Chapter 15
Hazel's POV
The desk in front of me was buried under stacks of certificates—Hazel's certificates. They were proof of her endless pursuits, scattered across every field imaginable. Fashion. Business. Music. Culinary. Design. Psychology. A jack of all trades, or perhaps… just a desperate girl searching for belonging.
My head ached the more I stared at them.
What do I really want in life?
Should I follow the same scattered path? Or carve something new?
I pressed my fingers into my temple. The dull throb wasn't just from overthinking—it was also from the torment of the last three days. My first period was finally over, but the memory of that torture still lingered. The cramps, the weakness, the way my body betrayed me.
And to think… I would endure that pain every month from now on.
The thought alone left me with a sharp headache.
The door creaked open.
Anna swept inside like a burst of sunlight, dressed neatly, her face glowing with mischief and joy.
"Sister-in-law!" she exclaimed, hurrying to me with open arms. "I heard you're going for an audition. Don't worry, I'll guide you! I'm a B-class celebrity and still rising. I'll make sure you shine."
Before I could react, she threw herself onto the bed and into my embrace. My body stiffened instinctively, but I quickly calmed myself. I'd come to understand Anna. Her enthusiasm wasn't invasive—it was simply her nature.
Still, I couldn't help but tease her.
"Still rising? Isn't Luca an entertainment CEO? Shouldn't you already be a star?" I flicked her forehead playfully.
"Ouch!" she groaned dramatically, then whispered, "I don't want to be overly popular. If I were, my private life would be torn apart by the public. I don't want that. No one even knows Luca is my brother, and I want to keep it that way. My life should stay mine."
Her reasoning surprised me. For someone so young and bubbly, she was remarkably self-aware.
"That's… reasonable," I admitted softly.
But before the moment could stretch further, she jumped up, her eyes sparkling with renewed energy.
"Brother told me you were ill, so I postponed our shopping spree. But since you're okay now… let's go have fun!" she declared, hands on her hips.
I groaned inwardly. Shopping with Anna was like entering a battlefield—she never tired.
But no matter what, Anna wasn't one to take "no" for an answer.
Sighing, I went to the wardrobe and picked a dress. Val had quietly filled my closet with a few things he thought I'd need. My fingers brushed over the fabric with mild appreciation before I carried it to the bathroom.
Today will be exhausting, I thought grimly.
---
Hours later, my legs felt like lead. I finally dropped into a chair, massaging my calves while Anna fluttered about like a tireless butterfly.
How could one girl have this much energy?
I distracted myself with my phone, scrolling lazily until I heard her raised voice.
"I'm already paying for the dress! What gives you the right to snatch it from me? I spent hours finding this for my sister-in-law!"
My head snapped up.
I rushed toward the commotion, my pulse quickening. A crowd had already gathered, circling two women locked in a heated argument.
Anna stood firm, her fists clenched.
Opposite her was Dawn Hilliard.
Of course.
"What do you know?" Dawn sneered. "This dress costs millions. Leave it and find something else—something more… suitable. Maybe less than a thousand. You might find it on the street."
Gasps and whispers spread.
I stepped forward, my smirk deliberate. "The fact that you know where to buy cheap clothes means you must be a regular shopper there. I applaud your honesty, Dawn."
Her eyes widened before narrowing. "Hazel, you—"
"What? Am I lying? Better cheap clothes than stolen ones. Surprising, really, to see you paying for something. Aren't you usually just stealing?"
Anna's lips curved upward, her face glowing with triumph as she stepped proudly beside me.
Dawn's expression faltered, her anger rising, but she quickly forced a mocking smile.
"Still delusional, even after Francis abandoned you?"
The crowd erupted into murmurs.
My smirk deepened.
So this was how it worked—cheap theatrics, like the heroines in those Webnovel dramas, forever basking in 'face-slapping.'
I touched my hair idly, letting her dig her own grave.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" she pressed, her tone sharp. "And this little sissy calling you sister-in-law—don't tell me you gave yourself to an old man? Or perhaps her real father? Francis has been so good to me. And this dress? It's what I'll wear to his mother's birthday. Don't try to stop me."
Sneers and gossip rose all around. Dawn basked in it, smug and provocative.
I only smirked.
I won't slap her face directly. Not yet. Let her hang herself. I'll use her arrogance to build my own fame.
"Ooh, Dawn," I purred, "this is the only dress Anna chose for me. For my audition with Zelda Entertainment. Don't make things hard for me."
Her expression shifted. For a moment, her smile stiffened. Then she scoffed loudly.
"You? A celebrity? A vile woman like you?"
Beside me, Anna's face fell slightly, but her faith didn't waver.
"For old times' sake, can't you let me have it? You're already popular. You can find another one. Besides, this dress fits my theme for the day perfectly."
Dawn laughed cruelly. "Old times? I don't even know you. Don't dream of climbing the social ladder with your flawed skills."
With a sneer, she yanked the dress from Anna and strutted to the counter.
I didn't stop her. Instead, I walked calmly out of the hall.
Moments later, once Dawn was gone, I returned. Anna stared at me in confusion.
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
I smiled, brushing her hair affectionately. "That dress isn't the original. On its tag, I saw Luca E. Who do you think has the real one?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Brother Luca!"
"Exactly. Why pay when we can have the real thing? We'll take it from him without spending a dime—and use the money we saved to treat ourselves to dinner. That's the blessing of having an outstanding family member."
Anna giggled, but soon her brow furrowed. "But how will you prove that she's wearing a fake?"
I leaned closer, whispering slyly. "Why do you think I mentioned the audition? Dawn is Dawn. She can't resist attention. She'll come for sure, desperate to shine as the most beautiful in the room. And when people see that their dazzling celebrity is wearing the same dress as the 'villainess Hazel'—what do you think will happen?"
Understanding lit Anna's eyes, and she gasped. "You're brilliant! And so scheming."
I chuckled, linking my arm with hers as we headed back toward the car. "Being a villainess isn't so bad, Anna. No need for fake smiles. No need to please everyone. My name is already stained. What's one more rumor? Even if I beat someone bloody, it won't change anything."
I tilted my head, smirking. Such recklessness suits me.