Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue
Chapter 1695

When Rose got to her office, she found Clarissa standing stiffly, waiting for her. "Are you ClarissaSparks?"

At the sound of her name, Clarissa hurriedly rose to her feet. "Ms. Emerson.”

Rose studied her with surprise. She had expected the matriarch of the Schmidt family to exudegrace and authority, not the demeanor she encountered.

Clarissa only wore a simple white suit with her hair in a neat bun. Though her makeup wasimpeccably applied, it couldn't hide the exhaustion etched on her face.

"Ms. Sparks, please take a seat," Rose said, masking her initial resentment toward a meeting with amember of the Schmidt family. She decided to withhold her emotions and assess the situation first."Ms. Emerson, I apologize for this sudden visit, but I desperately need your help in designing anevening gown," Clarissa pleaded. "Money is no object. I can pay you double or even triple whatothers would offer. All I ask is for your expertise. Please, I implore you!"

"Ms. Sparks, I am merely a designer. It seems excessive for you to beg," Rose remarked, noticingClarissa's trembling hand as she held her cup. It was evident she was not in a stable state of mind.Rose softened her tone. "Since establishing my workshop, I have always operated by appointmentonly. Making exceptions would disrupt our production schedule and compromise the quality of ourwork, which wouldn't be fair to our clients or our reputation. Therefore, I hope you understand—"Before Rose could finish, Clarissa sank to her knees before her.

"What are you doing, Ms. Sparks?" Rose panicked and quickly went to pull her up.

As she pulled Clarissa up, Clarissa's sleeves slid up.

Rose unintentionally caught a glimpse of a few large bruises and bloody marks on her arm.

Rose's mind reeled from the shock.

As Rose witnessed Clarissa’s distress, her thoughts drifted to her own past, where her motherendured humiliation to provide her with a better life. The haunting image of her abusive fatherflashed through her mind, a reminder of the pain her mother endured.

"I need to place an order for an evening gown. Only a masterpiece from you can surpass all others.Your designs would overshadow them all.”

Clarissa shuddered. She wanted to cry, but she was without tears. "I won't get up until you agree tohelp me."

"Please don't do this. Get up, and we'll talk.”

Despite the tumult of emotions within her, Rose composed herself. Her voice strained with emotionas she spoke, "Very well, I will help you. Please, stand up. Let me take your measurements and see ifwe have anything suitable available.”

Clarissa gripped her hand tightly. Tears filled her reddened eyes. "Thank you..."

After dismissing her staff and assistant, Rose attended to Clarissa personally, carefully taking hermeasurements. Once done, she presented three evening gowns that she believed would suitClarissa.

"How do you replace these three options, Ms. Sparks? If none are to your liking, I can certainly offermore selections," Rose offered.

But Clarissa didn't deliberate long. Hastily, she grasped a dark green dress as if afraid Rose mightretract her offer. "There's no need to trouble you further. I'll take this one. It's perfect,” she said, hervoice tight with emotion.

Rose observed Clarissa's tension with a pang of sadness. "Ready-made garments may not offer thesame fit as bespoke ones. There might be some adjustments needed. I recommend trying it on inthe fitting room for the best result. If alterations are necessary, I'll take care of it."

Clarissa hesitated briefly before she walked into the fitting room.