Chapter 104
My Mute Bride
As Gloria hated seeing the two, she dragged Rachel and walked away. âLetâs go.â
Rip! Just then, a sound pierced between the quartet.
âAh!â Amber screamed. âGosh, Tina-your dress!â
Unfortunately, it was already too late by the time Rachel realized it. Her heel had been on Tinaâs dress right then, tearing the white lace apart with an accidental step and causing a big hole in her outfit.
âYou did that on purpose, didnât you?!â Tina exclaimed, her face filled with fury.
Meanwhile, Rachel hastily stepped aside. At that moment, they heard another ripping sound. It turned out that her heel was stuck in the hole she had just made on Tinaâs dress, and Rachel ended up enlarging the hole as she jerked her leg away, and it seemed rather ridiculous.
Iâm sorry!
âWhat are you signing about?â Tina was utterly vexed as she exclaimed. âYou must have done it on purpose! You want to embarrass me in front of everyone, donât you?â As she spoke, she shoved Rachel away.
âBe careful, Rachel!â Thanks to Gloriaâs swift senses, she quickly held onto Rachel before getting in front of her. She then said, âItâs just an accident. Itâs pretty obvious to me that Rachel was trying to apologize. What do you want more from her? Itâs just a dress!â
âJust a dress, you say?â Amber crossed her arms. âOh, little girl! Do you know how much effort was put into making this dress? A craftsman from Italy spent one whole year sewing every single thread with his own hands! This dress could buy an entire city!â
While Amber was adding fuel to the fire, Tina yelled with a dull face, âSecurity, send her out of the building!â
At once, the security guards rushed over. When the guards grabbed Rachel, she staggered and almost fell, feeling so ashamed that she wanted to dig a hole and hide herself. Upon witnessing this, the people around them had no idea who she was, and they gave her judgmental stares while criticizing her.
Seeing this, Gloria shouted, âHow are you all being so unreasonable? Let go! Let go of her!â
âThis is my engagement banquet! This is my house! Who are you to give orders?â
Tina proceeded to leer at her guards. âWhat are you waiting for? Send her out right away!â she yelled.
Tactfully, the security guards tossed Gloria outside the premises as well.
âAh!â Gloria shrieked as both women fell onto the ground simultaneously.
Out of the blue, a figure walked out from the shadows of the crowd. When he saw that the two of them had collapsed to the ground, Justin hurried over and helped Gloria up before interrogating Tina, âWhatâs the big deal?â
Once Gloria got up, Rachel, who was still lying on the ground, felt the weight off her. Although her knees were still tingling, she forcefully supported herself against a table beside her and barely managed to stand up, all the while remaining silent.
For some reason, Justin withdrew his extended hand as he looked at Rachel in confusion.
âDid you bring her here to throw shade at me, Justin?â Given Tinaâs temper and the fact that she was the highlight of the night, she was remarkably bold. âShe deliberately destroyed my dress and ruined my banquet! How is she going to pay for this?â
To that, Justinâs eyes darkened. âSo thatâs why you had the guards throw them out?â
Immediately, Tina was stunned.
âWho laid their hands on these women?â Justin swept his gaze across the squad of security guards, who instantly lost their uniformity upon the manâs intimidation.
âPerhaps I should break all of your arms!â As he casually spat those words, the room consequently got quiet.
Among the crowd, some stared at each other in a baffled manner while others gasped out of shock.
Rachel was stunned as well, for she had never expected Justin to be this outraged.
In the nick of time, Jason and Noah arrived at the scene upon hearing the chaos. âWhatâs all this about?â
As he held Tinaâs hand, Noah then questioned, âAre you hurt, Baby?â
The woman had a long face as she shook off Noahâs hand.
Several people from the crowd quickly ran toward Noah and briefly relayed what had happened earlier in a whisper. At once, Noah chuckled and said, âItâs no big trouble. Itâs just a dress, Baby. Iâve got another one prepared just for you. Why donât you go and get changed?â
Having said that, he turned to Justin and stated, âWeâre a family. Justin, so donât be so hostile. Itâs just a minor quarrel, and itâs not like you donât know how Tinaâs temper is. Sheâs just her stubborn self! But for some reason, there are voices constantly telling her to misbehave!â
Despite fooling around most of the time, Noah was pretty perceptive when it came to determining what kind of personality one possessed. He then proceeded to give Amber a threatening scowl.
At that, the womanâs face turned pale. Noah then continued, âThe banquet is starting soon. Spare me some pride, will you, Justin?â
When he saw how Justin had no intention of pursuing the matter, Noah asked Tina to go and get changed before he dispersed the crowd, finally keeping the situation under control.
âIâll come and drink with you later, Justin. Hope thatâs enough for an apology.â After he finished speaking, Noah walked away.
Meanwhile, Rachel slowly calmed down as she stood by the side.
âYou good?â Justinâs voice was heard from the front.
Rachel was momentarily dazed by this, and she raised her head to see Justin holding Gloriaâs hand, checking to see if she had any injuries. âLetâs visit the doctor later.â
âIâm fine. Tinaâs a bullying b*tch! Thatâs right-Rachel!â As Rachel popped up in her mind, Gloria turned around and quizzed, âAre you fine, Rachel?â
In response, the woman shook her head.
At the same time, Justinâs eyes fell upon Rachel, who was lurching while holding herself up at the table.
In that instant, there was a trace of sympathy in his eyes, but it quickly vanished when the woman turned to him.
âGo get rested if youâre hurt.â It was yet another emotionless string of words, but that didnât affect Rachel since she had long gotten used to his apathy.
Meanwhile, Gloria witnessed the darkness in his eyes and it made her ponder.
Since Rachel was injured, her knees were in so much pain that she couldnât walk properly. As such, she could only stay still in the resting area while Gloria tended to the guests along with Justin. When she saw the both of them traveling among the masses, Rachel felt even more like a stranger, not knowing why Justin insisted that she attend the banquet. All this stepping on me just for the sake of the Burtonsâ dignity?
âHonestly, whoâs that Gloria lady?â
A familiar voice sounded from her back, and before she realized it, Amber was already right beside her.
At her sisterâs presence, Rachel immediately frowned.
âEarlier on, I heard that Justin hired a young, female secretary whoâs constantly following him around. I guess seeing is believing, and reality has smacked me in the face tonight. How could you allow her to stick around him so much like a bug?â
As she glanced at Amber, Rachel responded by signing a few words. Arenât you constantly sticking to him too?
âD*mn youâ¦â Amber was visibly tilted. âWhere is she from?â Earlier on, she had assumed that Justin was only protecting Rachel, but upon careful observation, she realized that the man only cared for Gloria, and the guards were only hesitating because they were aware of Justinâs relationship with the younger woman. Thus, knowing that made Amber on edge.
I have no clue.
âHow could you not know? Donât you work at Burton Group? Thatâs his secretary! When did he hire her, and where is she from?â
If you want to know it so badly, why donât you go and ask her in person?