Lincoln, seeing the scene, immediately rushed over to check on Rosemary, his face filled with concern.
He instinctively turned to glare at me in anger.
“Laura, Rosemary injured her leg in the accident today. Why would you push her?”
Realizing his tone was too harsh, he was about to backtrack when his eyes landed on the gown I was wearing.
Recognizing it instantly as the custom–made dress his uncle had ordered for his fiancée, he rushed toward me and shouted angrily.
“Laura, this dress was made for my uncle’s fiancée! Stop making trouble!”
“You have no right to wear it tonight! Take it off immediately!”
Seeing my expression remain unmoved, Lincoln abruptly stood up and began commanding the store attendants to forcibly remove the gown from my body.
In the chaos, I tripped over the hem of the gown and fell to the floor, my back exposed.
I turned my head to look at the man who once couldn’t bear to see me with even a small scratch.
Now, he stood coldly by, watching as others humiliated me without lifting a finger.
Just then, amidst the whispers and commotion, a tall figure pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Jasper, dressed in a custom–tailored suit, strode in with an air of authority, his sharp gaze locking onto Lincoln as he
barked,
“Lincoln, who taught you to treat my fiancée with such disrespect?”
Jasper’s imposing presence and noble demeanor instantly drew everyone’s attention.
The attendants froze, their hands releasing my gown mid–motion.
Even Rosemary was stunned, her gaze shyly fixed on Jasper.
It had been years since I last saw Jasper, and my memories of him were of a quiet, gentle neighbor who disliked eating his meals.
But now, as our eyes met across the room, I instinctively clutched the torn gown tighter to cover the scar on my waist.
To my surprise, Jasper immediately walked over to me, helping me up and draping his jacket over my shoulders.
“Laura, are you okay?” he asked, his voice calm but tinged with concern.
I shook my head and was about to thank him when Lincoln quickly interjected, speaking with deference.
17.2%
Chapter 5
“Uncle, I’m so sorry. Laura didn’t know any better and wore the gown you had custom–made for your fiancée.”
“In the process of removing it, it accidentally got torn. I’ll personally compensate you for a new one…”
Rosemary chimed in, eager to support Lincoln.
“Uncle, please don’t blame Laura. She probably just has a habit of liking things that belong to others…”
“After all, today is your welcome banquet. Let’s not let this spoil your mood!”
Jasper responded with a cold laugh.
“Do I know you? Don’t think you can call me ‘uncle‘–I don’t entertain random nobodies clinging to me.”
“And as for the gown I had custom–made for my fiancée, it’s not your place to comment on it!”
Since childhood, Lincoln had always feared his cold and imposing uncle.
Rosemary’s face turned pale, and Lincoln quickly stepped forward, attempting to speak on her behalf.
“Uncle, Rosemary is my personal secretary. Laura doesn’t understand proper etiquette, so she often relies on her to manage things.”
“Isn’t that right, Laura?” Lincoln turned to me, trying to pull me into his explanation.
But I ignored the pair of hypocrites, choosing silence instead.
Unable to suppress a sneeze, I tightened Jasper’s jacket around myself.
Seeing my refusal to respond, Lincoln grew visibly anxious and reached out toward me.
Jasper’s gaze turned icy, and in an instant, a dozen bodyguards surrounded Lincoln.
Declaring his authority, Jasper wrapped an arm protectively around me and led me away.
“Lincoln! Where are the manners and integrity the Winston family taught you?”
“You carry on with your messy entanglements with your secretary, but you will show proper respect to your aunt!”
