Xia Ling froze, then quickly stood up. "Sister, what nonsense are you spouting? How could my dress be fake? Do you think I would ever wear a counterfeit?"
For a socialite, being caught in a fake was a disgrace that could spark endless whispers in their circle—a humiliation that lingered for years.
Xia Xiaofu's lips curved in a cool smile as she pointed to the buttons on Xia Ling's gown. "CC's buttons are embroidered with gold thread. Yours? Silver."
Startled, Xia Ling lifted her cuff to check. Her face turned pale when she saw it—silver thread.
Gasps rippled around the table.
"Lingling, then this dress of yours is… a fake?""Oh, Lingling, that's a real shame. If you can't afford the CC series, that's fine. But why stoop so low as to wear a counterfeit?"
Xia Xiaofu's gaze shifted lazily, settling on Yara Lu. "Miss Lu, didn't you give Xia Ling this dress? How curious. Our kind, generous Miss Lu… handing her best friend a fake. How shocking."
Yara's expression stiffened. She hadn't known the gown was counterfeit. The CC "Fairy Leaf" collection had sold out ages ago, so she had turned to a reseller. Clearly, she'd been duped.
"Lingling, I swear I didn't know," Yara hurried to explain. "I thought it was genuine."
But Xia Ling's eyes were already rimmed red with humiliation. She had flaunted the gown all evening, basking in admiration, only for the truth to explode in her face. Instinctively, her eyes darted toward Jin Han—the man she wanted most to impress.
Jin Han's gaze, however, wasn't on her. It rested coldly on the counterfeit she wore, his expression distant and dismissive.
The shame was unbearable.
Xia Ling shoved Yara aside and bolted out of the hall.
"Lingling!" Yara called after her, frozen in place.
The other socialites exchanged looks, some hiding their laughter, others shaking their heads.
"What's wrong with Miss Lu? Buying fakes to trick her best friend?""I heard she begged Xiao Foye to design her wedding gown and was rejected. Maybe this fake is her revenge—or her only option."
Yara's cheeks burned crimson, then drained to chalk-white. She had never been so humiliated. Her glare shot across the table, landing on Xia Xiaofu like a dagger.
Xia Xiaofu only arched a brow, her red lips curving in a faint, careless smile, as if she were the very picture of innocence. Then, with a graceful turn, she walked away.
Yara bit down on her lip hard enough to taste blood. Twice tonight, Xia Xiaofu had trampled her pride. She swore this humiliation would be repaid.
Later that evening, as the crowd dispersed, Nathaniel Fu and Jin Han lingered behind with drinks.
Nathaniel swirled his glass, giving Jin Han a sidelong glance. "So… it's true then? You really haven't consummated your marriage with that beautiful wife of yours?"
Jin Han adjusted his glasses and looked back at him. "What do you think?"
Nathaniel smirked. "Judging by your face, I'd say you did."
Jin Han's lips curved faintly as he tipped back his glass. "Yes. I did."
His mind flickered back to that night. The delicate flower pinned beneath him, tears streaking down her cheeks as she fought him with every ounce of strength. He had taken her—brutally, almost cruelly.
And then, just as he shifted to press deeper, she had kicked him hard. The little wildcat had sent him tumbling off the bed.
Feral. Untamed. And unforgettable.
A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips.
"I saw that Celia earlier," Jin Han said suddenly, his tone casual yet probing.
Nathaniel, in the middle of a drag from his cigarette, paused. Jin Han chuckled. "I didn't realize you were into that type—the aloof beauty, untouchable like a fairy."
Nathaniel stubbed out his half-burned cigarette, his jaw tightening. He downed the rest of his drink in one swallow. "Why bring her up? It's over."
Meanwhile, Celia slipped away to the restroom. She had no intention of returning to the card table. Instead, she planned to retreat straight to her room.
But as she walked past a side corridor, hushed voices drifted to her ears.
"Did you put the drug in Mr. Fu's glass?"
Her steps halted instantly.