Chapter 8
Stephanie sneered and texted Giovanni: [Expose them.]
A video and high-quality images from the engagement party, capturing compromising moments between Douglas and Florence, flooded the internet, breaking free from the confines of upper-class society circles.
The official Fantasy Entertainment website crashed under a barrage of insults and critical comments.
A comment appeared: [So, this is their damage control after getting caught red-handed? This engagement is a shami]
Another biting remark said: [Florence plays the innocent card while she’s backstabbing her sister. She’s pure evil!]
Someone expressed: [Looks like Florence’s innocent facade has crumbled now!
A comment declared: (The CEO of Fantasy Entertainment is a two-timing s**li
Another said: [I hope these two stay together and spare the rest of us their dramal]
One commented: [I want to return my concert ticket.]
Similar comments kept surfacing.
Stephanie responded to the concert ticket remark: [We should be in the audience, witnessing firsthand how this pretentious wench pretends to be innocent.]
The commenter agreed: [You’re right! We need to see her true colors for ourselves.]
One commented: 1 second that!]
Another commented: [Me too!]
Meanwhile, at the Hayes manor, Florence, after seeing the online storm, cleared her dresser of all cosmetics with a sweeping motion, sending them crashing to the floor, and let out a scream.
Matilda burst into the room, alarmed. “Flore, what happened?”
Tears streaming, Florence shared, “Mom, Douglas assured me everything would smooth over with our engagement announcement. I never imagined someone would leak photos and videos from the party. It’s a nightmare online.”
Matilda frowned. “Is Douglas handling it?”
Florence, drying her tears, confessed, “He’s tried everything-hackers, his company’s IT department-but nothing’s stopped the spread. With the concert tomorrow, and no ticket returns, I’m at a loss.”
Matilda, trying to find a silver lining, said, “But this could be good, Flore. If no one’s returning their tickets, it means they still support you.”
Florence, pointing out a nasty comment, said, “Mom, look at this. This commenter, Summer, is calling for people to come to the concert just to ridicule
me.
Matilda reassured her, “Flore, don’t let it scare you. Your voice is beautiful. You’ll win them over.”
Florence’s face paled. Left with no other choice, she pinned her hopes on Stephanie’s voice to salvage her reputation. She sent a message to Stephanie on WhatsApp: [Stephie, the backlash is unbearable. I need you to dazzle them at the concert tomorrow.]
12:41 Sat, 25 May
Chapter 8
Stephanie’s reply was prompt: [No worries.] With a c u n n n g smile, Stephanie thought, ‘Time to take back the spotlight you borrowed, Florence
77%
The next morning, the sun filtered in through the narrow c r a ck of the curtain, and dust danced in the air.
Stephanie awoke, feeling momentarily dazed. Quickly lifting the blanket, she leaped out of bed and dashed out of the room, coincidentally crossing paths with Sophia.
“You’re awake, Mrs. Fletcher,” said Sophia.
“Is Vincent awake?” Stephanie asked.
Sophia replied, “Mr. Fletcher left shortly after dawn. He seemed in a hurry.”
Disappointment crept onto Stephanie’s face. “I see.”
Sophia then added, “Mrs. Fletcher, breakfast is ready. You can have them downstairs.”
Stephanie nodded and returned to her roo
room.
She then sent a message to Vincent: [Why did you leave so early?]
Vincent replied: [Something’s wrong with the project in Gerton. I’ll be back in two days.]
Stephanie replied: [I’ll be waiting for you.]
He replied: [Okay!
Stephanie recalled Vincent’s departure from Jacaster after their engagement party in her previous life. She wasn’t his chief secretary then.
As nothing significant happened at that time, she felt relieved.
“This is perfect. With Vincent gone, I don’t need excuses to leave for Florence’s concert, she thought.
After breakfast, she returned to her room. She received a call from Julianna Saunders, her best friend. Julianna’s voice burst through with excitement. “Stephie, you’re finally taking charge!”
Raising her eyebrows, Stephanie inquired, “So you’ve finally decided to speak to me again?”
Julianna rebuked, “It’s because of your engagement to that jerk. That’s why I blocked you and impulsively came to Irethiel, I only found out about the gossip from my peers today. How did you come to your senses?”
Stephanie briefed her on the events of the previous night.
Initially excited, Julianna fell silent when she learned that Stephanie had married Vincent. After a long pause, she exclaimed, “Are you crazy? Why marry a c r i p p l e? Why jump into another trouble after leaving one?”
Despite moving the phone away, Stephanie could still hear Julianna’s trade.
“What’s wrong with you, Stephanie? People make bad decisions, but yours is the worst! Vincent, though powerful in the business industry, is not suitable to be a husband. You’re going to live a life of abstinencel” Julianna chided.
Understanding Julianna meant well, Stephanie Stayed silent until the former was done venting her anger. “Vincent’s the one who saved me from the fire. He’s c r i pl e d because of me,” Stephanie clarified,
Chapter 8
“I wish you a happy but sexless life, Stephie,” Julianna replied.
Stephanie laughed. “Come back, Julia, My designs will be exclusive to Starlight Design Studio. I’ll lead Style Jazz Couture to greater success.”
“Okay, wait for me,” said Julianna with a smile.
The two chatted for a while before hanging up.
In her previous life, Stephanie had sacrificed too much for Florence, handing over all her creative designs which led to Fantasy Boutique’s worldwide fame and positioned Florence as a top designer. This generosity caused Starlight Design Studio, which she co-founded with Julianna, to face a critical shortage of designs, ultimately leading to its downfall after their designers were lured away by Fantasy Boutique.
Julianna had always been critical of Stephanie’s naivety towards Douglas” true character and his affair with Florence. When Stephanie and Douglas armounced their engagement, it was the final straw for Julianna, prompting her to take a break.
This time around, Stephanie was determined to rectify her previous mistakes, ensuring that neither Julianna would remain upset with her for long nor would Starlight Design Studio meet the same unfortunate end.
After dedicating an entire day to her designs, she asked Connor to drive her to Jacaster Stadium for Florence’s concert.
The roads were jam-packed, leading Stephanie to suggest, “Connor, you can head back. I’ll catch a taxi from here.”
But Connor, hesitant to leave Stephanie alone, decided to inform Vincent. “Mr. Fletcher, Mrs. Fletcher is attending the concert.”
Vincent, amidst a meeting, responded with a hint of amusement, “Is that so?”
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