Chapter 40
Donald was so furious he almost wanted to rip Theodora’s mouth off. He thought, “How could this woman be so venomous? It is clear she has a malicious streak.”
Bui Theodora wasn’t ready to give up. Steeling herself, she said, “Mr. Menzie, I promise I’m not trying to deceive you…”
Joanna, seeing the scene unfold, gently tugged on Donald’s sleeve, shaking her head slightly.
Donald held back his anger but still felt a deep frustration bubbling inside.
Joanna shot Theodora a cold glance and asked with quiet disdain, “What’s the matter? Still have the energy to spout nonsense?”
Margot, overhearing this, feigned an apology. Joanna, I’m sorry. Actually, Theodora was just trying to help. She believes your dress is a knockoff and wanted to warn you.”
It seemed Margot was trying to steer the conversation back to the dress, clearly worried people would forget about it. And sure enough, the crowd picked up on it again.
Joanna wasn’t interested in making a scene, but Margot was pushing her hand.
“You say my dress is fake? Do you have any proof?” Joanna asked, her voice level and unbothered.
“I paid for it, and I have the receipt, Margot answered, trying to sound innocent.
“Sorry, I have those too,” Joanna replied coolly. “And if you’re a true Miracle Brand fan, you’d know that they use hand–embroidered gold–thread lace in their dresses. Take a look at yours–does it have it?”.
Joanna’s words hit home, and a wave of uncase washed over Margot. She thought, ‘Could Joanna actually be right? Is she telling the truth?”
Margot was a big fan of luxury brands, but she had no idea about the specific details of their collections. Hearing Joanna talk so confidently, she felt completely out of her depth.
The crowd, however, was intrigued. It seemed there was more to this dress than met the eye, and they couldn’t wait to see if Margot’s dress had the gold–thread lace that Joanna mentioned.
Margot, now red with embarrassment and anger, snapped, “Joanna, what are you even talking about?”
Joanna pressed her lips together, radiating an undeniable aura of authority. There was something inherently noble about her presence that commanded attention.
“If I’m lying, you can always have it verified, can’t you?” Joanna said, her tone calm, with no hint of doubt.
Margor wanted to refuse, but with so many eyes on her, she couldn’t just say “no.” If it turned out Joanna was right, she’d be left looking foolish. Mayler Joanna was bluffing, but her confidence was hard to ignore.
The two women agreed to let a respected elder at the event inspect their dresses. Everyone gathered in a side rooin, eager to watch the drama unfold
The crowd buzzed with anticipation.
When they returned, the look on everyone’s face told the story.
The elder spoke up, confrming that Margot’s dress did not contain the gold–thread lace. Margot tried to argue, but before she could, someone in the crowd had already double–checked with Miracle Brand directly.
It turned out to be true. The high end, custom–made dresses from Miracle Brand used a special grade of gold–thread lace, which gave the fabric a golden shumer wader the lights.
The whispers around them p grew louder
“No way, Marpot is wearing a knockoff? She’s a dancer for crying out loud. How could she be so tacky?”
Hide? So embarrassing! If she couldn’t afford the real thi
| thing, she could’ve bought from a different brand. Honestly, I’ve lost all respect for her.”
Exartly thought she was a platenia, but turn out just a litle sparrow with delusions of grandeur”
The comments kepi coming, rach one sharper than the last. It was as
crowd was determined to tear Margot down.
Chapter 40
was on the verge of a meltdown her face flushed with humiliation. Each word felt like a dagger, and tears streamed down her face
“No, no, I really spent a lot of money on thist It’s not a knockoff!” Margot sobbed, trying to earn some sympathy, but no one was paying her any
Turning to Howell, she pleaded, “Howell, you believe me, don’t you! I didn’t buy a fake. I really spent the money on this. It must be Joanna trying frame me out of jealousy She’s just getting revenge”
She expected Howell to defend her, but instead, he didn’t say a word, not even sparing her a glance.
to
The truth was, he had been quietly observing the whole situation, and Joanna’s arguments were so solid that there was nothing to refute
Now, his eyes were locked on Janina. She was talking to Donald, and their interaction seemed more than just casual–there was an unspoken tension between them that made Howell’s blood boil with jealousy.
At the same time, a thought kept nagging at him. “What other surprises does Joanna have in store? Lately, she’d been showing him sides of herself that he never expected, and it was impossible to ignore.
Meanwhile, Theodora, seeing Howell’s cold dismissal of Margot, couldn’t stand it. She rushed to comfort her
“Margot, it’s okay. I’m sure there’s been some misunderstanding. Don’t worry, I believe you. Let’s go fix your makeup. It’s still early, and there’s
She whimpered into Margot’s car with a knowing, secret
- IK. secretive smile.
ager to avoid further embarrassment, decided to take a step back. She followed Theodora out of the room.
With that, the drama seemed to die down for the moment, and the crowd began to disperse, gossiping quietly.
Once Donald finished talking to Joanna, he turned and saw Howell still staring at her, Joanna frowned slightly, sensing the tension.
Donald was quickly pulled away by the event organizers, who had business with him. He gave Joanna a few last instructions before leaving. Joanna suddenly felt a pang of hunger, probably because of her pregnancy. She was always starving these days.
about to grab a bite, Howell stepped into her path.
“Joanna, you really have some nerve. First it was Philip, now Donald. Your methods just keep getting sneakier, Howell said coldly, his voice dripping with sarcasm,
“Oh please. You flatter me, Joanna replied, already knowing what he was implying. But she couldn’t be bothered to explain. She thought, ‘We are no longer involved, so what is the print?
even wonder who Donald is? He’s been in the entertainment world, mixing with all sorts of prople. He’s a notorious playboy–wild and reckles. What makes you think he’d have any interest in your” Howell’s voice dripped with disdain.
Joanna stared at him, completely baffled.
She theought. What is his deal new? She couldn’t make sense of his behavior. He was the one who wanted the divorce, so why is he sticking his nose
grouping behind her back like some meddlesome old woman. It was absurd.
“You’d better stay away from him and remember your place, Howell added, his words harsh.
Joanna stuurbed, her voice cool and unapologetic “Mr. Buckley, who I choose to like is none of your business. I like men with charm and right-
