Chapter 5

I paused at the entrance of the banquet hall, standing opposite them across the crowd. People were starting to notice, whispering around me.

"Wow, how awkward. The replacement and the original."

"A replica can never be as good as the original. One's by his side; the other's entering alone."

"Such a rich family's drama, and I'm seeing it live."

I was considering leaving to save face, but Adeline spotted me through the crowd.

"What a coincidence, dear Lydia! You like this design too? Finn said it was custom-made for me. I thought there was only one."

Up close, I noticed differences. Her dress had gemstones on the skirt hem, sparkling like a starry river under the banquet hall lights. Finn looked flustered, avoiding my eyes.

Was he embarrassed for making a scene or surprised the dress matched his Adeline's exactly?

Whatever the reason, it wasn't my concern anymore.

I raised my wine glass with a graceful smile: "What a coincidence. Mr. Finn likes it, but I think it's just okay."

Before I could take a sip, Adeline suddenly stumbled, spilling all her red wine on my skirt.

The wine glass shattered, cutting my skin. My white skirt bloomed with dark red stains, whether from wine or blood, I couldn't tell.

The culprit collapsed tearfully into Finn's arms: "I'm sorry, sister. I must have stepped on something and twisted my ankle. I'm really sorry. Do you have another dress?"

I lifted my skirt to avoid the wet fabric sticking to my legs. I have a cleanliness habit, and the dress clinging to me was uncomfortable. I said coldly: "Adeline, is this necessary?

"I hadn't even seen this dress before wearing it.

"No one's competing with you for anything."

Perhaps my rare cold attitude caught her off guard. She paused, a barely noticeable smug smile on her lips:

"Today's the company's annual party. Calm down, don't make a scene. It's about the company reputation. After the party, you can hit or scold me all you want! I'm just clumsy. Sister, why don't you hit me?"

She closed her eyes, grabbing my hand to slap herself with. She held on so tight I couldn't break free.

Before my hand could reach her face, Finn's hand grabbed my wrist.

"Lydia, enough! Don't be so harsh. Adeline didn't do it on purpose. Learn to consider the bigger picture like Adeline. Think about the company. She's apologized; let's end it here. I'll send ten more dresses to your house tomorrow for you to choose from!"

I laughed in frustration, pulling my hand free with all my strength, slashing my skirt with a wine glass shard.

Rip—

The dirty fabric tore off cleanly, transforming the cumbersome long skirt into a brand-new short one.

"Hopefully, you two can think more about the company."

I tossed the dirty fabric at their faces and turned to leave.

"Enough, stop being stubborn. I know what you're up to. Don't worry, with my parents backing you, your position is secure for now. They want me to bring you home tomorrow. Ask for whatever compensation you want."

He rambled on, oblivious to Adeline's increasingly displeased expression.

"But we're already divorced."

Every tear on my skirt was my creation. On me, it's the original.

Under the torn dress, my leg bled from the glass cuts. It hurt, but I stood tall.

I'll never bow to Finn again.

"Finn, whether as legal spouses or work colleagues, we have no connection anymore.

"You should call me boss now."

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Adeline's eyes sparkled at the words, and she gripped Finn's arm more tightly, though she quickly masked her excitement:

"Please, don't be upset with Finn..."