Chapter 447
447:
Lorraine let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Oh, please! No proof? Then you’re just slinging mud.”
The guests listened to their exchange and murmured among themselves, each weighing the scales of truth.
“Miss Reynolds has a point. No evidence? That’s just slander, plain and simple.”
“How dare Miss Jones call Miss Reynolds’ mentor a fraud without a shred of proof? Isn’t she afraid of getting slapped with a lawsuit for spreading lies?”
“Such a shame Tiana’s such a recluse. If she weren’t, she’d probably swoop in and shut any impostor down.”
The room buzzed with speculation. Some leaned toward Lorraine, others toward Christina, while a few simply savored the drama unfolding.
Christina’s lips curved into a sly smirk. “I’ve got a foolproof way to settle whether your mentor is really Tiana’s protégé.”
Celine, quick to pounce, chimed in, “Oh? Do tell.”
Nearby, Dylan observed the composed Christina with an unwavering gaze. She stood at the heart of the storm, radiant and unshakable, commanding attention like a star in a crowded sky. He didn’t care if the crowd doubted her—he believed she wouldn’t toss out accusations without something solid up her sleeve. She was poised to unravel the lie, and he trusted her to do it with flair. Robin, too, had faith in Christina. Sure, she still got under his skin, but her words carried weight he couldn’t dismiss. His gaze remained locked on her, and he failed to realize he was actually reluctant to look away.
“If you’ve got a plan, spit it out!” Lorraine snapped, glaring at Christina with barely concealed irritation. “If you can’t prove my mentor’s faking it, you’ll hold a press conference and apologize publicly to us!”
Christina’s smile widened, cool and confident. “Well, I don’t think I’ve said something wrong to apologize for.” Her gaze swept the room, commanding silence as she spoke with deliberate calm.
“It’s simple, really. Have your mentor go online, right now, and publicly claim he’s Tiana’s protégé. If he’s lying, I’m betting Tiana’s real protégés, or maybe even Tiana herself, won’t sit quietly. They’ll call it out faster than you can blink.”
Her idea made sense. It was airtight—no one would let their name be hijacked without a fight, least of all someone as legendary as Tiana.
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“Miss Jones made a solid suggestion. I’m dying to know if Miss Reynolds’ mentor is the real deal.”
“Come on, Miss Reynolds, bring your mentor here. Let him prove it in front of us.”
“Yeah, if he’s the real protégé of Tiana, he won’t dodge the spotlight.”
Lorraine’s composure cracked under the weight of the crowd’s chatter, a tide of panic swelling inside her. Christina’s unshakable confidence rattled her, planting a seed of doubt. Could her mentor actually be a fraud?
Celine, sensing Lorraine’s hesitation, stepped in, gently taking her hand and whispering, “Lorraine, call your mentor. Invite him to the banquet, but don’t tip him off about this. Just get him here. If he’s a fake, it’s not on you—you’re just a victim of deception. But if he’s the real deal, I’ll make sure Miss Jones eats her words at a press conference.”
Before Lorraine could respond, Kurt said, “If Miss Jones has falsely accused you, I’ll see to it that you and your mentor each get five percent of Miller’s Casino shares as compensation.”
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