CHAPTER 114: THE MOMENT HIS EYES LANDED ON HER

Meanwhile, Denovan walked slowly along the gravel path beside one of the guards, his polished shoes crunching softly against the stones.

His hands were clasped neatly behind his back, a picture of quiet leisure.

The late afternoon light bathed the estate in a honey-gold glow, turning the rose beds into swathes of molten gold and deep crimson.

A breeze drifted through, carrying the faint perfume of the blooms, mingling with the earthy scent of freshly watered soil.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the far wing of the mansion, where tall windows gleamed faintly.

"Best to leave them be," he murmured, his voice low but with the calm authority of someone used to being obeyed.

His eyes shifted back to the path ahead, yet the faintest curve of a knowing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "They deserve a day without interruptions."

The guard beside him nodded in agreement, his expression unreadable beneath the shadow of his cap.

Together, they continued toward the glasshouse, where the sunlight struck the panes like shards of amber.

Denovan’s footsteps slowed slightly, as if savoring the stillness of the hour, while the guard maintained a respectful half-step behind.

Somewhere in the distance, the muffled hum of voices and faint laughter from the spa wing drifted across the gardens, soon swallowed by the rustle of leaves overhead

---

Lisa leaned back in her chair, one ankle crossing over the other, the faint scent of floral oils from the treatments still lingering in the air.

He tilted his head toward the corridor where Julie had disappeared earlier with one of the salon girls.

"So... who is that young lady you brought in today?" His tone was casual, but there was a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.

Lisa’s lips curved, her gaze softening ever so slightly. "Mm," she hummed, pretending to take her time.

Then, with a light chuckle, she answered, "I will soon be a grand-grandma."

The man blinked, pausing mid-stir. "Grand-grandma?"

Lisa raised an eyebrow in mock offense. "Yes, you heard me. Though don’t twist your head trying to figure it out. It simply means she’s special enough for me to start thinking about the next generation already." Her voice held a note of pride that made the man grin.

He smirked. "Ah, so that’s why you’re glowing today. You’re in a good mood."

Lisa gave a small shrug, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her. "Perhaps I am."

---

Inside the quiet fitting room, Julie smoothed her palms down the silk as if coaxing the gown to reveal its full grace.

The fabric whispered against her skin—cool, almost weightless—yet it carried a certain presence, as though it had been made for moments where eyes would follow her.

She took a slow breath, steadying herself, before her fingers curled around the handle and she stepped out.

The door opened with a soft click.

The young salon attendant waiting outside froze mid-breath. Her eyes widened first—bright and startled—then softened into something almost reverent, as if she’d just witnessed a painting step down from its frame.

"Oh..." she breathed, a sound so small it barely made it past her lips.

Her gaze swept from the delicate neckline down to the gown’s trailing hem, her expression carrying a mixture of admiration and disbelief.

Julie blinked at the silence, a faint heat rising to her cheeks. "Is it... alright?"

The young woman seemed to remember herself, straightened quickly, and offered an eager smile.

"More than alright. Please—come, let’s show Madam Lisa." She stepped aside, leading Julie down the short hallway.

When they entered the main fitting room, the rest of the salon staff—three women in matching black uniforms—turned their heads almost in unison. Their chatter faded instantly, replaced by soft, impressed murmurs. One of them, still holding a tray of accessories, tilted her head in open admiration.

Lisa’s eyes lit up the second she saw her. She rose slightly from her seat, her hand resting on the armrest as her gaze swept over Julie from head to toe.

"Oh, Julie..." Lisa’s voice was warm, almost indulgent. "Roman must have been blessed by every star in the sky to end up with you." Her smile deepened, not just in approval but in genuine affection. "If he sees you in that, I swear, the man might forget how to breathe."

Julie’s cheeks flushed at the comment, and the salon girls exchanged delighted, knowing glances.

Lisa clapped her hands once, decisive. "Alright. Let’s see the next gown—just to compare. I want to make sure we pick the one that makes Roman’s heart stop completely."

---

Julie’s lips curved in a soft, almost embarrassed smile at Lisa’s words, but her cheeks warmed all the same.

Roman’s heart stopping completely... she could already imagine his deep gaze when he saw her.

She gave a tiny nod and followed the young salon assistant who had been waiting patiently near the doorway.

The hallway leading to the changing room was faintly perfumed—floral, yet not overpowering.

The assistant, a bright-eyed girl with her hair tucked neatly into a low bun, glanced back at Julie with a spark of admiration that she didn’t bother to hide.

"This next gown..." she murmured in a conspiratorial tone, "it’s one of my favorites. I think Madam Lisa will love it even more than the first."

Julie stepped into the quiet room alone, the door clicking softly behind her. The air felt cooler here, a subtle contrast to the lively warmth of the main space.

She carefully slipped out of the first gown, laying it over the cushioned bench like one would set down something fragile, then eased herself into the second dress the assistant had prepared.

The fabric whispered against her skin, falling in clean, elegant lines that seemed to mold perfectly to her figure without effort.

She smoothed her hands over the sides, and her breath caught—this gown was different. It was quieter, but in that quietness lay a certain power.

When she finally opened the door, the assistant’s eyes widened instantly.

"Oh..." the girl exhaled, as if the sight had stolen her breath. Her lips parted in an involuntary smile, and she stepped back just enough to take in the whole view.

"You look..." She shook her head lightly. "Honestly, Miss Julie, if he doesn’t faint when he sees you in this, then he isn’t human."

Julie’s shy laugh escaped before she could stop it.

The assistant led her back toward the main salon, where the other girls—each in matching neat uniforms—were arranging accessories on a long table.

Some paused mid-task, their gazes inevitably following Julie as she passed.

There was no envy in their eyes, only that quiet, shared awe women have when beauty walks into the room effortlessly.

Lisa’s gaze found Julie the second she stepped in.

Her eyes lit up, and the corners of her lips curled in approval before she even spoke.

"My goodness..." she said, drawing out the words like she needed the extra seconds to truly take her in.

She rose from her chair, her jewelry catching the light as she approached.

"Roman really does have luck written in his stars. Look at you—elegant, graceful... and in this gown, you’re every inch the woman who could make him forget how to breathe."

Lisa circled once, inspecting without a hint of malice, her expression more like that of a jeweler admiring a flawless stone.

"This one," she said, her tone thoughtful yet warm, "has something the first didn’t. I can’t decide yet... but you make my job very, very difficult, Julie."

Julie’s lashes lowered slightly, heat rising to her cheeks under the weight of Lisa’s praise.

---

The salon girl led Julie back once more, this time carrying a gown that was utterly different from the rest—deep sapphire, with intricate beadwork that caught every flicker of light.

Julie slipped into it slowly, her hands smoothing down the skirt. Something about the rich color made her feel... daring.

When she stepped out of the changing room, the young woman waiting outside blinked in surprise, her voice coming out in a quiet gasp.

"You... you look royal," she said, almost reverently.

Julie gave a soft smile, following her toward the main salon room.

The moment she stepped through the archway, the soft hum of conversation from the stylists and attendants seemed to dim, as though the air itself had paused to take her in.

Light poured from the tall windows, scattering across the sapphire beadwork so each movement of her skirt sent a ripple of shimmer through the room.

The fragrance of fresh flowers drifted faintly from the arrangement by the mirrors, mingling with the faint scent of expensive hair products.

Julie’s heartbeat picked up, not because of the gown, but because she felt eyes following her—assessing, admiring—though she wasn’t used to being the center of such attention.

And then—

The main door to the salon opened with a soft chime.

It wasn’t loud, but the shift in the atmosphere was instant. Heads turned. A few whispers flitted like moths before dying away into silence.

Roman stood there.

Tall. Dark suit perfectly tailored. The faint gleam of his cufflinks caught the light, but it was his gaze that made everything else blur.

His eyes found her instantly, locking onto her as though nothing and no one else in the room existed.

Julie’s steps faltered mid-way across the room, the gown’s rich skirt whispering against the polished floor.

Roman didn’t move at first—just let his gaze trail slowly over her, unhurried, deliberate, making the space between them feel charged.

The corner of his mouth curved in the faintest smile, one that was equal parts approval and possession.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low but carried easily, resonating in quite.