?Chapter 297:


    At Lucas’s observation, Merlin turned sharply toward him…


    Merlin parted his lips to speak—but the words evaporated before they formed. Damn it. That familiar sensation welled up again. Whenever Hailee provoked something inside him, it felt as if he were fracturing, his mind locking up—and now even his memory was slipping away. Lucas hovered nearby, silent until the pause stretched too long. “Mr. kely, do you need anything?”


    Merlin paused, searching for the thought that had fled him—and gave up. With a tight line pressing his lips, he swung back to the screen, his attention consumed once more by the scarlet figure pulsing across it. In the banquet hall, every gaze snapped to Hailee as she strode forward. “I’m here,” Hailee announced, her voice ringing through the room. “I am the one you’ve all been so eager to see!”


    Boris, who’d been staring nkly at the screen, jerked upright at her voice. His eyes locked onto her, redness ring as if something lodged in his throat, his Adam’s apple trembling.


    Hester, standing rigid beside Boris, snapped. She stormed down the stage, teeth clenched. “Hailee—did you do this? Did you hack the big screen?”


    Hailee, a good half-head taller than Hester, zed before the crowd like living me—while Hester’s white dress made her seem pale and wan.


    The earlier fear had left Hester’s hair tousled and herposure in tatters. By contrast, Hailee stood transformed: serene, frigid, and razor-sharp, regarding Hester without a word as though she were a queen observing a trembling jester.


    Fury boiled in Hester’s chest. “Hailee, you wretch!” she shouted. “How dare you ruin my engagement celebration? Have you forgotten your ce?” In her world,moners existed only to endure abuse in silence, and now this lowlife was daring to disgrace her at her own party.


    Hester’s hand shot up, poised to strike Hailee until the glitter of Hailee’s Rosa gown and jewels caught her eye. This ordinary girl had poured all her savings into Boris’s cruel game, so how had she suddenly acquired luxury brands? A hidden benefactor, no doubt. Only that could exin Hailee’s audacity.


    Boris shared the same thought and felt a stab of jealousy twist his heart. He strode down the stage and closed the distance between them, voice low and sharp. “Hailee, who provided your clothes and jewelry?”


    Hailee lifted her chin, lips curving into a cold, mocking smile. “And what’s it to you?” she replied, her tone icy.


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    Boris’s hand at his side clenched tighter.


    In that instant, Dunn lunged forward. “Who let you crash this engagement party? You weren’t invited—leave immediately!”


    Watching Boris, Dunn, and Hester bristle, Trinity finally connected the dots. The footage on the big screen wasn’t a prank—it was proof of their cruel collusion to humiliate Hailee.


    Hailee was resplendent in Rosa’s brand-new line, pieces so exclusive that even Trinity had never seen them before. Only someone with direct ess to thetest collection could wear those designs. A sudden realization struck Trinity, and she pivoted to Elliana, who had been lurking at the edge of the crowd, absorbing every moment. Trinity closed the distance and whispered sharply, “Elliana, did you provide Hailee’s clothes and jewelry?”


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