The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 228

Could Stefan have bought them for her? After all, Samantha occasionally accompanied him to formal industry galas.

But no, Samantha was happily married with children, fiercely professional, and always knew her boundaries. She would never accept personal gifts of this magnitude.

Which meant Stefan had sent Samantha here to style another woman.

Unable to contain her burning curiosity, she asked, "Who are you shopping with today, Samantha?"

Samantha saw no reason to hide it. "Ms. Jowett. Mr. Goddard has a formal dinner tonight, and he requested she accompany him."

Ophelia’s jaw tightened, her teeth sinking into her lower lip as a sickening wave of jealousy crashed over her.

Stefan was taking Winona to a high-profile, public event?

Had he completely lost his mind?

Unable to stomach the thought of seeing Winona walk out looking like a million bucks, Ophelia spun around and practically marched out of the boutique.

Winona stepped out of the fitting room wearing an ethereal, pearl-white slip dress. The dazzling diamonds at her throat didn't steal a fraction of her spotlight; if anything, her radiant beauty made the jewels look dull by comparison.

Samantha actually caught her breath.

It was no wonder Mr. Goddard was so utterly captivated by her.

Standing there, Winona looked absolutely flawless. Even Samantha couldn't look away.

Recovering her composure, Samantha pulled out her phone. "Ms. Jowett, do you mind if I take a few photos? I need to send them to Mr. Goddard so he can approve the look."

Winona blinked, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "We need his approval?"

Just how high-stakes was this dinner?

The nerves started to set in.

Sensing her hesitation, Samantha offered a reassuring smile. "Mr. Goddard is famously meticulous about details. Even when I accompany him to formal events, I have to clear my wardrobe with him first. Please don't overthink it, Ms. Jowett. Just treat it like a standard work protocol."

Winona was genuinely curious. "If you usually go with him, why did he ask me tonight?"

"Because tonight’s guest list is packed with heavyweights in pharmaceutical research," Samantha explained smoothly. "I don't have the technical background for that. Mr. Goddard needs someone with your exact expertise by his side."

That made perfect sense to Winona. Relaxing a little, she stood still while Samantha snapped a few photos.

Samantha then forwarded them to Winona's phone.

"If you wouldn't mind sending these to him directly for his review."

Winona nodded and texted the pictures to Stefan.

It was painfully obvious. The first dress was the least revealing and left the most to the imagination.

*

Since Stefan was still wrapping up paperwork at the office, Samantha drove Winona to the venue herself.

Pulling up to the grand entrance of the hotel, Samantha turned to Winona. "I have to get back to the office to handle some emails, so I'll leave you here. Mr. Goddard will arrive in about fifteen minutes. Feel free to head inside and grab a drink while you wait."

Winona thanked her warmly and stepped out into the cool evening air.

Gathering the flowing fabric of her gown, she made her way toward the grand ballroom doors.

She didn't even make it inside before she ran into Tallulah.

Tallulah was also draped in a flashy evening gown. When her eyes raked over Winona’s designer dress and exquisite jewelry, they widened in sheer disbelief.

There was no way Winona could afford any of this luxury on her own.

Did Yulen secretly buy all this for her?

The thought made Tallulah’s blood boil, especially considering how cold and distant Yulen had been acting toward her lately.

She glared at Winona, her lip curling into a sneer. "You know, you can dress up trash in designer labels, but at the end of the day, it's still trash! Let me give you some friendly advice, Winona. Stay away from Yulen. Stop trying to steal another woman's man."