Chapter 8
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Lisa put on her most innocent expression and explained, “Cyril, hold up. I’m just looking out for Trina. If she flaunts this thing in public, especially around people who know its worth, it’s gonna stir up gossip, and next thing you know, the cops are involved.
“Better to sort this out now. If she slipped up, you can cover for her here. No one’s gonna say a word out of respect for you”
Cynil studied her for a moment, then said firmly. The bracelet’s not fake”
Lisa didn’t catch his words over the nose
se in the room. She leaned in closer, asking, “What?”
Before Cyril could repeat himself. Trina set down her wine glass and, with a cool demeanor, said, “What if I told you it’s real?”
Before Lisa could react, Nancy butted in, her lips curling in disdain. “Yeah, right! How the hell would a shop girl like you ever come across something real like that? Even if you had, you’re not the type to get your hands on Clarissa’s crown jewel. You’re dreaming”
Lane chimed in with a giggle, “Exactly! Now, if you told us Mr. Gross over here borrowed it for you, maybe we’d believe it. But why the hell would he bother to get something so valuable for someone like you?
The room burst into laughter, the mocking tone thick in the air. But Cyril’s anger was building, his control slipping. As the laughter reached a crescendo, he suddenly roared, “Shut the bell up, all of your
He strode over to Trima, his sharp gaze cutting across the room, instantly silencing everyone. I can personally guarantee that Trina’s bracelet is the real deal, he declared.
The room collectively gasped, all eyes locking onto Trina’s wrist. No one dared challenge Cyril’s word. If he said it was real, then it had to be real. They were stunned that Trina had such powerful connections.
Meanwhile, Truman, who had been the topic of discussion more than once, remained unfazed, watching the scene play out like it was someone else’s drama. Aside from Trina, he was the only one who knew the full story
Lisa’s face paled, and her eagerness to watch the slow had given way to anxiety, “Cyril, why are you defending her?” she exclamed. “Have you forgotten how she betrayed you?”
But Cyril didn’t even glance in her direction,
Lisa wasn’t the only one shocked and displeased by CynTs sudden intervention. Trim glared at him, her voice dripping with sarcasms. “Mr. Banks, you really are everywhere, aren’t you? Why do you always have to bust into my business?”
Cyril’s breath caught at her provocation, and he shot a glance at Truman, who remained aloof beside her.
He then returned. “You should be grateful I still care enough to interfere. If you were counting on your new flame here to speak up for you, you’d be torn apart by gossip with no one to pick up the pieces.”
Trina shot back, “Thanks for your fake concern, but even if I were torn apart, it wouldn’t be your problem” She couldn’t help but think, ‘And let’s not forget whose companion started this whole fiasco”
She added, her bun
bane ley,” “You can go back to being someone else’s knight in shining armor now. I’ll handle my own allixirs
Cyril felt like he was about to explode, his chest heaving w
with anger before he finally said. “Fine. Let’s see how you clear your name without my help
Trina turned to Lisa, ignoring Nancy’s disdainful glance. I’ve already answered your first question,” she said, raising her right hand. This bracelet is indeed Clarissa’s prized possession, T&M As for the second..
She paced calmly around the room before facing the crowd. “Why do you all assume it must be stolen or borrowed”
Trina scanned the room, her gaze finally resting on Lisa’s pale face. “Why couldn’t it be mine?” she asked calmly.
The room erupted in gasps of disbelief, with even Cyril looking stunned. Someone went as far as to record a video, sending it to her assistant with onders to investigate Trina’s background
Nancy gathered her courage and demandel “What makes you think it’s yours? What proof do you have?”
Her friends chimed in, echoing her sentiments.
Faced with their sker
skepticism, Trina remained perfectly calm. She dropped another bombshell. “Because I am Clarissa. I founded the brand” The room erupted into chaos. Lisa was the first to react, shouting, “What nonsense are you spouting! I know you better than that.” She turned ad Cyril seeking an ally. “Cyril, you know her best, right? Say something!”
11:42 AM
Chapter 8
Cyril was still in shock but eventually looked at Trina with a complex expression before addressing Lisa, Lisa, you’ve gone too far tonight. You shouldn’t have put her in such a difficult position in public”
Lisa shook her head in disbelief, tears welling up “Cyril, what are you saying? How can you misunderstand me like this? I explained that I wanted to give Trina a chance to clear things up”
Cyril finally turned to look at her, seeing her eyes brimming with tears. Recalling moments from their past, he swallowed his harsh words. “Don’t cry,” he said gently. “You’ll smudge your makeup
For the first time, Lisa felt Cyril’s indifference. In the past, he would have surely comforted her if he saw her cry.
Lisa shot a venomous glare at Trina, her resentment growing. If not for Trina’s silver tongue, Cyril wouldn’t be treating her so coldly.
She ignored Cyril’s wa
warning and joined the crowd in demanding. Trina, where’s your proof? Do you expect us to believe you just because you say
Trina smirked, anticipating Lisa’s refusal to back down. She gave Lisa a disdainful glance before calmly removing the bracelet from her wrist and holding it up for all to see.
“Everyone knows that Clarissa’s prized possession is “T&M, but few know why I named it that,” she said. “The T is obviously the initial of my name, Trina. As for the “M“.”
She paused, catching Cyril’s puzzled gaze. “It stands for mystery, signifying the hidden identity of its creator”
Trina’s words were a fabrication, of course. In reality, she had created “T&M” on the day she met Cyril. The sun had been shining brightly when Cyril walked into her shop, his cold, composed demeanor and strikingly handsome features instantly captivating her
Trina had fallen in love with him at that very moment. So “M” was for “moment.” That was the story behind T&M.
AD
