His sneering gaze made Joann falter.


    She had no idea about the dress’s storied past.


    Feeling the eyes of everyone on her, she felt as though she was under intense scrutiny.


    Yet, unwilling to concede, she clenched her teeth and persisted, “I acquired this dress through a broker.


    Perhaps… perhaps they deceived me.


    ”


    Her voice wavered with uncertainty.


    Niki, unyielding, pressed further, “Then I suggest you summon this broker.


    I do not permit middlemen to sell my designs, nor do I tolerate forgeries.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    ”


    Under the critical gaze of the onlookers, Joann’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.


    Left with no other option, she dialed the number, but there was no connection.


    Trying once more, she discovered the number was now disconnected.


    With the mechanical tone echoing in her ear, Joann fought to keep her emotions in check and muttered, “It’s not going through…”


    It seemed to Joann that even in the shadows, someone was disdainfully rolling their eyes at her.


    Her instincts kicking in, she clenched her fists tightly.


    Noticing her distress, Niki quickly decided, “Let’s have someone take care of this dress situation.


    ”


    Joann’s expression shifted drastically.


    She gripped her sleeves and protested, “No!”


    The thought alone terrified her: her engagement party would be a disaster, and she would be the butt of


    every joke from then on.


    ‘s BunnyBookery


    Desperately, Joann attempted to reason with Niki.


    “I had no idea the dress was a counterfeit.


    I’m not to me here.


    It’s still a beautiful dress, genuine or not.


    Doesn’t that count for something?”


    Niki disregarded her plea, responding only with a derisive snort.


    Frustrated, Joann turned to Ste and demanded, “Why are you just standing there? You know him, right? Help me convince him.


    ”


    Ste furrowed her brow, puzzled by Joann’s behavior.


    Lindsay joined in, urging Ste, “It’s Joann’s engagement night.


    Since you’re acquainted with Mr.


    Todd, perhaps you could extend some help to ensure the evening proceeds without a hitch.


    ”


    “Niki’s right here,” Ste said straightforwardly, finding the situation funny.


    “If you need to say something, tell him yourself.


    Why involve me?”


    Lindsay was taken aback by Ste’s straightforward approach.


    “But you’re much closer to Mr.


    Todd than I am,” she countered, her voiceced with a feigned helplessness.


    “If you could just persuade him, he’d surely agree.


    It would spare us all this awkwardness.


    Can’t you help us out?”


    Lindsay’s desperate pleas and pitiful expression made Ste seem like the viin there.


    Observers would think Ste had been bullying her the entire time.


    Ste’s eyes narrowed slightly, and for a fleeting moment, she felt as if the Lindsay before her was a stranger.


    Turning her gaze away, Ste responded coldly, “This is Niki’s decision to make, and I have to honor that.


    Even if he did listen to me, once this is all over, who would get the credit? You or me?”


    Her gaze intense, Ste seemed to be trying to pierce through Lindsay’s facade.


    Her intentions seen through, Lindsay found herself at a loss for words.


    She had assumed Ste,ing from modest beginnings, would prefer discretion.


    She never expected Ste’s resistance.