Chapter 287

As the introductory score faded out, the towering drapes ascended with deliberate grace-Metamorphosis, the long-awaited lingerie show, had officially commenced.

Upon the runway, the opening model emerged, sending the entire audience into wild excitement.

Claps, shocked breaths, joyful cries, and shutter clicks melded together.

At the forefront, Claude sat refined, a soft curl tugging at his mouth's edge. His attention wandered now and then to nearby attendees-and more frequently, to the backstage access point.

Tucked in a dim recess of the venue, Erica remained still, chin angled slightly as though absorbed by the presentation. Yet,the hands joined in her lap moved in slight rhythmic taps-like a quiet internal alarm.

High up on the mezzanine, Vincent entered the upper deck. He stayed off to the side, taking everything in silently. His vision moved along the runway. There was no doubt-his thoughts were elsewhere.

Backstage, inside the primary command booth, Hannah issued directives with icy clarity, her aura unshakable.

The models kept surfacing in perfect rhythm.

"Ms. Scott, there's an issue!" Meagan appeared suddenly, face pale and lungs heaving, weaving through the staff to reach Hannah. Her voice was low but quivering. "Miss Whitaker barged into the cosmetics area and wrecked almost evomr:.

barged into the cosmetics area and wrecked almost everything in sight. She's completely unhinged! Even her mother can't restrain her!"

Hannah's expression hardened instantly. But her voice stayed controlled,even more than before. "Alert security-right away.Is she causing trouble in the general cosmetics area, or is it Alice's private prep zone?"

"It's Alice's private room!" Meagan looked like she was on the verge of tears. "She's trashed everything-makeup's all over the place, mirrors shattered everywhere!"

Hannah swiped across her phone screen, pulling up the venue's internal layout. "Alice is the only model who hasn't had her makeup done yet, correct?"

"Correct. Her stylist was mid-session when the chaos began,"Meagan replied.

"Understood." Hannah nodded. No pause. "P'll handle it."

The cosmetics chamber looked like a storm had struck.

Irene clung desperately to her daughter, trying to restrain her as she cried, "Daphne, please-just stop! I'm begging you!"

But Daphne flailed wildly in her mother's arms, shrieking through sobs, "Hell no! I'll ruin everything! Everyone treats that slut like royalty! Who the hell is she? It's just a damn makeup room-our family can pay for it! A hundredfold! I'll see to it that her precious event turns to ash!"

Right as the last syllable spilled out, Hannah stepped into view.

Daphne broke free from her mother's grasp, seized the lone remaining serum on the vanity, and flungit violently-straight at the wall beside Hannah.

"Hannah!" Irene cried out, horrified.

Yet,Hannah remained unshaken. Her stance did not shift.

The bottle burst against the wall, liquid streaking the floor below, pooling at her feet.

Hannah stared at Daphne-eyes blood-rimmed,hair a wreck.Then,she advanced.

Without forewarning, Hannah struck Daphne sharply across the face.

The entire room fell into stunned silence.

Daphne's head whipped from the impact. A loud ring filled her ears. For one long beat, shame and fire clouded her mind. Then,rage struck, and she lunged, wailing,"You hit me! How dare you?"

Hannah gripped her wrist mid-lunge. "Daphne, if you want to throw tantrums, know your setting and your victim. You come storming into the backstage like a lunatic-getting slapped is the least of what you deserve."

Though not loud, her words had bite. She shifted toward the waiting security. Her voice had zero give. "We've got a serious disturbance backstage. Remove this lunatic-discreetly.Keep the guests unaware."

Two guards moved swiftly, each securing one of Daphne's arms.

"Who do you think you are? Let go of me! Hannah, what gives you the right to remove me? Ask them to release me!"Daphne's screaming echoed down the corridor as she was dragged away.

Irene looked crushed by embarrassment and shame. "Hannah,I'm deeply sorry for this disruption."

She'd spotted the invitation from Miles and, on a whim,decided to bring Daphne along. She never saw this catastrophe coming.

Hannah gently patted the back of her hand. "It's okay, Mrs.Whitaker.Really."

She offered soothing words and assigned a staff member to gently accompany Irene out.

Then, Hannah addressed Alice and her stylists, "I truly regret this awful incident."

Her voice stayed firm as she instructed the stunned staff,"Please take Alice to a fresh makeup suite now. Have this space cleaned immediately. Log all damaged items.Styling team -resume prep."

After everything was sorted, Hannah slipped into a shadowed niche beside the runway-a perfect perch to observe the guests without being noticed. She scanned reactions-guests were still fully engaged.

She had barely begun to breathe when Meagan appeared again,face drenched in sweat. "Ms. Scott-a new issue just arose."

Hannah sighed. "Is it Daphne again? Notify law enforcement immediately."

Meagan shook her head. "No... it's something else. Please follow me.You need to see this."