For every S/ product launch, a numbered paddle is placed at each guest’s seat. Its purpose is simple: to make it easy to record their purchasing requests.
Alia Sutton imdiately called a staff mber over.
"Excuse , are you Miss Alia Sutton?" the staff mber asked.
"I am. Is there a problem?"
"Yes. Our general manager previously instructed that you, along with two other young ladies, are not permitted to purchase any S/ items. To avoid any trouble, we didn’t prepare a numbered paddle for you. We ask for your understanding."
The staff mber’s voice wasn’t loud, but many of the surrounding guests still heard. They all turned to look at Alia Sutton.
Alia Sutton’s expression stiffened, and she was inwardly seething.
She had co in with Sean Hughes, thinking the previous incident was behind them. She never expected this to be waiting for her.
Alia couldn’t make a scene. Just as she resolved to swallow her pride and dismiss the staff mber, Sherry Caldwell’s voice rang out.
Sherry Caldwell feigned surprise. "Oh my, Alia. I had no idea you weren’t even qualified to purchase S/ designs anymore. How about this? Just tell what you like, and I’ll bid for you."
The staff mber said impassively, "Miss Caldwell, allow to remind you. The general manager has stated that no one is to sell or gift any S/ designs to Miss Sutton. Otherwise, we will take it as a sign of your dissatisfaction with S/."
"Thank you for the reminder." Sherry Caldwell looked at Alia Sutton with a look of mock apology. "I’m so sorry, Alia, I can’t help you after all. But don’t be sad. It’s still nice to just look, isn’t it?"
"Shut up!" Alia Sutton couldn’t stop herself from shouting.
Sherry Caldwell put on a startled expression. "I was just trying to be nice. I didn’t an to upset you. Sean, please, tell her."
Sean Hughes held Sherry Caldwell with a concerned look and said softly, "It’s all right, I know. You didn’t an it. No one’s misunderstanding you. Co, let help you back to your seat."
Alia Sutton’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe Sean Hughes would just tend to Sherry Caldwell like that.
Although no one said a word, Alia Sutton felt like she had beco an absolute joke.
Unable to bear it any longer, she turned and stord out of the hall.
As she rounded a corner, Alia Sutton saw a familiar figure.
Eliza Sutton.
And the person chatting happily with Eliza Sutton was none other than Saul Reynolds.
’Of course.’
’No wonder Saul Reynolds has been targeting . It’s all because Eliza Sutton is pulling the strings.’
Alia couldn’t help but recall being blacklisted by S/. She had begged Eliza for help, but her sister had just acted as if her hands were tied.
’And what was the truth?’
’Eliza was the one behind it all along!’
’That black-hearted bitch!’
Just then, Eliza Sutton and Saul Reynolds turned and walked away together.
Alia Sutton chased after them without a second thought. ’I have to expose Eliza’s hypocrisy!’
But as she got closer, an assistant stopped her.
"My apologies, Miss Sutton, but this is the backstage area. You cannot enter."
"You know who I am?"
"Of course. The heiress who was blacklisted by S/. You and the other two young ladies are a first for us."
"You!" Alia Sutton nearly exploded with rage but quickly reined it in. "I’m here to find Eliza Sutton. I saw her go inside."
"Yes, and you still can’t enter."
"We’re both ladies of the Sutton family! Why can she go in and I can’t?"
"On what grounds? Even the sa field can grow different crops." As Saul Reynolds’s trusted subordinate, he was well aware of Eliza Sutton’s true status.
’She’s the big boss, after all.’
"You! You look down on people!"
The assistant bowed his head and let Alia Sutton curse him out, but there was no way he was letting her in.
Alia Sutton was livid, but helpless. She could only leave in defeat.
She returned to the main hall. If she just left now with her tail between her legs, wouldn’t that be the sa as handing Sean Hughes over to Sherry Caldwell?
Ever since her mother’s accident and being blacklisted by S/, the marriage into the Hughes family was the best connection she could hold onto.
’Even if I’m being mocked, I absolutely cannot leave.’
But no one paid her any mind.
Everyone’s attention was fixed on one man.
Shane Lockwood had arrived.
Bodyguards cleared a path wherever he went. Countless powerful figures, people who were usually so high and mighty in her eyes, were now wearing fawning expressions and spouting words of adulation.
What did it an to be above all others?
This was the perfect illustration.
It was Shane Lockwood.
And the spot right beside him.
Alia Sutton was desperate to go over there, to show everyone that she, too, could be just as dazzling.
Just then, a hand grabbed her wrist.
Alia Sutton turned. It was Sean Hughes.
Sean Hughes said, "You see Shane Lockwood’s prestige, don’t you, Alia? When you see Eliza, you must get on her good side. She’s your sister, after all. If you can make her happy, she can whisper a few sweet nothings in his ear. Then, wouldn’t the Hughes family be set to prosper? Once you marry into the family, you’ll share in that glory. And then, won’t you be able to buy as many S/ pieces as you want?"
Alia Sutton nearly exploded. "You want to suck up to Eliza Sutton?"
"What do you an, ’suck up’? She’s your sister! Does a little disagreent have to turn you into mortal enemies?"
Seeing that Sean Hughes was getting angry, Alia Sutton quickly said, "That’s not what I ant. I just... I don’t know what to do."
"Don’t worry, I’ll help you think of a way."
Alia Sutton could only agree. She could tell from the look in Sean’s eyes that he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
At that very mont, a powerful surge of fury rose in Alia Sutton’s heart.
’Eliza Sutton is just an ex-con. Why should I have to suck up to her? Does she even deserve it?’
...
Just as the presentation was about to start, Eliza Sutton erged from backstage to find Shane Lockwood already sitting in her seat.
Eliza was stunned. "What are you doing here? And how did you know this was my seat?"
Shane Lockwood glanced up at Eliza. "Because I wanted to know."
His tone was as matter-of-fact and absolute as God saying, "Let there be light." Unbelievably arrogant.
’Fine, whatever.’
Eliza decided not to press the issue.
She obediently sat down next to him, in the seat that was originally ant for Eva Monroe.
The mont Eliza sat down, the presentation officially began.
The lights dimd and music swelled as Eva Monroe walked out in a white gown. Like an elf stepping out of a winter wonderland, she imdiately captivated the audience.
Behind them, reporters gasped in soft murmurs, their shutters clicking furiously.
Hearing the commotion, the corners of Eliza’s lips lifted. She knew that with this opportunity, Eva Monroe’s ti to shine had finally co.
Just as Eliza was getting excited by the show, a voice suddenly sounded next to her ear. "Why didn’t you answer my calls?"
Eliza turned to see Shane Lockwood’s furrowed brow. "That was an accident. I..."
"’You didn’t do it on purpose,’" Shane Lockwood cut her off. "If you try to brush off with that line, believe , I’ll make you regret it."
Eliza could only swallow the rest of her sentence, looking sheepish.
’This is the problem with a man being too clever. He’ll answer for you before you even get the chance.’
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