Chapter 17 Tables Turned
“As I said… Wait, w-what?” Queenie opened her eyes wide. “W-What do you mean, President Yates?”
Zachary walked to Nicole’s side and defended her before every observing eye. “This Nicole lady, who’s standing right beside me, is F&M Apparel’s one and only Chief Designer, Miss Lisa!” As he voiced his words, silence filled the room. The sudden change of situation left those who were disparaging Nicole stunned.
Nicole is Lisa? But everyone said that Ms. Lisa from F&M Apparel is a woman in her forties! Queenie was in dismay. “That’s impossible!”
“Do you think I’m lying to you, miss?” Zachary stared at her with a hostile gaze. Given his tactfulness, he could sense that the woman before him was highly antagonistic toward Nicole. Although Nicole rejected him, he was still in love with her, and he would not allow anyone to condescend her!
Queenie’s body trembled as her eyes reddened. Yet, unable to express her frustration, she clenched her fists tightly. She was thoroughly disconcerted. Nicole’s actually Lisa! She’s the Chief Designer of F&M Apparel! I’ve gotten close to Colton and become the young mistress-to-be of Gardner Corporation, but how?! How is she still above me?!
The tables were instantaneously turned.
Most of the people came to the event in order to establish a connection with Lisa. With the golden opportunity presented right before them, they’d rather not ruin their chances.
“Wow, can’t believe anyone would doubt Miss Lisa!”
“You said it! And she was so confidently accusing her without checking her ‘facts.’ Tsk!”
“Apparently, she’s Lisa’s assistant in the country…”
Queenie stood still. Although she wore a flashy set of clothes, in that instant, she was perceived as a foolish clown. She thought she could finally devastate Nicole, only to realize she had shot herself in the foot. The belittling whispers and scornful glares made her extremely vulnerable as shame and embarrassment quickly overwhelmed her.
She wanted to defend herself, but before she could do that, her intention was suppressed by a freezing stare. She turned to the stare and discovered it was coming from Colton. His cold expression reflected the absence of any intention to comfort her as he gazed at her with his inky, warning eyes.
With her reputation at risk, she could only take the embarrassment head on as she said through gritted teeth, “My apologies for making baseless accusations and staining Miss Lisa’s name.”
Naturally, Zachary wouldn’t forgo the fact that someone had attempted to humiliate Nicole. Grinning, he turned to Colton. “President Gardner, I heard that she’s your fiancée. Does she not know her place, coming to F&M Apparel and insulting our people?”
Colton withdrew his gaze as he remained in his firm posture. With a bland tone, he blurted, “Rumors are rumors.”
Those three indifferent words devastated Queenie and left her shivering by his coldness. No way. Even Colton’s not gonna back me up now? She took a step forward and was about to call for Colton, but hastily refrained from doing so as she was met by his daunting eyes. She was now nothing but a joke, and staying any longer in the venue would only draw mortification upon herself.
Joseph, on the other hand, was also perturbed. He never had expected Nicole to be Lisa herself, and it was only a few days ago when he insulted her back in the coffee shop. As the collaboration between the Mann Family and Lisa was crucial, he thought he could secure it with his trickeries, only to realize he had demolished the opportunity for a partnership.
At that moment, Nicole revealed a subtle smile as she pressed on her tingling wrist that was grasped by Queenie earlier. “Miss Anderson, Mr. Mann.” She looked at the two before her. “I’m clueless as to the violation I’ve caused to the two of you which resulted in your bold accusation of me pretending to be Lisa.” Her tone was neutral and unintimidating, as if she was simply making a description. “But now that President Yates has verified my identity, aren’t you going to suspect him too?”
The faces of Queenie and Joseph paled at Nicole’s formidable reprimand.
Although the majority of F&M Apparel’s power was overseas, their influence in the local market remained significant, and they were definitely not one to go up against.
Joseph hurriedly shook his head. “N-Nothing like that, Nicole—I mean, Miss Lisa. I was merely fooled by Queenie’s jabbering. I hope you didn’t take it personally, Miss Lisa.”
