Chapter 162
“Or,” Carter offered, “I can postpone the performance and have someone bring you a new dress.”
Sharon’s expression was frosted over. “The dress I’m wearing was designed to match Matty’s outfit. Carter, there’s still a performance ahead. For now, I won’t go after Kelly for sabotaging me. I’ll deal with her after the showcase.”
A shadow crossed Carter’s face, something cold flickering behind his eyes. He looked like he wanted to speak-but bit it back, forcing his voice to stay steady.
“I’ll pay you ten times what the dress cost.”
Sharon let out a bitter laugh. “So that’s where we are now? You think I’ve sunk so low that I need you to throw money at me to make this right?”
His gaze hardened. “Then name your price.”
She glanced around. Too many eyes were on her. If she actually gave him a number, she knew exactly what kind of story Nate and the rest of the Biggs family would spin out of it. She hadn’t said a single word yet, but she could already feel their eyes, the judgment, the shift in the atmosphere.
She didn’t care what they thought of her. But she did care about Matty.
If the rumors started flying, it wouldn’t just hurt her-it would follow Matty too. His place in kindergarten, his friendships, his peace of mind… all of it could be dragged through the mud.
Her lips curled into a cold smile. “Carter, you’re my husband. Not standing up for me is one thing-but standing here in front of everyone, asking me to name my price? What is that supposed to mean? That I’m just some gold-digger to you?”
His eyes flickered. “That’s not what I meant. I’m just trying to fix this.”
They shouldn’t have been airing family drama in public, but Sharon had already ripped off the polite mask. There was no point pretending now.
“If you really want to solve the problem,” she said, voice sharp as glass, “then why not send a new dress to Kelly instead of me?”
Carter met her gaze, calm but firm. “Your dress is already ruined. Even if you wear Kelly’s, it might not fit. And if that happens, we both lose-and Theo’s performance takes a hit, too.”
Sharon’s voice dropped, cold and clear. “Let me make this perfectly clear, Carter. If anyone’s performance is affected, it won’t be because of me. It’ll be because of Kelly.”
“I know,” Carter said quietly. “But this showcase means a lot to Theo. He’s your son. Are you really willing to hold your ground over pride and refuse to budge, even just a little? After the showcase, ask for any compensation you want.”
Theo stood nearby, his face tight with stress, his fists clenched at his sides.
Then, a low chuckle rolled through the crowd, smooth and mocking.
“Carter,” came Xavier’s voice. “Don’t guilt Sharon into backing down by using her role as a mother. The showcase matters to your son Theo-what, it doesn’t matter to my son Matty? And about your generous talk of compensation…”
He smiled arrogantly.
“I’m Xavier Cooper. You think I need your tenfold payout? Or whatever kind of ‘compensation’ you’re offering?”
Nate scoffed, sneering. “If you actually cared about this showcase, you wouldn’t have picked Sharon to perform with your son. Honestly, when you brought her in, I thought you’d already given up.”
Matty stepped forward, chin lifted. “You’re not allowed to talk about Sharon like that! Sharon is awesome!”
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Wendy arched a brow, voice laced with poison. “A phony like her thinks she can measure up to Sharon? What a joke. Where’s your shame?”
Nate exploded. “Unbelievable! I’ve met liars before, but none this shameless! Kelly graduated from Bell University, and you’re seriously saying she’s worse than some housewife?!”
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