Chapter 40. Stick Close

Vanessa's POV

"Where is the dress I sent you?" Mr. Garcia asked again, his tone sharp and unyielding.

My heart stuttered. He sent me a dress? No—this had to be some kind of mistake. All I’d received was this plain waitress uniform.

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. “That’s what was delivered to me,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Mr. Garcia’s expression flickered—confusion, irritation, and something else I couldn’t decipher.

Louisa’s mocking laughter echoed in my mind, her smug expression flashing before me. It didn’t take much to piece it together—she had to be behind this. But why? What had I done to deserve this? I might have slapped Mr. Garcia and broken his car, which landed me a job here, but what had I done to her? I didn’t even know her.

Realizing I might have misunderstood him, I tried to speak, “I—”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath before turning back to me with his