?Chapter 617:


    With her lips pursed tightly, Cathy’s eyes remained locked on the shimmering phoenix hairpin in Elena’s possession.


    Cathy was poised to storm off when Monica’s voice halted her retreat. “Cathy, what’s the rush to leave today? With Helena present, there’s something I’ve been itching to rify. Why don’t we settle it here, in front of everyone?”


    Cathy halted, casting a guarded nce at Monica. “What do you want to say?”


    Monica’s lips curled into a sly smirk. “This is about you.”


    A frown marred Cathy’s face, a chilling premonition washing over her. As expected, Monica pressed on. “You’ve been parading around as Helena’s protégé. But does Helena even acknowledge having a protégé like you?”


    A jolt of panic surged through Cathy, her eyes flickering with fear. Truth be told, she had never met Helena, much less apprenticed under her. She had merely dropped Helena’s name to add weight to her own, knowing full well that being linked to Helena boosted the appeal of her designs.


    Cathy’s mind whirled, desperate for a usible excuse. But before she could concoct one, Yvette chimed in, pping her thigh dramatically, “Oh, that’s right! Cathy, isn’t Helena supposed to be your mentor? Why on earth are you going up against her?”


    The realization dawned on Yvette. If Helena truly was Cathy’s mentor, why would Cathy challenge her? Something didn’t add up.


    The audience immediately caught on. Indeed, was Cathy really Helena’s protégé? What sort of protégé would dare to challenge their own mentor? Cathy’s facade was crumbling—she wasn’t Helena’s protégé at all.


    Yvette, ever oblivious, twisted the knife deeper. “Cathy, can’t you even recognize your own mentor?”


    Cathy could hardly resist the urge to strangle the infuriating Yvette. She narrowed her eyes into a sharp re and hissed, “Be quiet!”


    Yvette was about to respond but stopped when she noticed the intensity in Cathy’s re, quickly closing her mouth.


    “Let’s hear it, Cathy. Why don’t you answer Yvette? I thought you were best friends,” Monica eagerly chimed in, clearly savoring the unfolding drama. She had been patiently waiting for the perfect moment to expose Cathy’s lies. Lately, Cathy had been parading around, iming to be Elena’s protégé to attract customers to her jewelry business. As the old saying goes, “Pridees before a fall.”


    Cathy’s lips pressed into a thin line, her breathing in shallow gasps as her mind spun with chaotic thoughts. The disdainful stares from the crowd stung like physical blows, burning her cheeks with their intensity.


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    “Unbelievable, pretending to be Helena’s protégé!”


    “I’m disgusted that I ever shopped at her store. It’s sickening!”


    “She is utterly shameless.”


    “She pretends to be Helena’s protégé, all while secretly working against her. What a game she’s ying.”


    “How bold of her to im she’s Helena’s protégé.”


    “Leave the jewelry business now!”


    Cathy’s teeth clenched so tightly they nearly cracked. When had these insignificant people gained the right to judge her? She raised her eyes to meet Elena’s, her expression free of unease, convinced she had done nothing wrong.


    With confidence, Cathy exined, “I never said I was Helena’s protégé. If there’s any confusion, it’s on them, not me.”


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