My Bratty Wife
Chapter 189 - Hundred And Eighty Nine

Chapter 189: Chapter Hundred And Eighty Nine

"We have arrived at the modiste store, Your Grace," Noah said, gesturing towards the elegant shop with its beautifully decorated window displays.

Suzy nodded, her thoughts still lingering on the mysterious figure. "Thank you, Noah," she said, her voice soft. She stepped out of the carriage, her eyes scanning the crowd, trying to catch another glimpse of the person. She wondered who it was, and what they were doing in sneaking around the market and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had seen them before. The thought nagged at her, like a half-remembered dream. She decided to put the matter aside for now and focus on her visit to Madame Helena’s shop. She could always send Noah to investigate the situation later.

Noah waited patiently outside the shop, his gaze scanning the bustling marketplace. Inside, Suzy entered Madame Helena’s boutique, the delicate chime of the bell above the door announcing her arrival. Madame Helena, her back to the door, was carefully arranging a row of pastel-colored dresses, their soft hues catching the light.

"I’ll be with you in a minute," Madame Helena called out, her voice warm and welcoming, without turning around.

Suzy’s attention was immediately drawn to the dresses, their delicate shades and intricate floral designs captivating her. "They’re so beautiful," she thought to herself, her eyes tracing the elegant lines of the garments.

"Madame Helena," she called out, her voice clear and gentle.

Madame Helena, recognizing the familiar voice, turned around, her eyes widening in surprise. She instinctively covered her mouth with her hands, stifling a gasp. "Your Grace!!!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of shock and delight.

"It’s been so long since you’ve graced me with your presence," Madame Helena continued, her voice laced with a hint of playful reproach. "I started wondering if I had done something wrong with your dresses, that made you stop patronizing me."

Suzy laughed, a light, melodious sound. "No, it’s not that at all," she reassured Madame Helena. "I still have several of your dresses that I haven’t even worn. My closet is overflowing, so I didn’t see the need to get more."

Madame Helena let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing. "Thank goodness," she said, her voice filled with genuine relief. "I thought I had lost a potential customer."

Suzy smiled, her eyes twinkling. "No, you didn’t," she said. "I’m still here."

"Then what brings you here, Your Grace?" Madame Helena asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I have an event coming up," Suzy replied, her gaze drifting back to the pastel dresses. "And I need a special gown for the occasion."

"What would you like?" Madame Helena asked, her eyes following Suzy’s gaze.

Suzy pointed to one of the pastel dresses, a delicate shade of lavender. "That one," she said, her voice filled with quiet admiration.

Madame Helena’s eyes lit up. "An excellent choice, Your Grace," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. She carefully retrieved the dress, holding it up for Suzy to admire. "The color will complement your complexion beautifully."

She then proceeded to take Suzy’s measurements, making a few minor adjustments to the dress to ensure a perfect fit. Suzy watched, her eyes filled with appreciation for Madame Helena’s skill and artistry.

Once the adjustments were complete, Suzy paid for the gown, her fingers lingering on the soft fabric. She carefully carried the dress out of the shop, her heart filled with anticipation for the upcoming event. She was certain that she would look stunning in the gown. She also thought that Ryan would love to see her in it.

She bid Madame Helena good bye as she opened the door making the bell chime again. Noah took the boxes from Suzy, his movements swift and respectful. He opened the carriage door for her, assisting her as she stepped inside. "We’ll head home now, Sir," he said to the driver, who nodded and urged the horses forward. He then climbed into the carriage, settling opposite Suzy.

As the carriage began to move, Suzy’s expression turned serious, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I’m being watched ," she said, her voice low and firm. "Find out who it is."

Noah nodded, his expression unwavering. "Certainly, Your Grace," he replied. "I’ll see to it immediately."

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, a man, his face obscured by the dark hues of the room, was relaying information to Eleanor. "She went to the modiste store," he reported, his voice hushed. "That’s all she did today, after leaving the chateau."

Eleanor, reclining on a plush chaise lounge, took a long puff from her hookah, the fragrant smoke swirling around her. She exhaled slowly, her eyes narrowed. "Keep up the good work," she said, her voice laced with a cold, dismissive tone.

The man, however, seemed uneasy. "I think she saw me," he confessed, his voice trembling slightly.

Eleanor paused, the hookah still held to her lips, her eyes hardening. "What?" she asked, her voice sharp and dangerous.

The man became speechless, his eyes wide with fear. Eleanor’s patience snapped. She rose from the chaise lounge, her movements swift and violent, and delivered two sharp slaps to the man’s face. He recoiled, his cheek stinging, his eyes filled with terror.

"Did she recognize you?" Eleanor demanded, her voice a low, menacing growl, as she grabbed his shirt in her fist.

"No, she didn’t," he stammered, his voice trembling. "I work as a gardener at the chateau, and we haven’t met eye to eye. I doubt she knows who I am."

Eleanor’s grip loosened slightly, a cruel smile twisting her lips. "Okay then. Very good," she said, her voice dripping with false praise. She then released his shirt abruptly, sending him staggering back. He slowly massaged his stinging cheek, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Does my reward still stand?" the man asked, his voice laced with a mixture of fear and greed.

Eleanor ignored his pain, continuing to smoke her hookah, her eyes gleaming with amusement. She loved the way greed could manipulate and control people. "Yes," she replied, her voice dismissive. "In fact, if you do a very good job, I’ll triple the salary the Duke pays you."

The man’s eyes lit up, his fear momentarily forgotten in the face of such a lucrative offer. He smiled, the sting of the slaps fading into insignificance. "Thank you, my lady," he said, his voice filled with a new found enthusiasm. He turned and left the room, his footsteps eager.

Eleanor chuckled, a low, cruel sound that echoed in the empty room. She watched the smoke curl towards the ceiling, her eyes filled with a dark satisfaction. She knew that she could control anyone with the right bait, and she was more than willing to use that knowledge to achieve her goals.