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Chapter 7

With a casual quip, Annie effortlessly steered Selena’s accusation about her plastic surgery into a light–hearted joke, cleverly distancing herself from the situation.

Now, Selena was complete Muck in a dilemma. She could confess to intentionally badmouthing

part

Annie to make amends, but that would only fail to arnish Annie’s reputation and made herself at

of the jest. Or she could firmly believe that Antic had indeed gone through cosmetic procedures, and yet her counter of “Slandering is illegal” would only embarrass herself. After all, it was still uncertain who was the slanderer.

Selena promptly glanced over at Jessica and Yolanda, seeking help.

Jessica wasn’t about to let Annie steal the spotlight at her own birthday bash. With a touch of reproach, she remarked, ‘Annie, Selena is a guest here. Your behavior isn’t exactly polite. Everyone knew Annie was brought up in the countryside and lacked refined manners. It was normal for her to be a bit impolite.

Annie promptly apologized, “Sorry, Jessica.”

Jessica breathed a sigh of relief. She had been puzzled by Annie’s sudden shift in behavior, but it seemed like Annie had merely capitalized on a moment of quick wit. Smiling, she declared, “Since it’s my birthday today, let me handle this. Annie, applogize to Selena, and that should settle things.

Selena started it by throwing words, but Annie was asked to apologize. It was clear as day that Jessica was playing favorites way too much.

Annie’s lips curved into a sincere smile. “Sorry, Jessica, I might not get all the rules down like you do. In my hometown, if someone messes with us, we make sure to fight back. Bowing too much might mean we can’t stand tall again. I never imagined that here, you’re expected to offer yourself up for more stomping after being bullied.”

Annie didn’t utter a single harsh word, yet Jessica felt a burn on her face. Wasn’t this pretty much implying that she couldn’t distinguish right from wrong? Adding insult to injury, Annie didn’t mind. calling herself a hick, but even country folks value honor, while the high society individuals effortlessly shift their principles.

For a moment, many eyes shot Jessica disapproving looks.

Yolanda felt her blood boil and hurried to defend Jessica. “Annie, you’ve gone too far!”

Selena, eagle–eyed, spotted the sparkly diamond earrings on Annie’s cars and added, “Exactly! She leans on the Sander family for support, and when she needed accessories for her attire, Yolanda kindly lent her cherished diamond earrings. But how does she respond? Clearly, she doesn’t consider Jessica and Yolanda as family. Is that how a decent person acts?”

Yolanda’s expression changed instantly, and she urgently grabbed Selena’s arm, whispering, “That’s enough!”

Selena was confused. “What’s up with you? She treats you like that, and you still won’t let me speak

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Are you talking about this, Ms, Gale Annie castially revealing her delicate earlobes and a pair of expens

Selena sneered, arms crossed, “Or else? If you can’t just plain embarrassing. We would never stoop so lo

Volanda’s face grew gloomier. “That’s enough, Selen

“Why do you always take Annie’s side? Selena was defend Yolanda.

Annie seemed puzzled. “What were you saying, Ms. belonged to me.”

“Yours?” Selena, who had been planning to take this. I couldn’t be true. I’ve seen Yolanda wear those dia

where she

got them!

Annie continued slowly, “I have the purchase receip custom–made, my name is engraved on the carring you can ask Yolanda,

She then looked towards Yolanda, who was trying telling the truth, Yolanda?”

“…” Yolanda stuttered, avoiding eye contact with ev thousands of needles,

Selena frowned, “What’s going on, Yolanda? Didn’t)

“Enough, Selena, Jessica interjected.

“But…” Selena hesitated.

Jessica lowered her voice. “We’ll get back at her late pushing, Annie would be the only one to come out

“Wow, Annie’s really something, isn’t she?” Donald earbuds. He had hacked into all the Sanders reside banquet. Naturally, he saw those prim heiresses, us Annie stayed cool as a cucumber, not even a flicker

“Sharp–tongued and cunning, Jackson smirked, hi underestimated her before.

Donald’s mischievous chuckle sounded through th on Annie. Got a crush on her, huh?”

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Jackson raised hilk tyre casually and retorted. “If you had a poisonous snake nearby, would you keep an eye out and sy alert

“Sure thing! What if it sheaks up and bites me out of nowhere?” Donald responded.

“Would you then fall for that venomous snake?” Jackson prodded.

“Am I crazy?” Donald blurt out.

Jackson shrugged. “That’s it.”

Donald looked puzzled, clearly not catching on.

Just then, a hearty cheer rang out from the entrance,

Donald explained, “It seems Jeremy’s showed up. Tsk, check out how hyped those girls are. Clueless bunch. If you weren’t dodging the spotlight, you’d definitely outshine him!”

Jackson smirked nonchalantly. But suddenly, something struck him–Annie admired Jeremy, and it was common knowledge all around Betrico.

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