Chapter 7
But when Benjamin caught the old man's eyes, he knew he couldn't do that.
The Harris family absolutely couldn't kick someone when they were down, abandoning the woman they were supposed to be engaged to over a fake item at a time like this.
Otherwise, it would show they had no class and no tolerance.
Benjamin took a deep breath and reluctantly pulled Chloe's hand over, though his eyes remained glued to Charlotte.
By comparison, he realized even more how great Charlotte was.
Buying fakes was something Charlotte would never stoop to—someone who treated money like dirt and remained unmoved by all the designer jewelry he desperately tried to give her.
He wished he were marrying Charlotte right now instead.
Both named Johnson, yet so different.
Charlotte never gave Benjamin a single glance. After Edward gestured for her to sit, she went straight to a corner seat.
With such a mess at the engagement party, everyone's mood was ruined.
With Edward present, they couldn't gossip and had to pretend nothing happened to save face for the Harris family.
Once the engagement ceremony ended, guests hurriedly left. Soon, only the Harris family and Johnson family members remained.
Jason came over and whispered, "Should we go?"
Charlotte got up to say goodbye to Edward.
The show was over.
Starting today, Chloe would no longer have the nerve to show off in those socialite groups.
So satisfying.
But just as Charlotte was about to bid Edward farewell, the sound of brakes suddenly rang out.
Outside, a limited-edition Rolls-Royce pulled up.
Charlotte narrowed her eyes.
Anyone driving one of only three such luxury cars in the world must be someone important.
Curiosity flickered in her eyes.
The next second, the driver respectfully opened the back door, and a figure appeared before everyone.
Instantly, everyone held their breath.
Especially Chloe, whose eyes widened as she stared at the man in a black suit—noble, handsome, approaching like a mountain with an overwhelming presence.
The man was nearly six-three, with features so perfect he seemed like the creator's favorite, radiating a sharp aura impossible to ignore.
Chloe's breathing quickened, and she unconsciously murmured, "Who is that?"
"My uncle Alexander."
Benjamin lowered his voice, looking at Alexander with obvious respect.
"The Harris family heir, also my grandfather's youngest son. Despite his young age, he already controls the entire Harris family business."
Charlotte overheard this and looked at Alexander.
Just then, Alexander seemed to sense it. Their eyes met for just a second before he smoothly looked away.
He glanced around and said coolly, "Why is the engagement party so quiet? I'm only ten minutes late."
Benjamin pursed his lips and looked at Chloe.
Chloe bit her lip pitifully. "Uncle Alexander, this really isn't my fault."
She immediately called him uncle warmly. "I didn't mean to buy a fake. Having the necklace exposed was embarrassing for me too, but it's the store's problem."
"The store sold me a fake..."
She started sobbing, looking pitiful.
Jason secretly rolled his eyes.
"That innocent act is so disgusting! The Harris family won't believe it, will they?"
As soon as he spoke, Alexander shot Chloe a cold glance.
"Buying such an expensive necklace without getting an appraiser? I heard you design jewelry too. Queen's designs are priceless, yet you bought one for five hundred thousand and didn't even question it?"
Chloe's face turned red on the spot, completely speechless.
She hadn't expected Alexander to call her out directly. Ashamed and embarrassed, she looked at Benjamin.
But Benjamin stood there with his arms crossed, as if he hadn't heard anything.
Chloe was completely humiliated, her face turning tomato red.
Charlotte watched from the side and suddenly found it funny, unable to hold back a laugh.
This trick worked great for Chloe in the Johnson family, but Charlotte had never seen her so defeated.
Her laugh drew Alexander's attention again.
Alexander looked at her once more and suddenly realized this was the girl he'd met at the mall before.
A playful look appeared in his eyes.
Charlotte didn't care. Having seen enough, she said goodbye to Edward and left directly.
Benjamin instinctively stepped forward, wanting to call out to her.
Chloe saw this and bit down hard on her teeth in frustration.
Today she'd been completely humiliated while Charlotte stole the spotlight!
Not only did Edward clearly appreciate her, but she'd also become the design master Queen in everyone's eyes!
She absolutely couldn't let some country bumpkin overshadow her!
That night, a news story suddenly topped the trending list.
With hundreds of comments, it held steady at number two—clearly bought. But as more people joined the discussion, it gained real momentum.
Everyone online was talking about it.
[Charlotte, who claimed to be the famous designer Queen today, is actually just jealous that her adopted sister married into the Harris family, so she faked her identity to show off.]
[She wasn't even invited but showed up at the engagement party because some big shot brought her in through shady connections.]
Queen had high name recognition online with a large fan following.
As soon as this news hit trending, Queen's fans got angry first.
Late at night, Charlotte had just laid down when Jason called.
"Everyone's saying your identity is fake. Boss, how do we handle this?"
Charlotte was already reading the trending content when she got the call. She tapped her finger, seeing her fans protesting in the comments.
Charlotte smiled slightly. "Issue a statement in the studio's name."
"Got it." Jason understood immediately.
Then the studio's official account posted a statement video.
The video showed Charlotte creating design sketches.
She appeared on camera, with various international competition trophies she'd won as Queen displayed behind her, plus her chief designer certification from the International Jewelry Association.
The fake identity rumors instantly collapsed.
Public opinion reversed.
Passionate fans went crazy with declarations of love under the account.
[So Queen is so young and beautiful!]
[She looks so sweet—who knew my idol was this young!]
Everyone praised and worshiped Charlotte.
The studio immediately posted a comparison image.
The first was Charlotte's Heart of the Cosmos design sketch.
The other was a ninety-percent similar design, also named Heart of the Cosmos—Chloe's competition entry.
Once posted, it confirmed Chloe's plagiarism. The internet erupted with mockery.
Meanwhile, at the Johnson Mansion.
Chloe received a call from the Gold Crown Awards.
The organizer's tone was cold.
"We don't accept plagiarized entries. This call is to inform you that you've been disqualified."
"Wait..."
Before Chloe could finish, they hung up.
Then various media outlets called one after another.
"You plagiarized your sister's work because you can't design anything this good yourself?"
"How do you explain the plagiarism?"
"Did you buy the trending spot for the news slandering Charlotte?"
Chloe collapsed onto her bed, frantically turning on airplane mode, and screamed in fury.
"Charlotte, I won't let you get away with this. Just you wait!"