Chapter 5:
Adelinaâs face had turned pale, as if she had been laid bare before everyone. Neither Liam nor Averie knew much about design. The family business had thrived mainly because of Liamâs mother, Laura Gill, who had a sharp eye for fashion.
After Laura stepped back, the famous designer Moonlight had reached the Gills, and Liam and Averie had left the creative side to the professionals.
Liam and Averie hadnât expected Adelinaâs supposedly great design talent to be just a collection of stolen ideas.
At that moment, Liam felt completely let down and frustrated as the Gill familyâs reputation had just been dragged through the mud.
Harlee was done with the drama. She casually slung her bag over her shoulder and turned to walk away. The guests observed Harleeâs straight-backed and composed figure as she departed, and the room buzzed with hushed conversation.
âWell, it seems Harlee really understood fashion design.
Compared to Adelina, the plagiarist, Harlee is clearly way ahead.â
âIt seems like the Gills swapped a diamond for a rock.
Hereâs a joke for you: Adelina Gill, the genius designer.â
The guestsâ comments were like daggers, each one cutting into Adelinaâs heart, leaving painful wounds that throbbed with every word spoken.
Hatred toward Harlee boiled inside Adelina as she caught Liamâs disappointed expression and Averieâs shocked face.
gⱯlnÏνð®âsï¹ðoðº is where stories live
Adelina never anticipated that Harlee actually understood fashion design and would expose her plagiarism in front of everyone. Now, everyone in high society in Adenarora laughed at her. It was all Harleeâs fault!
With clear evidence of her plagiarism on display for all to see, Adelina bitterly realized that trying to defend herself would only make matters worse. She gritted her teeth, forced down her anger, and hurried after Harlee.
When Adelina rushed to the exit, she spotted Harlee dragging her suitcase alone, with no intention of hailing a taxi. This sight eased some of Adelinaâs fury.
Adelina sneered.
âHarlee, donât tell me you canât even pay for a cab now? Why not come back in, apologize to the guests, and tell them that you slipped those designs into my sketchbook? If you do that, Iâll get a car to take you home. Sound good?â Her tone was unmistakably condescending, taunting Harlee on purpose.
Liam caught up and glanced at Harlee with a complicated expression.
âHarlee, we canât let Adelinaâs reputation be tarnished like this. If you agree to take the blame for Adelina, I promise Iâll arrange a car for you.â
âLiam, why waste your breath on this heartless brat? Even before her departure, she aims to ruin Adelina! Harlee, listen up! If you donât go back and take the blame, I swear Iâll make you pay!â Averie chimed in, her face lighting up at Adelinaâs proposal.
Harlee turned around and silently watched her former family making this unreasonable demand with such shamelessness.
Her eyes grew icy, and she gave them one long, final look. Then, she brushed her hair, caressed the hidden camera in her earring, and turned to walk away without saying a word. Sheâd had enough of this farce.
At Harleeâs steadfast stance, Averieâs face turned red with anger.
âThis wicked woman! How could she be so vile, watching Adelinaâs reputation go down? Guards, seize her! Adelinaâs reputation is on the line because of her!â
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