Paige found their affectionate display nauseating, so she grabbed her bag, pulled out an ID card, and covered the information with her fair fingers, revealing only her photo and name.
"You've both misunderstood. I'm not Paige; I'm Joss Lautner," she stated seriously.
Molly leaned forward to get a closer look.
"So I'm not the person you're looking for," Paige said calmly.
Molly stared at her dumbfounded. Had she really mistaken her? When had Paige become so composed in her presence? She had always been timid and submissive. But how could there be two people who looked so alike in the world?
Thinking this, Molly reached out to grab Paige's ID, but Paige immediately withdrew her hand defensively. "What are you doing?" she asked guardedly.
Bryan also felt Molly's actions were too rude, lacking her usual elegance, and couldn't help but furrow his brow.
"I... I just can't believe there are two people who look so alike in the world," Molly hastily explained.
Her words struck a chord with Bryan, who carefully scrutinized Paige. "You really aren't Paige? Do you have a twin sister or something?"
"You two are really strange. Sorry, I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now," Paige said, standing up to leave.
"No, you can't leave!" Molly stood up excitedly to stop her.
Paige took a step back, watching her warily. "Miss, if you touch me again, I'll call the police."
"Molly, what's wrong with you?" Bryan noticed something odd about Molly.
"I..." Molly hesitated. Her father hadn't arrived yet, and she couldn't let Paige leave. "Miss Lautner, you really resemble a friend of ours. She's been missing for three years, and we miss her a lot. Seeing you today feels like fate. Why don't we sit down and talk?"
Paige stood there, indifferent. "But I don't know either of you, so what is there to talk about?"
"Please have a seat," Molly said, motioning to the waiter and ordering three more coffees. She sat down and looked at Paige. "Miss Lautner, where are you from?"
"I'm from the South," Paige replied calmly.
"And how did you end up in the Capital?" Molly pursued.
"Are you investigating me?" Paige glanced at her skeptically.
"Miss Lautner, sorry about that. My girlfriend thinks you look a lot like someone we used to know, and she got a bit carried away," Bryan intervened, handing Paige a business card. "Nice to meet you. I'm Bryan Smith, and this is my girlfriend, Molly Clarke."
"I know her, the internet celebrity," Paige took the card and glanced at it, feigning surprise. "So, you're the master of the Smith Group. But didn't she publicly say you're just friends?"
Bryan looked embarrassed, and Molly glared at Paige. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Bryan awkwardly smiled and explained, "Molly is still in university. To help her focus on her studies without too much attention, we decided to wait until she graduates before going public."
"She is afraid of attention as an internet celebrity?" Paige questioned bluntly. "Mr. Smith, aren't you being deceived?"
Bryan's face reddened further; he had pondered this question himself, but Molly always had her reasons.
Molly stood up in anger. "You must be Paige!" How could a stranger be so antagonistic towards her?
"I'm sorry, Miss Clarke, I tend to speak my mind," Paige picked up her bag and stood up. "Since we don't seem to get along, let's just say goodbye."
As she turned to leave, Molly hurriedly stood up and followed her.
The waiter arrived with the coffees just then.
Molly quickly grabbed one of the steaming hot coffees and said, "Miss Lautner, have a coffee before you go... Oh no..."
She exclaimed as if tripping and pretended to spill the coffee.
"No need to be polite," Paige suddenly turned around, lightly lifting her hand and perfectly blocking the coffee cup.
Molly didn't expect the cup to come flying back. She stared in shock as the still steaming coffee was aimed right at her.
"Ah-ah-ah-"
The freshly brewed coffee made Molly jump up on the spot.
Everyone in the coffee shop turned to look at her.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry," Paige looked apologetic. "It was an accident. Are you okay?"
"Molly!" Bryan rushed over anxiously to check on her.
Molly glared furiously at Paige. "You did this on purpose! You deliberately did this! Paige, you are Paige!"
The waiter approached timidly. "I saw it just now, Miss Clarke wanted to offer this lady coffee, and she accidentally bumped into her when she turned around."
"You're blind..." Molly was furious and wanted to lash out right then and there. But she suddenly remembered Bryan was there, along with other customers, so she forced herself to hold back, grabbing her skirt and desperately fanning herself to cool down.
No matter the situation, she couldn't tarnish her perfect image, couldn't ruin her persona.
"Mr. Smith, please take your girlfriend to the hospital. I'm leaving," Paige smiled, nodded at Bryan, and turned to walk away.
Molly thought to herself, she couldn't let this woman get away. It was impossible!