“…I thought we were going to the hospital?” Amelia Johnson suddenly felt the urge to open the car door and jump out.
“My personal physician is on standby at my residence,” Damien Taylor replied calmly, sending a quick text to his doctor at a red light, instructing him to come immediately.
Back in the ballroom—
“Sabrina, you swore that was a fake! What just happened?” Chloe Hughes looked utterly bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
“I… I don’t understand it either. It has to be a knock-off!” Sabrina Johnson’s nails dug into her palms.
She had bought that dress online for a pittance.
There was no way it was authentic.
The women who had been eagerly agreeing with Sabrina moments ago now turned on her with casual cruelty.
“A fake?
Mr. Starr himself just authenticated it.”
“I’m glad I didn’t say anything definitive.
I’d look like a fool now.”
“You really shouldn’t make such bold claims without proof.”
“Yes, you almost made us look bad alongside you.”
Sabrina put on a deeply apologetic expression.
“I’m so sorry, everyone!
Truly!
My sister is just…
very good at deception.
She told me herself it was a counterfeit.”
“Wait, so your sister knows Mr. Starr?
And you failed to mention that earlier?”
“Were you hiding that from us on purpose?”
With a wounded look, Sabrina insisted, “I swear I had no idea she knew him. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
She never once mentioned it to me.
I was as shocked as you are.”
“Didn’t I tell you Amelia is a master manipulator?” Chloe chimed in, venom in her voice.
“And you kept defending her. Now you see her true colors.”
Chloe had always held a grudge.
Back when they used to socialize, she felt Amelia was perpetually scheming.
Like the time Chloe had a severe allergic reaction—she blamed her makeup, unaware it was Sabrina’s doing all along.
A few minutes later, Sabrina scanned the room and realized Ethan Collins was gone.
She quickly called him.
“Ethan, where are you?”
“I’m downstairs.”
“…What are you doing down there?” Sabrina asked, thrown off.
“I’m looking for Amelia.”
Sabrina’s eyes flashed with sharp jealousy.
“Ethan, wait for me. I’m coming down.”
She found him pacing near the entrance.
“Any word from Amelia?”
Worry was etched on Ethan’s face.
“I just called her.
She didn’t answer.
You try.”
“I noticed Damien Taylor is missing too.
They’re probably together.
I’m sure she’s fine.”
“That’s precisely why I’m worried.”
Seeing his obvious concern for Amelia, Sabrina’s heart twisted.
“From what I saw, Damien seems quite taken with her. I’m sure he’ll ensure she gets home safely. Why don’t we head back first?”
This time, she picked up.
“Amelia, where are you?” His tone was sharp, laced with urgency.
“I’m at a friend’s place.
Let Sabrina know I’ll be home later.”
“Which friend?”
“Emily Carter.”
“And Damien?”
“He’s a very busy man, remember?
How would I know?”
“Then who is bringing you home later?”
“Emily, of course.
Was there anything else?
I need to go.”
“I just—”
The line went dead before he could finish.
The dial tone only amplified his frustration.
Sabrina gently tugged his arm.
“What did she say?”
“She’s at her cousin’s.”
“Shall we go pick her up?” What she really wanted to know was if Damien would be the one bringing Amelia home.
“Forget it. Let’s go.”
In the car, Ethan turned to her abruptly.
“Sabrina, did you have any idea Amelia was connected to Mr. Starr?”
Sabrina shook her head innocently.
“None at all. She never mentioned him once.” She offered a light smile.
“But I knew she wouldn’t wear fakes. She told us her clothes were genuine, and I believed her. I just don’t understand why she remained silent earlier. She had us all so worried. But I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm by it.”
Ethan let out a cold, disbelieving laugh.
“Didn’t mean any harm? She was toying with us, and she knew exactly what she was doing.”