With a casual quip, Annie effortlessly steered Selenaâs accusation about her plastic surgery into a lightâhearted joke, cleverly distancing herself from the situation.
Now, Selena was complete Muck in a dilemma. She could confess to intentionally badmouthing part Annie to make amends, but that would only fail to arnish Annieâs reputation and made herself at of the jest. Or she could firmly believe that Antic had indeed gone through cosmetic procedures, and yet her counter of âSlandering is illegalâ would only embarrass herself. After all, it was still uncertain who was the slanderer.
Selena promptly glanced over at Jessica and Yolanda, seeking help.
Jessica wasnât about to let Annie steal the spotlight at her own birthday bash. With a touch of reproach, she remarked, âAnnie, Selena is a guest here. Your behavior isnât exactly polite. Everyone knew Annie was brought up in the countryside and lacked refined manners. It was normal for her to be a bit impolite.
Annie promptly apologized, âSorry, Jessica.â
Jessica breathed a sigh of relief. She had been puzzled by Annieâs sudden shift in behavior, but it seemed like Annie had merely capitalized on a moment of quick wit. Smiling, she declared, âSince itâs my birthday today, let me handle this. Annie, applogize to Selena, and that should settle things.
Selena started it by throwing words, but Annie was asked to apologize. It was clear as day that Jessica was playing favorites way too much.
Annieâs lips curved into a sincere smile. âSorry, Jessica, I might not get all the rules down like you do. In my hometown, if someone messes with us, we make sure to fight back. Bowing too much might mean we canât stand tall again. I never imagined that here, youâre expected to offer yourself up for more stomping after being bullied.â
Annie didnât utter a single harsh word, yet Jessica felt a burn on her face. Wasnât this pretty much implying that she couldnât distinguish right from wrong? Adding insult to injury, Annie didnât mind. calling herself a hick, but even country folks value honor, while the high society individuals effortlessly shift their principles.
For a moment, many eyes shot Jessica disapproving looks.
Yolanda felt her blood boil and hurried to defend Jessica. âAnnie, youâve gone too far!â
Selena, eagleâeyed, spotted the sparkly diamond earrings on Annieâs cars and added, âExactly! She leans on the Sander family for support, and when she needed accessories for her attire, Yolanda kindly lent her cherished diamond earrings. But how does she respond? Clearly, she doesnât consider Jessica and Yolanda as family. Is that how a decent person acts?â
Yolandaâs expression changed instantly, and she urgently grabbed Selenaâs arm, whispering, âThatâs enough!â
Selena was confused. âWhatâs up with you? She treats you like that, and you still wonât let me speak Are you talking about this, Ms, Gale Annie castially revealing her delicate earlobes and a pair of expens Selena sneered, arms crossed, âOr else? If you canât just plain embarrassing. We would never stoop so lo Volandaâs face grew gloomier. âThatâs enough, Selen âWhy do you always take Annieâs side? Selena was defend Yolanda.
Annie seemed puzzled. âWhat were you saying, Ms. belonged to me.â
âYours?â Selena, who had been planning to take this. I couldnât be true. Iâve seen Yolanda wear those dia where she got them!
Annie continued slowly, âI have the purchase receip customâmade, my name is engraved on the carring you can ask Yolanda, She then looked towards Yolanda, who was trying telling the truth, Yolanda?â
ââ¦â Yolanda stuttered, avoiding eye contact with ev thousands of needles, Selena frowned, âWhatâs going on, Yolanda? Didnât)
âEnough, Selena, Jessica interjected.
âButâ¦â Selena hesitated.
Jessica lowered her voice. âWeâll get back at her late pushing, Annie would be the only one to come out âWow, Annieâs really something, isnât she?â Donald earbuds. He had hacked into all the Sanders reside banquet. Naturally, he saw those prim heiresses, us Annie stayed cool as a cucumber, not even a flicker âSharpâtongued and cunning, Jackson smirked, hi underestimated her before.
Donaldâs mischievous chuckle sounded through th on Annie. Got a crush on her, huh?â
Jackson raised hilk tyre casually and retorted. âIf you had a poisonous snake nearby, would you keep an eye out and sy alert âSure thing! What if it sheaks up and bites me out of nowhere?â Donald responded.
âWould you then fall for that venomous snake?â Jackson prodded.
âAm I crazy?â Donald blurt out.
Jackson shrugged. âThatâs it.â
Donald looked puzzled, clearly not catching on.
Just then, a hearty cheer rang out from the entrance, Donald explained, âIt seems Jeremyâs showed up. Tsk, check out how hyped those girls are. Clueless bunch. If you werenât dodging the spotlight, youâd definitely outshine him!â
Jackson smirked nonchalantly. But suddenly, something struck himâAnnie admired Jeremy, and it was common knowledge all around Betrico.