But then, what was up with this invite?
âForgery is indeed concerning. Weâll do as you suggested, Sean, and send her to the police station,â
Alyssa instructed.
âYes, Ms. Alyssa.â Sean nodded, He turned to the guards and instructed, âTake her away!â
âWhy? I didnât commit any crime!â Brie cried, her face turning an ugly shade of red. She then pointed to Tatiana.
âIf you want to take me away, then she should be coming with me! She shouldnât be here in the first place, given her status!â
Tatiana was about to retort when Alyssa beat her to it, asking slowly, âOh? What do you mean by that?
Why canât she be here?â
âSheâs my classmate! I know her better than anyone else here!â Brie had always been someone who tossed others under the bus, even when she was in trouble.
âShe would never get an invitation for this event tonight! Your secretary must have snuck her in! I can leave, but she has to too!â
âTaty, is this woman really your classmate?â Alyssa asked softly, going to Tatianaâs side and gently holding her shoulder.
Brieâs gaped in shock.
What was going on? Why were Alyssa Taylor and Tatiana so close?
âYes, Lyse.â Tatiana knew it was futile to hide her identity any longer. Her head lowered in guilt. âIâm so sorry for causing you all this trouble. Itâs all my fault.â
âSilly girl, I donât find this troublesome in the least bit. In fact, I would be worried if you didnât ask for help.
What would a sister like me be good for otherwise?â Alyssa gently pinched Tatianaâs cheek.
Feeling numb as she stared at Alyssa and Tatiana, Brie asked, âIs Tatiana⦠your sister? For real?â
Alyssa hugged Tatiana, sneering, âOf course she is. Why do you think her last name is Taylor?â
A low buzzing sound filled Brieâs mind.
Her legs wobbled weakly beneath her. The next thing she knew, she had crumpled onto the floor.
Tatiana⦠was from the Taylor family?
This woman, who had been subjected to bullying and harassment at Solana Film Academy⦠was Winston Taylorâs daughter?
âTonightâs birthday celebration is meant for my fatherâs third wife, Lyla. Lyla happens to be Tatianaâs mother, so in a way, this entire night is meant for both Tatiana and her mother. The same goes for all of our guests.
âYet you barged in here with your fake invitation, insulted my secretary when we stopped you, and humiliated my sister in the process.
âBased on those actions alone, Ms. Caldwell, I have sufficient grounds to sue you for defamation.â
Alyssaâs tone was icy as she gazed at Brie, her eyes boiling with dark fury.
Her words struck Brie like lightning.
âLyseâ¦â Tatianaâs words caught in her throat as she gazed tearfully at Alyssa.
Brieâs face was flushed red. It felt like Alyssa had slapped her with her words.
âTake her away. Now!â Sean ordered coldly, no longer wanting to waste his time with Brie.
âMr. Josh was the one who gave me this invitation, Ms. Alyssa! I didnât know it was fake!â Brie had no choice but to use this card at the very last second to defend herself.
âMr. Josh is here tonight too. You can ask him yourself to verify what I said!â
Both Tatiana and Sean looked at Alyssa at the same time.
Alyssa was smiling like the cat who had caught the canary. She secretly snapped her fingers.
Finally! She had waited all night for Brie to toss Josh under the bus!