The host, too, was taken aback by Celestine’s striking presence in the audience.
For a moment, he didn’t even notice Lance sitting just behind her.
Who is this stunning woman? Is she new on the scene?
But he didn’t have time to dwell on it–his earpiece crackled with the voice of the red carpet director.
“This is perfect timing. Mention Mirabelle’s dress–make sure everyone knows it was designed by Mr. Blake!”
The host caught on immediately and cleared his throat, a smile sliding across his
face.
“Looks like Mirabelle has spotted someone she knows… Mr. Blake himself, isn’t that right?”
He stretched the last word for emphasis, then continued, “Mirabelle, your gown tonight is absolutely gorgeous. Social media’s already buzzing, saying Mr. Blake is the genius behind your look. Do you have anything you’d like to say to him?”
With a practiced ease, the host shifted the spotlight onto the pair, knowing exactly
where the audience’s attention would land.
Lance, seated in the audience, seemed to relax a little.
Surely Mirabelle wouldn’t let this golden opportunity to cozy up to him slip by.
But the woman sitting directly in front of him… She looked oddly familiar.
His gaze dropped, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes.
Everyone assumed he was displeased with Mirabelle for wearing his design without proper acknowledgment.
But Mirabelle spoke up, her words direct and unexpected.
“I wasn’t looking at Mr. Blake,” she said. “I was looking at the woman in front of him–Miss Celestine, who’s actually my design consultant for tonight’s ceremony.”
The host blinked in surprise.
Mirabelle’s voice held a note of honest confusion. “And as for the gown Mr. Blake supposedly designed–where’s that coming from?”
17:31
[Stop pretending, you fraud! You stole someone else’s dress! No wonder Joanna showed up in red tonight, she was trying to make up for it!]
[Thief! Mirabelle, get out of the industry! Don’t sully the Magnolia Awards!]
The host tried to smooth things over on the surface, but inside he was buzzing with excitement. “Mirabelle, you do have a sense of humor. Of course your dress is by Mr. Blake–have you forgotten?”
“Who told you that?” Mirabelle’s red lips curled into a cool smile. “My red carpet gown tonight is from Luminous Couture, created by Master Ellsworth. The Seabay brand lent it to me, and my design consultant, Miss Selwyn, guided every detail of the look.”
She paused, then asked, “So where exactly does Mr. Blake come into this?”
“Could there be some misunderstanding? Would you like me to call up the lead designers of both dresses right now and clear things up?”
Her pointed questions sent another wave of stunned silence through the room.
A bead of sweat formed at the host’s hairline.
How did this happen? This wasn’t what they’d planned before the show!
Celestine sat calmly in the audience, aware of the eyes now fixed on her from every
direction.
But she was unfazed, her expression content and composed.
In stark contrast was Lance, seated just behind her.
If looks could kill, his glare would have buried everyone on stage by now.
All trace of his earlier poise had vanished.
Though the camera cut away quickly, plenty of people caught the scene.
[Mirabelle must be furious at being called out with the truth!]
[Unbelievable–if Mirabelle hadn’t worn this so beautifully, and the host hadn’t asked, would everyone have just assumed it was Lance’s work?]
[Someone must be eating their words now. Don’t forget that bet you made!]
[I knew it! Mirabelle was clearly looking at that beautiful woman, not Lance. Some fans are just delusional–this is hilarious!]
[Joanna’s stans, keep crying!]
17.31
υπαρισι του
[What’s the big deal? It’s just a dress. If it’s not Lance’s, it’s not. Mr. Blake never said she’d be wearing his design tonight–so why the drama? The real show is the
awards dinner later. That’s where Joanna will shine!]
Joanna had already left the red carpet by the time the host questioned Mirabelle about her gown.
Now, learning the truth, the makeup she’d spent all afternoon perfecting twisted along with her expression.
Useless!
Lance is useless!
She’d thought he was at least smarter than that idiot Zeke, but in the end, it was Lance who nearly made her the laughingstock of the night.
Chapter Tu
Wait–there was still Celestine!
