Bethany quietly stepped back, keeping her distance from Zoe. She did. not want to be associated with
Zoe now that she had made a fool of
herself.
It dawned on the press. They gave Zoe strange looks.
âItâs absurd that Ms. Hoffman pointed her finger at someone else.
when she wasnât even a VIP member of AX.â
âShe shouldâve minded herself instead of others.â
âJust because she owns a few jewelry pieces doesnât mean sheâs an
expert. She talks big in front of the brandâs CEO, but he probably
doesnât even know who she is.
âTsk, tsk. She certainly doesnât have Ms. Thompsonâs refinement and
grace.â
âWhat did they say?! The horrible media listed me, a Hoffman, beneath
Bella.â Zoe nearly lost it.
She had never been so humiliated.
Without sparing Zoe a glance, Bella walked away, sharing a good
conversation with Vincent and Ada.
The press followed them, leaving Zoe all on her own. The shame
washed the color off her face.
âOh, no, Zoe!â
Bethany took quick paces to her and grabbed her arm. She murmured
nervously, âJustin is here!â
âJustin? W-Where is he?â Zoe sweated bullets.
âHeâs not too far behind you, and heâs looking in this direction. I donât know when he got here or how
much he saw.â
Zoe gasped and stiffly turned her head.
In the shadows, Justin looked coldly at her from the corner.
Zoe felt strangled by an invisible pair of hands.
Her breathing, heartbeat, and brain threatened to stop working all at
once.
âJ-Justinâ¦â
Furrowing his brows, Justin shook his head emotionlessly and walked away without looking back. Ian
followed him.
As a cold shiver ran down her spine, Zoe staggered backward.
Justinâs gaze cut through her, severing any ties between them.
Zoe cried in the washroom. âSob, sob, sob⦠Damn it⦠Why canât the
bitch go to hell? I wish a car could run her over.â
With her hands over her face, Zoe wailed until her makeup smeared.
Her black eyeliner smudged all over her face.
She cried, not just because Bella ruined her socially.
It was also because Justin caught her giving Bella hell, and Zoe could
not talk her way out of it.
âI know, right? Why canât God strike her with lightning?â Bethany ranted with Zoe, but in secret, she
was glad.
âWhy did you just stand there and watch? Why didnât you stand up for me?â Zoe took her anger out on
Bethany.
âI-Iâm slow. I didnât know what to say. Youâve been the one to give me ideas. What can I do? I wouldnât
have waited until now to deal with
Bella if I was smart enough,â Bethany explained.
Zoe wept and asked resentfully, âHave you gotten a reply from Xena Gordon yet? Still no update?
Sheâs useless.â
âTake it easy. Good things come to those who wait. The woman hates Bella with all her heart. She will
do everything to help us.â
Bethanyâs phone buzzed.
She pulled it out for a look and smiled wickedly. She waved the phone
aat Zoe. âSpeak of the devil! Xenaâs calling.â
2 Zoe gritted her teeth menacingly. âThis time, I must make Bella fall
indrom grace for sure.â