here? I’d love to talk about a custom piece for the Emmys.”

Elara’s brain short-circuited. The Emmys. This woman wanted to wear Elara’s design to the actual Emmys that would be broadcast to millions of people.

“I’m the designer,” she managed to say. “Elara Thorne.”

“Your work is stunning. Really. I’ve been looking for something that feels elegant without being boring and this is exactly it.” The actress gestured to the gown. “Can we talk about measurements and timeline?”

Mimi physically pushed Elara forward. “Yes, she’d love to. Let’s go to the consultation area.”

The next hour passed in a blur. Elara took measurements, sketched ideas, discussed fabric options and bead placements while some part of her brain screamed that this couldn’t actually be happening. She was designing a gown for an Emmy nominee. Her boutique had been open for ninety minutes and she already had a commission that could launch her entire career.

When the actress finally left with promises to follow up, Elara collapsed into one of the velvet chairs in the fitting area.

“I need a minute,” she told Mimi. “Just one minute to,process whatever just happened.”

“No time. There’s a woman from Town & Country asking about a feature. And someone from the Times wants an interview. And I think that’s Anna Wintour’s assistant taking photos.”

“You’re joking.”

17:10 Mon, May 11

Chapter 181

GE

11 JENGH

“I am not joking Your boutique is officially a thing. Congratulations on becoming an overnight success after three months of absolutely grueling preparation.”

Elara forced herself to stand and smooth her dress. She could have a breakdown later Right now she needed to be professional and grateful and everything a successful boutique owner should be

She found Marcus in the main room holding both twins while a cluster of women cooed over them. Alexander was eating the attention, smiling and babbling at anyone who looked his way. Catherine watched everyone with her usual serious expression, like she was judging whether they were worthy of her notice.

“Using our children for marketing?” Elara teased.

“They’re naturals. Alexander just charmed three women into buying evening gowns and Catherine convinced someone to buy an entire accessory collection with a single withering stare.”

“That’s my girl.”

Marcus handed Catherine over and Elara held her daughter close, breathing in that baby smell that somehow made everything feel more manageable. “This is overwhelming,” she admitted quietly. “In the best way but still completely overwhelming.”

“You’re doing amazing. Look around, El. This is all you. Your vision, your designs, your business. I just wrote some checks.”

“You did more than write checks. You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

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