Chapter 116
Chapter 116
SeabayOfficial’s Instagram was on fire, dropping announcements with no holds barred.
“Hey friends, just a quick update–we’ve already commissioned two designers. The first draft of the Drizzly Lane collection and the Mirabelle Pearl Edition will be released separately. If you’re interested, you can secure your favorite with a deposit on our official site!”
“Oh, and to those haters and trolls saying our gowns are ugly–maybe close your saved folder next time. All those Mirabelle gala pics you’re drooling over? Yeah, we blush just looking at your collections!”
Their posts hit hard, and suddenly a wave of exposed trolls began second–guessing themselves, scrambling to check their own saved folders.
Netizens flocked to watch the drama unfold, and the criticism aimed at Joanna’s camp only intensified.
Backstage in the dressing room, chaos reigned. Makeup cases crashed to the floor in a cacophony.
Joanna, her face twisted in fury, lost all composure. “Useless, all of you! How can you mess up something this simple? I pay you to stand around and eat, is that it?!”
By the time Lance arrived, Joanna was already in tears, her face blotchy and red.
“It’s my fault. I must be the reason everyone hates me. I never should’ve come to this awards show. I never should’ve worn this dress. I never should’ve accepted her award.” She was sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath.
Apart from their wedding night in Chester, it had been six years since Lance had seen Joanna break down like this.
His heart ached for her. “Joanna, none of this is your fault! Zeke was the one who made that stupid call. People online love a bandwagon–they don’t know the first thing about you. Why let any of that get to you?”
But Joanna just kept crying, inconsolable, no matter how gently Lance tried to comfort her.
Suddenly, a man’s voice cut through the tension outside the dressing room. “What’s going on? Is Joanna okay?”
Joanna’s tears stopped instantly. She rushed into Chester’s arms, clinging to him.
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Chapter 116
“Chester, I feel awful. Everyone hates me. What did I do wrong? I never even wanted that award. A few years ago, everyone was happy for me when I won. Why does it all turn so quickly?”
Her words softened Chester’s expression. He reached up, his hand gentle on her shoulder. “This isn’t your fault,” he said quietly. “Zeke handed out that award without thinking, using you as a pawn in his fight with Mirabelle. I’ll talk to him, and I’ll get someone to handle the mess online. Don’t cry, okay?”
Joanna said nothing, just buried her face in his chest, her sobs quieter now–Chester’s words had gotten through to her, at least a little.
Lance watched it all, his expression stormy, fingers curling into his palm. In a few short words, Chester had undone everything Lance had tried to do to comfort her. If this is what she wants, Lance thought, then that’s what I’ll give her. He owed her that much. Years ago, Joanna had put his name on her own original design, helping him through the roughest patch of his life.
Someone as kind as her didn’t deserve to be trampled on, to be someone’s mistress, trapped in a loveless marriage. He would make sure she got what she wanted.
Joanna looked up from Chester’s embrace. The room was dim, but he was close enough that she could clearly see the bite mark peeking out from under the collar of his turtleneck.
Lipstick smeared the edge; it was unmistakably a woman’s bite.
Who was it?
Joanna’s grief was instantly replaced by a surge of anger. She quickly dismissed Celestine from her mind–Chester only slept with her out of obligation, especially given the state of things now.
So, when had Chester started/seeing someone new?
She bit her lip so hard she nearly drew blood, stopping herself just in time from demanding answers.
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Chapter 117
