Chapter 100
"What… what are you talking about?" Allegra's voice trembled, each word forced out with effort. "What plagiarism? I've never plagiarized anyone's work. I drew that myself—I stayed up day and night working on it—"
Lucinda looked at her, her mouth curving into a smile devoid of warmth—a smile that sent chills down the spine. "Whether or not you plagiarized, you know perfectly well. I'm warning you—don't provoke me again. Otherwise, I won't be polite."
Lucinda finished speaking, picked up her handbag, turned, and walked out.
Allegra slumped against the sink, both hands braced against the cold marble countertop.
She slowly lifted her head and looked at the nearly unrecognizable face in the mirror. Her lips pressed into a thin line, hatred churning thick and dark in her eyes.
'Lucinda. Just you wait.'
She bit her lip, straightened her back, pulled out a compact from her handbag, and began touching up her makeup in the mirror.
That slap from Lucinda had smudged her foundation, and her face was slightly swollen.
But thinking about having to go onstage soon to accept her award, she could only endure the pain and carefully reapply everything.
When she finished, she curved her mouth at the mirror. The motion tugged at the pain on her face, making her gasp involuntarily.
Finally, after repeatedly checking her reflection to ensure her smile looked flawless, she picked up her handbag, steadied herself on her heels, and stepped out of the restroom one deliberate step at a time.
At the doorway, Lucinda's silhouette was already fading into the distance.
Allegra stood at the corner of the hallway, watching that cool, detached figure disappear into the brightly lit depths of the venue.
Her fingers gripped the chain of her handbag so tightly her knuckles turned white, her nails digging into the leather and leaving deep marks.
Her left cheek still throbbed faintly. That burning pain spread from her cheek to her ear, then from her ear to half her skull.
Lucinda.
She repeated that name in her mind over and over, like gnawing on a bone she couldn't chew through.
After today, she would make Lucinda pay.
She took a deep breath, straightened her back, curved her lips into a gracious smile, and walked back into the venue on her heels.
In the second-row VIP section, Gemma was deep in conversation with a woman in a sapphire blue suit.
The woman was in her early fifties, well-maintained, wearing a gemstone necklace around her neck that clearly cost a fortune.
On her finger sat an enormous ruby ring. When she spoke, she liked to gesture with her hands, making that ruby flash under the lights.
Gemma's face was wreathed in smiles, her body leaning forward slightly, her posture more ingratiating than ever. "Ms. Johnson, rest assured, you've seen Allegra's talent. Now that she's won an award and her reputation in the industry will grow, having her endorse your jewelry would absolutely be a win-win."
Emily Johnson—owner of Starlight City's largest jewelry chain, "Gemstone Palace"—lifted her teacup, took a sip, and nodded with a satisfied smile. "I truly like Allegra. Beautiful, talented, and most importantly, she's sensible and knows gratitude. Not like some young people these days who have no sense of their place."
She set down her teacup, glanced over Gemma's shoulder, and spotted Allegra approaching. Her eyes lit up. "Allegra, you're back. Come sit."
Allegra smiled and nodded, walked over, and sat down beside Emily. An obedient smile graced her face, her voice sweet as honey. "Ms. Johnson, you came. I was so afraid you'd be too busy."
"How could I miss your awards ceremony?" Emily took her hand, looked her up and down, and grew more satisfied. "That dress is beautiful—it suits your complexion. Truly a designer worthy of awards. Your taste is impeccable."
Allegra lowered her head, her mouth curving into a bashful smile, though inwardly she was immensely pleased.
Gemma watched from the side, unable to suppress her smile.
Her daughter truly was the most presentable.
Just then, Allegra's phone buzzed.
She glanced down. A message from Marshall.
[I'm here. Where are you?]
Her eyes lit up instantly. She stood, said to Emily, "Ms. Johnson, my fiancé is here—I'm going to meet him," and hurried toward the entrance.
At the venue entrance, Marshall stood by the registration desk in a navy blue suit, looking down at his phone.
His brow was slightly furrowed, his expression somewhat distracted, as if thinking about something.
"Marshall!" Allegra ran over and looped her arm through his, pressing herself against him. She tilted her face up to look at him, smiling brightly. "You're finally here. I was so nervous just now. Having you here puts me at ease."
Marshall pocketed his phone and glanced down at her.
She'd dressed meticulously today—makeup flawless, gown glamorous, hair styled immaculately. Every inch of her radiated an aura that said, "I deserve to be seen by everyone."
Undeniably, standing here, she was beautiful.
Though the incident at the resort had left him with lingering doubts, he'd gone back and investigated. What he found contradicted those rumors.
The investigation showed that Allegra had been well-behaved at school—she didn't even dare speak to male classmates. How could she possibly be some gold-digging player?
It seemed those classmates had fabricated lies out of jealousy after Allegra was reunited with the Wipere family.
Thinking this, he pushed down the discomfort in his chest and curved his lips slightly.
"Traffic was bad. Good thing I made it."
Seeing him finally speak to her, Allegra's smile widened. She took his arm and led him toward the VIP section.
Thank goodness she'd erased all traces of her past. Even if Luca ran to Marshall spouting nonsense, without evidence, Marshall's investigation would turn up nothing—naturally, he'd return to her side.
Her steps were light and brisk. Her heels clicked rhythmically against the carpet, like a proud peacock displaying its most beautiful feathers.
"Marshall, let me introduce you to someone. Ms. Johnson from Gemstone Palace—you've met her before. She was just praising me."
When they reached the VIP section, Emily was already standing. Her gaze landed on Marshall, looked him up and down, and her smile deepened. "Mr. Grayson, long time no see. How has your father been?"
Marshall inclined his head slightly, his tone polite. "Ms. Johnson, hello. My father is well, thank you for asking."
Emily nodded, her gaze sweeping between him and Allegra, her smile lines deepening. "Mr. Grayson is truly fortunate to have found such an outstanding fiancée as Allegra. Beautiful, talented, and most importantly, sensible. In all the young people I've met over the years, someone as exceptional as her is truly rare."
She paused, her tone growing more serious. "By the way, Mr. Grayson, my contract with the Grayson Group expires next year. I'm planning to renew, and next year I intend to expand operations into several northern cities. Our partnership scale would at least double."
Marshall's eyes brightened.
Contract renewal. Additional investment. Doubling scale.
Those keywords were like a key, precisely unlocking the half-open door in his heart.
He turned to glance at Allegra. She stood with her arm looped through his, a gracious smile on her lips, looking gentle and poised.
This trip today was worth it.
"Ms. Johnson, rest assured. The Grayson Group has always enjoyed a pleasant partnership with Gemstone Palace. I'll discuss the renewal with my father as soon as I return."
Emily nodded with satisfaction and lifted her teacup for another sip.
Gemma sat nearby, watching the scene, unable to suppress her smile.
Her daughter truly was the most outstanding.
Her fiancé was the only son of the Grayson family. Her endorsement contract was with Gemstone Palace. And today she'd be accepting an award onstage.
Looking across all of Starlight City, which other heiress could compare?
Allegra felt her mother's gaze and straightened her posture even more.
She tilted her head slightly, whispered something in Marshall's ear. Marshall nodded, his mouth curving into a smile.
Everything was moving in the best possible direction.