Chapter 158
Seeing her adopt such a humble posture, Charlotte was somewhat surprised. She was about to extend her hand when a cold voice suddenly cut through the air.
"That won't be necessary."
Alexander didn't even glance at Charlotte, his tone icy as he interrupted their exchange.
"Ms. Johnson has such a successful career. I'm sure she has no interest in meeting people who don't matter, and probably doesn't need this kind of superfluous socializing."
The moment his words fell, the surrounding air seemed to freeze completely. Edward's smile stiffened on his face.
Elaine's hand hung suspended in midair—unable to advance or retreat.
Charlotte's expression turned ice-cold in that instant. Her brow furrowed deeply, and her hands on her knees clenched involuntarily, nails digging into her palms.
He was mocking her. Mocking what she'd said and done before.
And he was doing it in front of everyone, humiliating her without mercy.
Just thinking about it made Charlotte's expression turn absolutely ugly.
Since he wasn't giving her any face at all, she didn't need to consider whatever history they'd once shared either!
So she gritted her teeth, forcibly suppressing her fury, and slowly raised her head to meet Alexander's cold profile. A provocative smile curved her lips.
"You're absolutely right, Mr. Harris."
"My career is thriving. Naturally, I can't waste unnecessary time and energy on unnecessary people and matters!"
Her words were a direct counterattack.
Now even Edward sensed something wrong between the two of them. His brow furrowed immediately.
"You two... what's going on with you both? Why are you talking like you're throwing daggers at each other?"
Alexander didn't answer. He simply sipped his champagne, his eyes revealing nothing.
Charlotte lowered her head and picked up the tea in front of her.
Both answered Edward with silence.
At that moment, in an inconspicuous corner of the ballroom, Mandy held a decorative rose from the event, continuously tearing at its petals.
Her eyes burned with resentment, her chest heaving violently with dark emotion.
"Damn Charlotte, it's all because of you!"
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been completely humiliated!"
"Damn bitch! Bitch!"
She cursed under her breath while stomping the ground hard with her heels, her expression twisted.
"Tsk tsk, you got sent away just like that. How pathetic."
"Looks like your title as the Harris family's goddaughter doesn't carry much weight after all."
A sudden voice emerged from the nearby shadows, startling Mandy.
"Who! Who's there?! Come out!"
After hearing her voice, the person slowly walked out.
They wore an ill-fitting server's uniform, baggy and sloppy-looking.
A baseball cap on their head obscured most of their face.
When Mandy saw the newcomer, she frowned, about to snap at them—then the next moment, she watched as the person slowly lifted their head.
"Nora?! What are you doing here?!"
"Why shouldn't I be here?" Nora scoffed, a mocking smile playing at her lips. "Though I have to say, Mandy, I didn't expect Edward to scold you in front of so many people. That really was surprising."
"Honestly, doesn't it break your heart? Charlotte is just an outsider, while you're his goddaughter."
Hitting her sore spot, Mandy's expression instantly turned ugly.
She glared at Nora through gritted teeth, words squeezing out between her clenched jaw.
"Mind your own business!"
Nora shrugged indifferently. "Of course I won't get involved in that."
"But I really didn't expect Edward would protect her to this extent."
"Looks like you alone aren't enough, are you?"
"I..." Mandy was momentarily speechless, her expression incredibly dark.
But even so, Mandy had to admit Nora was speaking the truth.
Before Charlotte returned, she'd been the darling of the Harris family—indeed, of Imperial City's entire high society circle.
Edward might not have been particularly close to her, but he'd never said a harsh word to her in public like today!
But now, for Charlotte's sake, he'd embarrassed her in front of everyone!
How could she possibly swallow this humiliation!
"Damn Charlotte, she really deserves to die!" The more Mandy thought about it, the angrier she became, her voice growing almost hysterical. "Some wild girl who appeared out of nowhere, and the moment she arrives she steals everyone's attention!"
Watching her on the verge of explosion, Nora's eyes narrowed slightly.
But the next moment, she calmly raised her hand and placed it on Mandy's shoulder.
"Don't get angry. Anger won't solve the problem."
"And don't worry—she won't be smug for much longer."
"I came here today specifically to deliver her a big gift!"
Nora smiled slowly, her eyes flashing with a crazed and malicious light.
"Before long, she'll pay for everything she's done!"
Watching her like this, Mandy pressed her lips together. For some reason, even she found this version of Nora somewhat chilling.
At that moment, in a suite above the ballroom, Chloe stood before a mirror wearing an exquisitely expensive custom-made wedding gown.
Looking at the radiant, captivating woman in the mirror, a smug smile appeared on her face, her eyes full of arrogance.
She'd won. She'd finally won.
Starting today, she would be Benjamin's legitimate wife!
So what if Charlotte was impressive? She could only watch helplessly as all this happened!
Just thinking that Charlotte might be heartbroken somewhere in the ballroom right now filled Chloe with a sick sense of pleasure.
"Knock knock knock—"
A knock on the suite door interrupted her thoughts.
Chloe came to her senses, adjusted her train, and walked to the sofa to sit properly.
"Come in."
The door opened, and the person who entered made Chloe's eyes light up.
"Benjamin!"
She immediately stood, her voice sweetly coquettish as she moved toward him, reaching to link her arm through his as usual.
"You're here! Look at this wedding dress—isn't it beautiful? It's..."
Her words were cut short by Benjamin's cold glare.
He too wore a white suit today, and from a distance, they looked quite well-matched.
But Benjamin's handsome face showed no joy about the wedding—only impatience and irritation.
He shook Chloe off forcefully and stepped aside, as if desperate to avoid her.
"Benjamin..." Chloe's eyes instantly reddened, filling with grievance.