She turned her head around and felt speechless when she saw the young man hugging the corner of her skirt while sobbing. However, looking at the dirty footprint on her beautiful dress, she too found it quite a pity as she felt that something nice had been tainted.
The reporter who trampled on the skirt was baffled; he just sat on the floor with a puzzled look.
What is going on? Where am I? Who am I? Why is Kenny crying while hugging a replica? Could it be that this replica is actually something valuable?
Joel strode toward them at once. The Harper Family naturally followed behind him, together with the large crowd of people.
Kenny suddenly wiped away his tears and grabbed the reporter who had just trampled the skirt. While gripping the corner of his shirt, he roared, âDo you know how hard it is to make this gown? Do you know how hard it is to embroider on mulberry silk, which is extremely thin, by hand? There are 108 jewels in total, and you need to string them up and combine them together with the gown. Do you know how many times L/K failed and ruined the material before we managed to even produce one piece?
There are only 5 gowns in the whole world, and we are proud of every single piece of them! We have invested lots of blood, sweat and tears into them, so every single piece is my treasure! From where did you get the courage to step on my treasure with your feet?â
The reporter was made dumbfounded by his bawl. His expression transitioned from being puzzled to pale, and then his whole face turned crimson. âI-Iââ he stuttered.
Stanley immediately tried his best to separate Kenny away from the reporter while consoling him, âItâs alright. Ken, stop crying!â
With his teeth gritted, Kenny pointed at the reporter while barely holding back his urge to charge at him and break his legs. âWhich publisher are you from? Let me tell you something. You are in deep trouble!
Youâve dug your own grave! L/K wonât let you off easily!â
The crowd gathered around them and slowly understood what had happened. It was no wonder that Kenny was so furiousâhis product had been stepped by someone. Anyone would have gone mad if they saw this. On top of that, this âMoonlight in an Ancient Wellâ was fully handmade, which made it extremely precious!
However, the gown on Sophia was clearly a high-quality replica!
When Richard found out about the incident, he quickly came over to retrieve the situation. âMr. Blair, stay calm. This is just a high-quality replica!â
Unexpectedly, Kenny snapped at him, âHigh-quality replica? Are you saying that the daughter that I personally gave out was a replica?â
Richard reminded him kindly, âBased on this ladyâs net worth, she certainly canât afford to purchase âMoonlight in an Ancient Wellâ.â
When âMoonlight in an Ancient Wellâ was newly released by L/K, Kayla and Xyla both had their eyes on this piece of gown, but they didnât manage to secure one. All available stocks had been booked by others as there were only 5 sets in the whole world. The Harper Family had intended to raise their price to purchase two of them, but the price they had offered were outmatched by the others, so they had no choice but to give up on them.
Therefore, he was sure Sophia definitely couldnât afford to have one.
Nevertheless, upon hearing Richardâs âkindâ words, Kenny sneered. He pointed at the gown on her and enunciated, âThis is not a high-quality fake. This is the limited-edition evening gown that L/K has just released during the autumn this year. There are only 5 sets in the whole world. I know how each piece looks like; I know them well, just like how I know my daughter. Do you think that I wouldnât know if it was a fake?â
Richard looked at Sophia, baffled. The latter was impassive, looking like a goddess under the glimmer of moonlight.
So the gown on her is actually not a fake? This is a limited-edition gown. Itâs impossible that she was able to purchase such an expensive gown that even the Harper Family couldnât get a hold of! Could it be that she rented the gown? For 5,000 per day?
Kenny had gone completely mad as he continued to grab the reporter. âStepping on my gown is like stepping on my daughter! Iâm going to beat you to death!â
The two of them were at the verge of a fistfight, and Stanley couldnât separate them. There were also a few famous designers from L/K who came. Upon seeing their product being trampled, they charged toward the reporters to fight with them, and a few security guards instantly rushed forward to help. The scene was chaotic.
Looking at the chaos, Sophia picked up the corner of her skirt to take a look at it regretfully before sighing.
When Kayla, who was standing next to Joel, saw the chaotic scene, she pretended to be afraid and cuddled up to him flirtatiously. âJoel, Iâm scaredââ
However, there was no one next to her as Joel had already strode toward the center of the chaos. He glanced at the two people, who were in the middle of a fight, and then at the bunch of reporters and bodyguards in a mess, before quietly ordering his deputy officer. A brief moment later, a group of armed soldiers charged in, and in the blink of an eye, the chaotic situation was put under control.
The group of soldiers dashed in and out like a gust of wind, dragging out the bunch of reporters along with them. The whole world was now finally quiet.
Kenny was still hugging Stanley while crying his eyes out. âMy daughter! My Moonlight!â
Stanley felt very embarrassed, but he still stroked his head. âKen, calm down. Calm down!â
When Young Master Fletcher took action, there would be nothing he couldnât deal with! Kayla looked at him in delight, and her heart was racing.
Joel must be in love with me, so he took action to stop the chaos! After all, today is my birthday banquet!
Upon having such thoughts, she lifted a corner of her skirt and ran toward him joyfully. âJoel!â
However, Kayla was disappointed again. Joel took two steps forward and walked up to Sophia while observing her looks today in a serious manner. During the messy situation just now, she didnât seem anxious. She looked different from the dirty and messy appearance she had when she was in military training. Currently, she looked noble and elegant, just like a white swan slowly spreading its wings and showing off its beauty under the moonlight. She seemed to be emitting gold light with an enchanting beauty that would make people fall in a daze.
Sophia stared at him in puzzlement. Why did he come to me? Is he going to say something to me?
Whatâs he going to say? The lives of the upper-class society are so messed-up, so I need to protect myself!
She broke the silence. âHello, General!â
Joel hummed in response. He cast a glance at Stanley, who was consoling his âsonâ, and asked, âIs your gown still intact?â His voice was unbelievingly gentle, which was totally different from the serious expression he had on earlier.
Kaylaâs hasty but excited footstep came to a sudden halt, and she stared at the scene in disbelief.
How dare a wild chick like Sophia talk to Joel?
Feeling disgruntled, she dashed toward them and hugged Joelâs arm, pretending that she was close to him. âJoel!â
Before Joel said anything, Stanley was pissed off. He pushed aside his âsonâ, who was crying bitterly, and walked up to her angrily. âHey! Watch where you are placing your hand! Move!â
Stanley pushed Kayla away and stood next to Joel. He then smiled and put on a stern expression.
âHello, General.â
Joel didnât even cast him a look as his eyes were focused on Sophia. He found the large, dark footprint on her impeccable dress an eyesore, and there was even a crushed jewel. He asked, âDo you need me to get someone to fix your dress?â
Sophia resoundingly replied to him, âGeneral, thank you for your concern. The gown is all good. Itâll be alright after I wash it when I get home and get L/K to replace it with a jewel of the same kind!â
Joel nodded. âOkay.â
He then caressed Nathan, who had been quietly standing next to Sophia and staring wide-eyed at him.
The Harper Family and all the guests looked at one another in puzzlement.
Whatâs the relationship between Sophia and Joel? Why did Joel speak so gently to her? Wasnât he here for Kayla? But why is it that he didnât talk to Kayla, but he talked to Sophia instead?
The scene fell into a fleeting silence. Everyone stared at Joel and Sophia while intermittently glancing at one another.
Joel stroked Nathanâs little head before he spoke to Sophia, âYou are the only student with a perfect score in Bayside University this year. Iâve promised to have dinner together with you. Does what happened today considered as keeping my promise?â