143 Chapter 146
“You don’t understand!” she shouted desperately. “She schemed her way into the Sterling family just like she did with ours! She uses men for their connections and money!”
The venomous voice behind me made me freeze. I knew that voice. Turning slowly, I found myself face to face with Giselle Grayson–Julian’s sister.
I shook my head. “She’s in Paris with her family. Holiday tradition.”
“When do you leave?” Damien asked, his eyes still on the road.
“Not kind–truthful.” He gestured across the room to a woman in a midnight blue dress. “That’s one of yours, isn’t it? The asymmetrical neckline gave it away.”
The car slowed as we approached a gleaming high–rise with a sleek glass facade. Valets stood at attention near the entrance.
“Had some business to attend to,” Damien replied smoothly. “Elias, this is Hazel Ashworth. Hazel, meet Elias Easton.”
“That’s enough.” Damien’s authoritative voice cut through the chaos as he materialized at my side, his arm sliding protectively around my waist.
He nodded, understanding in his eyes despite his obvious disappointment. “We’ll celebrate when you return.”
Du repay us? By
“After everything he did for you!” Giselle’s face was flushed with anger. “My family took you in when you had nothing! We made you somebody! And how di destroying my life too!”
I sighed, looking down at my simple black dress. “I just wish I’d known. I would’ve worn something more appropriate.”
“You think you’ve won?” she hissed at me, her composure cracking completely. “You think you can just move on while my brother suffers? While I live with the loss of my child?”
“After your brother took her wedding and gave it to another woman,” the first woman pointed out. “Seems like she had reason to be upset.”
143 Chapter 146
“Your brother made his choice,” I replied, struggling to maintain my composure. “He chose to marry my dying stepsister.”
“Save your fake sympathy!” She was beyond reason now. “You think you can just
destroy the Graysons and move as 1
opportunist!”
on to the Sterlings? You’re nothing but a gold–digging
I stood speechless as strangers unexpectedly defended me. Giselle’s face contorted with rage as she realized she was losing the crowd.
“I know,” I said softly. “But Milan was scheduled months ago. I can’t back out now.”
He frowned slightly. “You’ll miss New Year’s Eve here?”
“Sterling, some of the guys want to pick your brain about the Henderson merger,” Elias said, turning back to Damien. “Mind if I steal him for a moment?”
“Hazel Ashworth–I want to destroy you! Destroy your life!” she shrieked, suddenly pulling a small bottle from her purse. Before anyone could react, she uncapped it and hurled its contents directly at my face.
Giselle looked startled at the unexpected challenge. “That’s–that’s not the point! She used fireworks to ruin their wedding! She humiliated our entire family!”
She looked thinner than I remembered, her usual polished appearance somewhat diminished by dark circles under her eyes and a brittle quality to her hair. But her expression was as hateful as ever.
A woman I didn’t know stepped forward. “Wait, aren’t you the designer whose fiancé left her at the altar for her dying stepsister? I remember that story”
“You’re overthinking again,” Damien said, his hand finding mine and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I can practically hear the gears turning in your head.”
People nearby had begun to notice the confrontation, conversations quieting as heads turned our way. I kept my voice low. “This isn’t the place, Giselle.”
My fingers nervously fidgeted with the hem of my dress as Damien’s car smoothly navigated through the evening traffic. Despite his reassurances, anxiety gnawed at my insides. Meeting his friends/wasn’t something I’d prepared for–mentally or fashion–wise.
“Yes,” another guest chimed in. “Wasn’t there something about how you donated blood
143 Chapter 146
to save his life for years?”
I stared at her, genuinely confused. “How did I destroy your life?”
“We’re here,” Damien announced as one of the valets hurried to open my door.
“Clearly,” she spat. “You thought you could just worm your way into a new social circle after destroying ours?”
As Damien was pulled away into a circle of animated businessmen, I took a glass of champagne from a passing server and surveyed the room. I didn’t recognize anyone except…
“The stress of dealing with your vindictive attacks on Julian caused me to lose my baby!” she screamed, tears streaming down her face. “I was eight weeks pregnant, and after your little firecracker stunt and all the media attention, I miscarried!”
“Oh, look who’s here to defend his latest conquest,” Giselle sneered, though I could see fear flash in her eyes. “Do you even know who she really is, Sterling? What she’s capable of?”
“Oh, I think it’s exactly the place.” Her voice rose. “Everyone here should know exactly
are.” what kind of person you
Damien glanced at me questioningly. I nodded, trying to project confidence I didn’t feel. “Go ahead. I’ll get a drink and mingle.”
“Too bad. I was hoping to discuss that charity event with her.” Chloe’s attention was suddenly caught by someone across the room. “Oh, I need to say hello to Professor Liu. He taught my advanced music theory class. Will you be okay for
inute?”
Damien’s jaw tightened slightly as he turned onto a tree–lined avenue. “Someone like you?”
“He didn’t exactly give me much choice,” I admitted with a small smile. “This is quite the gathering.”
“The twenty–eighth. I’ll be there through New Year’s.”
“That’s not what happened and you know it,” I said quietly. “Julian betrayed me. He took our wedding–every detail I had planned–and gave it to Ivy.”
“You ruined my brother,” Giselle continued, her voice growing shriller. “Six years
of his
<
143 Chapter 146.
life wasted on you! And then you humiliated him publicly!”
“I can’t believe it. You actually showed your face here.”
Chapter 146 – Confrontation at the Celebration
Warmth spread through my chest as I recognized my design. “Yes, it is.”
“Why?” His question was simple but loaded.
“You look stunning,” he replied without hesitation. “Besides, it’s not a formal gathering. Just friends celebrating Little New Year’s Eve.”
The room had fallen completely silent now. I could feel eyes boring into me from every
direction.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. I felt sick. “Giselle, I had no idea you were pregnant. I’m truly sorry for your loss, but—”
my heart “My world is wherever you are now,” he said with such conviction that I felt flutter. “And if anyone has a problem with that, they’re welcome to leave it.”
I blinked in surprise. “That’s very kind of you to say.”
Looking up at the imposing building, I took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”
I waved my hand vaguely. “You know what I mean. I’m not exactly from your world.” “Damien!” A ‘tall man with salt–and–pepper hair approached us, clapping Damien on the shoulder. “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
A few more people turned to watch, including a man I recognized as a fashion industry investor. Perfect. Just what I needed before Milan.
“Because you drove him to it!” she cried. “Always working, always putting your career first. No wonder he fell for someone who actually made him feel wanted!”
Left alone again, I sipped my champagne and tried to look like I belonged. I spotted Damien deep in conversation, his confident posture and commanding presence drawing attention naturally. This was his element–power, wealth, connections. For a moment, I wondered if I could ever truly fit into this world.
“Giselle, please,” I said, genuinely concerned by her escalating behavior. “Let me call you a cab.”
143 Chapter 146
“Hazel!” Chloe’s familiar voice cut through the chatter as she bounced over to me. “You came! I wasn’t sure my brother would convince you.”
I hesitated, then decided honesty was best. “New Year’s with my family was never pleasant. My father would drink too much, Eleanor would criticize everything I did, and Ivy would get all the attention with her ‘first day of the year‘ performances. After I moved out, I just made it a habit to work. Easier than sitting alone in my apartment
with takeout.”
“The fashion designer,” Elias said, his eyes widening slightly as he took my hand. “I’ve heard remarkable things about your work. My wife adores your designs.”
“Your friends,” I emphasized. “People who’ve known you forever. People who probably wonder why you’re suddenly showing up with someone like me.”
“I know exactly who she is,” Damien replied, his voice like ice. “And I suggest you leave now, before you embarrass yourself further.”
Damien’s hand tightened on mine. “This year could have been different.”
“Of course,” I assured her. “Go.”
“Oh, this is nothing,” she said, waving her hand dismissively. “Just some friends and business associates. Is Victoria coming? I invited her.”
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “I always work through New Year’s anyway. It’s no big deal.”
The apartment–if you could call a sprawling penthouse an apartment–buzzed with the energy of at least thirty well–dressed people. Soft jazz music yed in the background, and servers glided through the crowd with trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
“Giselle,” I said evenly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
We drove in silence for a moment before I remembered something. “I need to finalize my Milan arrangements soon. Fashion Week is coming up fast.”
Giselle’s eyes darted wildly between us, then around the room at the disapproving faces watching her. Whatever sympathy she’d hoped to gain had vanished.
