Everyone was waiting for the drama to unfold.
Estelle Lockwood took a calm sip of her tea and heard Nathaniel Sloan say, "It’s true. Estelle is very impressive."
The socialite who had just offered Estelle Lockwood false praise stiffened. ’She hadn’t meant to actually praise her!’
Nathaniel Sloan spoke nonchalantly, "After all, when it comes to achievements in jewelry design, no one here can compare to Estelle. If she isn’t impressive, who is?"
Old Mrs Sloan also scoffed. "That’s right. Some people should worry about themselves. They have no education, no skills, nothing at all. The only thing they have to show for themselves is their tired old family background."
The socialite’s face went from pale to flushed, rendered speechless by the comeback.
Feeling she was losing face, she stammered, "Well, it’s not like no one else here knows jewelry design. Thea does, doesn’t she?"
Thea York smiled gracefully. "Oh, I’m nowhere near Estelle’s level. I just dabble in design for fun, not like Estelle, who does it as a profession."
"Mrs. Sloan, Thea plans to develop her career in this field too. I hope you won’t bully her."
A humorless smile touched Estelle Lockwood’s lips.
Thea York quickly waved a dismissive hand. "It’s not about bullying. In business, it’s all about fair competition. Oh, by the way, Estelle..."
Thea York let out a soft laugh and said with a hidden meaning, "I wonder, Estelle, do you have any favorite designers? I’m a huge fan of Star’s chief designer. What about you?"
Estelle Lockwood: "?"
She subconsciously sized up Thea York. ’Wait, what is wrong with her?’
’I’m Star’s chief designer. Is Thea York declaring her admiration for me right now?’
’But a moment’s thought told her that was impossible. This was getting interesting.’
Estelle Lockwood raised an eyebrow. ’Oh... I get it now. Thea is trying to imply that since Star’s chief designer is also a young and very impressive woman, who do I think I am to dare call myself a designer.’
’But has no one ever told Thea... that you should do your research before trying to insult someone?’
One of the socialites present looked confused for a moment. She seemed to recall that Estelle Lockwood *was* Star’s designer... but seeing Thea York’s demeanor, the woman thought she must have been mistaken.
After all, no one would be so disrespectful in front of their idol. If Estelle Lockwood were really that designer, Thea’s supposed idol, there was no way Thea wouldn’t recognize her.
Estelle Lockwood just said, "Oh."
A glint appeared in Thea York’s eyes. She thought Estelle was feeling insecure.
’After all, that designer is also young. Estelle keeps calling herself a jewelry designer, but no one’s ever seen her show off any work. She must not have any to show.’
’Now that I’m rubbing salt in the wound, she’s probably dying inside, even if she’s still smiling on the outside.’
At this thought, Thea York’s mood lifted considerably. She smiled demurely. "Estelle, as it happens, a friend of mine has a bracelet made by that very designer. You can take a look. It might give you some inspiration. After all, in this line of work, one always needs to keep learning."
With that, Thea York turned and called over to another woman. "Sophie, come show Estelle your bracelet."
Estelle Lockwood recognized her. It was Sophie Foster, the young heiress she had just seen in the restroom, the one who had rolled her eyes at her.
Sophie Foster was eager to show off the bracelet. ’It’s a limited edition! I had to pull a lot of strings to get my hands on it!’
She eagerly went to take out the bracelet, but in the next moment, her expression changed. "My bracelet?! Where is it?!"
Everyone was taken aback, unsure what was happening.
Sophie Foster dumped out her entire purse, her face contorting in panic. "My bracelet is gone!"
Thea York also seemed to grow anxious. "What? Sophie, weren’t you wearing it? Think hard. Where could you have put it?"
"Where else could it be? I went to the restroom earlier and took it off because I was afraid of getting it wet, and then..."
As Sophie Foster recalled this, her expression suddenly darkened. Furious, she lunged forward and grabbed Estelle Lockwood’s wrist. "I know! It was you!"
Sophie Foster’s sudden attack on Estelle Lockwood left everyone stunned.
Estelle Lockwood’s eyes darkened. "Let go."
Nathaniel Sloan’s gaze turned icy. "Estelle told you to let go. Are you deaf?"
"Mr. Sloan, she stole my bracelet!" Sophie Foster glared daggers at Estelle Lockwood.
The commotion drew the attention of the surrounding guests, who turned to stare, dumbfounded. The banquet hall fell deathly silent.
This was Old Mrs Sloan’s banquet, and all the guests were prominent figures. At an event like this, appearances were everything. Even if there were disagreements, they would ultimately be chalked up to minor squabbles out of respect for the Sloan family. The word "stole" was far too heavy.
Moreover, the accused was Old Mrs Sloan’s own granddaughter-in-law. That single word was enough to destroy Mrs. Sloan’s reputation.
Estelle Lockwood suddenly understood the meaning behind Thea York’s strange smile in the restroom. ’So this was the trap she’d laid for me.’
There were too many people at the banquet who resented Estelle Lockwood, seeing her as an obstacle to their own daughters’ ambitions.
The moment Sophie Foster’s accusation hung in the air, some people began to chime in with thinly veiled taunts.
"Just as I thought, a woman from a lesser family can’t be trusted. So narrow-minded. The moment she sees something nice, her first thought is to steal it. She has no idea how much shame she’s bringing on Mr. Sloan."
"Is there anything Mr. Sloan can’t afford for her? Why would she need to steal? It just goes to show she hasn’t kicked her old, bad habits. She’s probably been a thief her whole life."
"Her first thought upon seeing something nice in someone else’s hands is to steal it. What kind of person is that? Old Mrs Sloan really misjudged her this time..."
Old Mrs Sloan’s expression hardened. "Miss Foster, you’d better have evidence for such an accusation. My Sloan family’s granddaughter-in-law is not someone you can slander at will!"
Thea York frowned imperceptibly.
’Why is Old Mrs Sloan still defending Estelle?’
"It was Estelle! She stole it! Give me back my bracelet!" Sophie Foster shrieked, frantic. "It was just the two of us in the restroom! I put my bracelet on the counter, and then it was gone!"
Thea York bit her lip, seemingly trying to calm her down. "Sophie, you must be mistaken. Why would Estelle do something like that?"
But Sophie Foster was already furious that Old Mrs Sloan didn’t believe her. Hearing her own best friend doubt her as well only fueled her rage.
"I’m not lying! Estelle stole it, it had to be her! If I’m wrong, I’ll get on my knees and apologize to her! Go on, check the security footage! See if she didn’t go into the restroom with me!"
Nathaniel Sloan’s expression froze over. He pulled Estelle behind him. "Someone, show her out!"
When Sophie Foster heard she was being thrown out, she plopped down on the floor and started to throw a tantrum, wailing, "This is unfair! My bracelet was stolen, and now you’re kicking me out—"
Her words died in her throat as she met Nathaniel Sloan’s icy gaze, and a shiver shot through her.