Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

"What do you mean? Who are you calling ugly? You better explain." Chloe's expression changed. "I have no problem with you, miss. There's no need for you to attack me."

She had been spoiled since she was a child, and no one had ever called her ugly before. The woman in front of her was much prettier, and she couldn't find anything to criticize about her, which frustrated her.

Pearl crossed her arms and casually glanced at Esther on the stage. "Then what's your issue with her? Why are you attacking her?"

Chloe was stunned. She couldn't come up with a response.

"Today is their big day. If you insist on causing trouble here, don't blame Cerulean for not treating the Bishops well in the future."

In other words, if Chloe dared bully her friend, Pearl would not do business with the Bishops in the future.

Chloe wasn't entirely clueless. She knew a thing or two about the business world. She had heard her father mention the collaboration between Cerulean and their family.

In other words, Pearl wasn't someone she could easily offend. But she had said she would stand up for Fiona, and it was awkward to back down now.

At a loss for words, Chloe could only stand there,embarrassed.

"Well, I…"

Seeing that things weren't going well, Fiona didn't want to miss this opportunity, so she quickly stepped in to cause more trouble. She cleared her throat, acting like she was struggling to say what bothered her. "It's alright, Clo. I know you're doing this for me to let me vent, but there's really no need for this. It's their big day. I know what they said embarrassed you, but if you ruin this engagement party…"

Chloe was always hot-tempered and cared a lot about her reputation. Hearing what Fiona said to her, she couldn't hide her frustration when she realized everyone could see her embarrassment.

"No way, I've got to help you out today." Putting her family business aside, Chloe said, "There's no need to threaten me with this, Miss Pearl. The Bishops don't need you as a partner."

"If that's how you want it, you can count the Wadorfs out too." Richard, who had been quiet, spoke up to support Pearl. His cold gaze fell on Chloe, almost swallowing her whole.

"Uh…" Chloe hesitated, unsure how to respond.

She had now offended two parties. Panicked, she wondered if it was worth offending Richard and Pearl for Fiona.

Before she could decide, James, who had been helping guests nearby, noticed the situation and walked over with a glass of wine.

Seeing James in a white suit today, Chloe was speechless. Although she claimed to stand up for Fiona, she acted out her unspoken feelings.

She had a crush on James even before Fiona did. But she knew James wouldn't be interested in someone like her, and she also wasn't as important as Fiona. Instead of helping others, she preferred to support her friend.

"Causing trouble at my engagement party, huh?" James's eyes were calm, showing no emotion.

Chloe thought James wasn't serious about the engagement, so she boldly said, "James, I… I know you actually have feelings for Fiona. Someone like Esther is not worthy of you. S-So I'm speaking up for you…" Talking to someone she had feelings for made her stammer.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

James smiled a bit, his voice calm but strong. "So, should I be grateful to you?"