Chapter: 98

A group of socialites crowded around, instantly taking Lilliana's side.

Under normal circumstances, such a trivial mishap wouldn't necessitate the involvement of the influential Hewitt family.

However, upon hearing Kaitlin's name, Alan rushed to the scene immediately.

He surveyed the chaos and Lilliana, her makeup streaked by tears, and his expression darkened.

“It wasn't my doing. She's responsible," Kaitlin declared, refusing to endorse Lilliana's theatrics.

Attempting to exit, she found her path blocked. The crowd had swollen with Alan's arrival, trapping her in the lounge.

"Alan, I'm not sure what I did to upset Kaitlin, but look how she's treated me. Wasn't the previous incident a clear enough lesson?"

Lilliana lamented through her sobs.

Kaitlin had recently led Oasis Jewelry to a significant victory over Lilliana Jewelry, cementing her status in the design industry.

Most saw it as mere professional rivalry, but to stir up such a spectacle at a Hewitt Group banquet was bold.

“Lilldana, enough with the act. You think you can fabricate stories just because there are no cameras?" Kaitlin challenged her.

Despite keeping her composure, Kaitlin was puzzled by Lilliana's motives.

Was this merely a ploy by Lilliana to elicit Alan's sympathy?

If Alan truly cared, he wouldn't have allowed her to feel so abandoned at the banquet.

"Kaitlin, you already have everything, why must you oppose me? I borrowed this dress, and now it's ripped. What should I do?" Lilliana sobbed.

The crowd then noticed the tear in Lilliana's white dress, a clear rip at the shoulder that seemed to indicate a struggle.

Tearing it by herself would not have been easy.

Murmurs began to circulate among the crowd, and Kaitlin's once sterling reputation started to falter.

Annoyed by Lilliana's relentless tears, Kaitlin retorted, "Truth cannot be disguised, nor can lies turn into truth. Are you accusing me of pushing you, ripping your dress, and hitting you?"

Lilliana, tears streaming down her face, looked up and nodded. “Isn't that exactly what happened?"

Kaitlin chuckled coldly. "If that's the case, there's an easy way to prove it."

"How so?" Lilliana asked, still bewildered.

Kaitlin, in her high heels, stepped closer to Lilliana.

Suddenly, she raised her hand and delivered a sharp slap across Lilliana's face.