Sophia gripped the zipper and tugged with all her strength.

Amanda sucked in her breath as deeply as possible, but the zipper refused to budge no matter what they tried.

"It's useless, Amanda," Sophia declared, her voice laced with exhaustion and defeat.

"That can't be right! My waist is tiny!" Amanda's frustration was boiling over.

She couldn't bear the thought of the smug look Elise would give her if she failed to get into this dress. Such humiliation was unacceptable!

"It won't go. I'm going to break it if I keep forcing it."

"Then break it! Just pull harder!"

"Elise will know it's broken! She'll absolutely demand you pay for it!"

"She'll make me pay for it anyway!" Amanda snarled through clenched teeth.

Sophia, however, had a sudden, clever idea. "Wait a second. If you can't get it on with your figure, then Elise definitely can't either. If neither of you can wear it, she has no grounds to make you pay."

Amanda considered this for a moment, then saw the logic. "Help me get this thing off."

"Okay."

With their new plan formed, the two women exited the fitting room.

Elise was seated on a plush couch in the VIP area, casually sharing some snacks with James.

She glanced up as they approached, a faint, mocking smile playing on her lips.

Amanda, suppressing her rage, issued a challenge. "I couldn't get the dress on, Elise Scott. But that doesn't mean you can either! You put it on! If it fits you, I'll buy it for you!"

Elise didn't respond verbally. She simply continued to slowly eat a crisp, then lifted her coffee cup and took a long, deliberate sip.

Amanda's face darkened with fury.

She had tried everything, even holding her breath, and still couldn't wear the dress. And here was Elise, calmly eating as if she didn't have a care in the world?

Finally, Elise dabbed her lips with a napkin. She instructed James to be a good boy and wait outside for a moment. Then, she rose and swept into the fitting room.

Just then, Samuel arrived at the boutique.

"Samuel." Sophia hurried over to him.

Amanda looked surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I texted him," Sophia quickly explained. "You were arguing with my sister, and I was worried she was setting a trap for you. She was being so unreasonable, so I thought it was best to call him."

Amanda wasn't afraid of Elise, but she appreciated Sophia's apparent concern for her wellbeing.

In truth, Sophia wasn't worried about Amanda at all. She just wanted Samuel to witness Elise in a heated argument, further solidifying his negative opinion of her.

The fitting room curtains suddenly swished open.

All eyes turned towards the sound, and everyone froze, utterly stunned.

Elise stood there, fully clad in the exquisite white gown, shimmering with diamonds. The dress hugged her form flawlessly, not a single inch out of place. It accentuated her stunning, curvaceous figure with such effortless elegance that it was impossible to look away.

No! This couldn't be happening!

Amanda refused to believe what she was seeing. How could Elise look so utterly perfect and natural in that dress?

Sophia was equally incredulous.

Elise always wore severe business attire, which made her look professional but concealed her true shape. Sophia never imagined her stepsister possessed such a dangerously alluring figure.

Samuel found himself completely captivated by Elise. Having never been physically close to her, he'd had no idea her body was so perfectly sculpted, the kind that could make any man's resolve crumble.

Sophia had to sharply tug his arm to snap him out of his trance. He awkwardly tried to avert his gaze.

"Mommy! You look so beautiful!" James exclaimed loudly, his young voice echoing the unspoken thought in everyone's mind.