?Chapter 174:


    “What are you staring at, Tiffany?” A called out, her tone sharp and challenging. “Others might cower because you’re the wife of the wealthiest man in the city, but I certainly won’t! Today’s the day I expose you for who you really are.” With a sudden motion, A swung her hand, sshing the ss of red wine toward Marissa


    Despite her outward bravado, A was indeed intimidated by the status of Connor’s wife. However, she had grown ustomed to dominating Tiffany, and even with rumors of Tiffany gaining Connor’s favor, A couldn’t shake off her old belief that Tiffany was weak. Besides, A now depended on Melinda, who leaned on Aelfric, an influential figure in Doomsday Base. A convinced herself she had nothing to fear as long as she kept Melinda content


    Marissa, perceptive as ever, saw right through A’s transparent tactics. She sidestepped gracefully, allowing the red wine to sail harmlessly past her. Though she managed to avoid most of the ssh, a few droplets marred her white shirt, creating stark red blotches on the fabric


    “Oh!” eximed Chloe, feigning concern. “Tiffany, your shirt is ruined. Come, let’s go change it.”


    Marissa merely gave Chloe a quick nce and remained silent. Melinda, with a smirk, teased, “Tiffany, surely you have a dress on underneath that, don’t you? Why not remove your shirt and show us the fabulous dress Connor gifted you?”


    More to discover gα?ησνe?s?c?m


    With a serene smile, Marissa slowly turned to Melinda and responded, “Do you truly wish for me to remove my shirt? If I overshadow you and spoil your engagement party today, don’t im I am being cruel.” Melinda’s gaze darted to the hem of Marissa’s dress. Though modestly revealed, the fabric was clearly refined, much like her own attire


    Before Melinda could make sense of it, A scoffed. “Stop your pretense. You must be hiding a worn-out dress underneath, too embarrassed to show it!” Sansa added with a sneer, “I know your tricks, Tiffany. Always stirring trouble since your childhood. Wearing such a shoddy shirt on this significant day suggests you’re hiding something. Perhaps you’re concealing a cursed object meant for Miss Warren.”


    A supported her im. “Certainly. Your envy of the favor Miss Warren receives from the Daniels family is obvious. You must be carrying something to curse her. Now, we must see it. Remove your shirt!”


    Marissa found their theories increasingly ludicrous. To force her to undress and embarrass herself, they resorted to inventing absurd excuses. Yet, Marissa stayed calm, not sumbing to Sansa’s and A’s provocations. She faced Melinda again and inquired, “It’s your engagement party today. What’s your decision?” Secretly, Melinda clenched her fists, containing her frustration


    Marissa’sposure unsettled her, but after a moment of thought, Melinda convinced herself that her own attire must be superior. Melinda was adorned in a dress called Purple Angel, designed by Sara, valued at thirty million dors. Her ne alone was worth three million. In her eyes, Marissa was nopetition. Having scrutinized the visible part of Marissa’s dress, Melinda noted its striking resemnce to her own. She spected that Marissa might be wearing a counterfeit Purple Angel, cleverly concealed under a shirt to avoid directparison


    The notion that Connor’s wife might be exposed for wearing a fake at such a gathering thrilled Melinda. Such a scandal would ruin Marissa’s reputation among the elite forever


    With a malicious grin, Melinda said, “Since there are doubts about your integrity, the best way to clear your name is to remove your shirt right here!”


    “Very well,” responded Marissa calmly. Without hesitation, she stood up and began to unbutton her shirt…


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