?Chapter 1193:


    Her eyes locked onto a table by the window.


    There sat a girl with high twin pigtails, her features still soft with youth.


    She idly nudged a slice of salmon with her fork, her posture rxed yet edged with quiet defiance.


    Raegan drew a breath and approached. “Hi,” she said, her voice warm and open. “Mind if I join you?”


    The girl looked up. Her eyes were bright and clear, yet sharp with unspoken calction.


    Then Raegan saw it: around the girl’s neck gleamed the ne—Annie Crystal’s signature piece fromst year’s collection.


    Raegan had arranged for it to be delivered to the girl that morning—a calcted gesture meant to spark recognition, even a sense of kinship. And it worked.


    A faint smile touched the girl’s lips as she noticed Raegan’s lingering gaze. “Your taste is impable,dy,” she said lightly, dimples appearing. But her tone carried a thread of caution.


    Raegan reached for the chair across from her—


    “But you can’t sit here,” the girl cut in, her voice crisp.


    Raegan’s hand stilled midair.


    “I’m sorry—I can’t sit here?” she asked, her voice cooling.


    The girl arched a brow, her smirk turning sly. “Are you deaf? Need me to call a doctor for your ears?”


    The air between them snapped taut.


    Raegan’s mind raced. Why the rejection?


    This girl was wearing an Annie Crystal icon—proof of loyalty, admiration, even alliance.


    If she was truly connected to the brand, she should have weed the overture.


    Unless she didn’t recognize it.


    Let your mind wander with g?lnσν????s﹒??????


    “Or maybe she’s just a fake,” Raegan thought, lifting an inner brow.


    Still, she’de this far. She might as well test the waters.


    She softened her tone, forcing a polite smile. “Waiting for someone? Don’t worry, I won’t disturb you. Honestly, my arms are killing me from holding this tray, and I’ll be gone before your friend even arrives.”


    “I said no.” The girl’s voice was ice wrapped in silk. “I don’t likepany while I eat.” She flicked a finger toward the far end of the room. “There’s an empty table over there.”


    Then, with a mischievous glint, she added, “Unless… you’re trying to flirt with me? Sorry,dy—we’re really not a match.”


    Raegan’sposure cracked.


    This girl had zero manners.


    If this was how the so-called “Anti” behaved, then Kiley had been right all along—this couldn’t possibly be the real founder. Just some bratty imposter ying dress-up.


    Which meant… the truth might lie elsewhere. With Maia?


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