Chapter 167
“Go ahead,” Sharon said.
Kelly held her gaze, her voice calm and deliberate. “If you lose, you’ll give me Shaluna.”
Wendy’s expression turned stormy in an instant. “Kelly, are you seriously addicted to stealing things that don’t belong to you?”
Shaluna, like the necklace around Kelly’s neck, had belonged to Sharon’s mother. But unlike the necklace, Shaluna was worth a hundred times more-both in monetary value and sentimental weight.
To be precise, it was priceless.
And Kelly knew exactly what she was doing.
If she lost, all she’d be doing was returning something that was never hers to begin with.
But if she won? She’d walk away with something extraordinary-without ever having lifted a finger to deserve it.
Kelly ignored Wendy completely, her eyes locked onto Sharon.
“Well? Do you have the guts, Sharon?”
“I do.” Sharon stopped Wendy from saying more. “There are enough people here as witnesses. No need to record or write anything down, right?”
Nate cut in with a sneer, “Just don’t go back on your word later.”
Time was short, and Sharon didn’t waste it arguing. She turned to Kelly. “The results will be based on the judges’ scores here. That fine with you?”
Kelly nodded confidently. “Perfectly fine.”
From the sidelines, Madeline spoke coldly. “Digging your own grave.”
Denise glanced at Sharon with something like pity.
Sharon gave a small nod. “Then it’s settled. Oh, one more thing-‘
”
Before she could finish, Kelly jumped in, her voice smug. “Sharon, don’t tell me you’re trying to back out now?”
The fact that Sharon had even agreed to the competition had already made Kelly feel triumphant. It couldn’t have gone better. Not only would she get to humiliate Sharon in front of everyone, she’d also walk away with Shaluna-cleanly, publicly, and legally.
It was the perfect double win.
But her satisfaction was short-lived. Sharon’s next words cut straight through it.
“Of course not.” Her gaze drifted down to Kelly’s dress. “But Kelly, since you ruined my dress, don’t you think it’s only fair to offer yours in return?”
Kelly froze. She hadn’t expected that to come back around.
Was Sharon trying to stall?
She hesitated. “Sharon, our body types aren’t the same. This dress was tailored specifically for me. Even if I gave it to you, it wouldn’t fit right. And besides, I’ve already worn it…”
“Carter said he’d have an assistant bring you a new one,” Sharon said smoothly. “Even better than the one you’re wearing now.”
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Chapter 167
“Why don’t you just pick one from the new selection?” Kelly shot back.
Sharon didn’t flinch. “So after everything, you still don’t want to give it up?”
Kelly frowned. “It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just that-”
“Forget it. Don’t bother explaining,” Sharon cut her off. “It’s late. No need to waste more time on this.”
She turned to Wendy, Xavier, and Matty. “Let’s go.”
25 BONUS
Wendy was still fuming, but she knew better than to drag things out now. With a cold huff, she followed Sharon to the door.
Kelly, meanwhile, was still quietly patting herself on the back for getting away with ruining Sharon’s dress without facing any real consequences-
Until Sharon suddenly grabbed a glass of juice from the table nearby and flung it straight into Kelly’s face.
“Ah!”
Caught completely off guard, Kelly took the full hit.
Sticky juice ran down her perfectly made-up face, soaking into her white dress and staining it a bold, unmistakable yellow.
Chunks of orange pulp clung visibly to the delicate fabric.
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