?Chapter 299:


    Trinity’s performance was convincing. Her polished act had the guests eating out of her hand. People around the room began murmuring, most of them assuming Hailee was just another woman chasing a big payout. The video made her look like a nobody from some sleepy street in Willow Lane. But standing in that upscale banquet hall, draped in Rosa, she exudedposure and poise. She didn’t just wear the look—she owned it.


    Now, the story was flipping. Some began to wonder if her onscreen persona had been just another act. Whispers circled. Everyone figured she’d snatch the check, thank Trinity with a smile, and disappear without another word.


    But Hailee stunned the room. She hurled the check straight at Trinity’s face, cold and deliberate.


    Trinity’s eyes widened in shock.


    Without missing a beat, Hailee raised her voice, every syble ringing through the room. “You think throwing money at me will make me stay quiet about your brother’s misdeeds? Never!”


    The crowd exploded with hushed voices, each whisper adding fuel to the fire.


    “What just happened?”


    “Wait—is Trinity trying to silence her? That check wasn’t for work?”


    “No way! Trinity’s always been the perfect sweetheart. What the hell is this?”


    Trinity couldn’t believe it. A woman like Hailee—someone no one had heard of—had the nerve to shrug off two hundred thousand like it was garbage.


    While Trinity scrambled toe up with a solution, Dunn marched over and pped a check worth five million into Hailee’s hand. He then shouted, “Hailee, just because we’re ying nice at the engagement party, don’t start thinking you’ve got the upper hand. I’m offering you fifty times your pay. Take the check and walk away, or you’ll wish you had.”


    Shock rippled through the room as every pair of eyes locked on Dunn. Instead of subtlety, he went full-blown drama—waving the check in one hand and brandishing threats with the other.


    Whispers flew as attention shifted back to Hailee. Everyone waited to see if she’d fold or fire back. Five million dors wasn’t just a hefty offer. It was enough to rattle.


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    Anyone who didn’t already have a fortune tucked away would find that kind of cash unimaginable. For the average person, five million felt like a fantasy—something they would never see in an entire lifetime. If Hailee had been the type to fold under pressure, the deal would have shut her up without a second thought.


    All eyes were on her. Hailee nced at the check and then shot Dunn a look so sharp it could cut ss.


    Dunn squirmed under Hailee’s stare, his voice dropping to a growl. “Quit the act, Hailee! Five million could set your dad up with a whole chain of spaghetti joints. Take the money and walk out smiling. Don’t, and I’ll make damn sure you regret it!”


    Before he could say another word, Hailee’s hand flew. The pnded with a loud smack.


    “Oh my!” Gasps swept through the crowd like a wave. No one had everid a hand on Dunn in public—especially not a woman.


    A bright welt bloomed across Dunn’s cheek, proof that Hailee didn’t pull back.


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