A little while later, I stepped out of the fitting room in a brand-new, elegant dress. The woman in the mirror

was still thin and pale, but her eyes carried a newfound calm and determination.

"Evelyn, you're stunning! You look like a goddess!" Lianne exclaimed with genuine admiration.

Even Kevin's eyes widened. "Are you sure you've just spent two years in prison? You look like you've walked straight off a runway!"

I let out a wry smile. "Stop flattering me. These two years have been nothing but easy," I said in a slightly brittle voice.

Lianne quickly stepped in to comfort me. "It's all in the past now, Evelyn. You're free now. You can do whatever you want. There'll be no more restrictions."

"Exactly," Kevin interjected with a grin. "Evelyn is a fashion queen. Prison? That was just a small blip in your story. It doesn't stop you from shining brighter than ever!"

My mood began to lighten after hearing their words of encouragement. They were right. It was all behind me now. From this moment on, I would hold my head high and reclaim my place as the admired person I

was.

"Let's hit the next store!" I declared. I felt like a different person walking out of the boutique. I exuded poise and confidence, eliminating any trace of hardship and sorrow I had endured.

We spent the next couple of hours shopping at high-end stores. Watches, jewelry, shoes, hats, designer handbags each item was exquisitely crafted and carries a statement of taste and status.

By the time we were done, it felt like we had cleared out half the mall. Of course, Kevin footed the bill for everything. He spared no expense and fulfilled all my requests.

"You're spending too much," I couldn't help but say.

"Evelyn, after all you've done for the Evelyn Studio, this is nothing," he replied with a laugh. "When you're back in your rightful position, we'll have more money than we know what to do with!"

His words touched me deeply, and I had to blink back tears. Kevin had been tirelessly supporting me for the past two years. Now that I was free, he seemed even happier than I was.

"Alright, stop getting emotional!" Lianne teased and playfully punched his shoulder. "Let's pack up and move on our next stop is a Michelin three-star restaurant!" She grabbed my hand, and together we headed to the underground parking lot.

With just a snap of Kevin's fingers, an Aston Martin Vulcan came into view. Its futuristic design, sleek curves, and mesmerizing violent paint job immediately stole the spotlight.

The aura of this ultra-luxury sports car seemed to dominate the entire parking lot. Do you like it?" Kevin asked. His face glowed with pride "This is a limited-edition Vulcan-only 24 of them in the

world. I bought it just to celebrate

your release!" noveldrama

I stood there, and my jaw dropped in disbelief. A regular Aston Martin was already exorbitantly expensive, let alone a limited-edition model.

It was clear Kevin and Lianne had spared no effort to make this day unforgettable for me. I climbed into

the car. I found myself marveling at the soft leather seats and the subtle, luxurious fragrance that filled the cabin.

Still, I couldn't resist teasing him. "Are you sure you didn't just use my release as an excuse to splurge on a new toy for yourself?"

Soon the moment Kevin stepped on the accelerator, the Aston Martin shot forward like a bolt of lightning. The twin-turbocharged engine roared to life, delivering enormous horsepower that pinned me to the seat. I gripped the seatbelt tightly, feeling a rush of adrenaline unlike anything I had experienced before.

Was it the thrill of freedom or just

two years' worth of pent-up frustration finally finding release? Before I knew it, we had arrived in the city's affluent district. We pulled up in front of a restaurant with understated yet lavish décor.

The sign above the entrance bore two words, "Eternal River" that were glowing softly under the lights.

Kevin parked the car. Like a true gentleman, he opened the door for us.

"Welcome to Eternal River. I've heard so much about you, Ms. Wiley. It's an honor to have your presence here with us today."

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!