Chapter 654

Vera's eyes sparkled with malicious delight, a cunning smile curving her lips. "Danica, you always know exactly what to do!I'm counting on you for this. Make certain Hannah learns some manners."

Vera's mind was already racing ahead, plotting her perfectly timed intervention with a pre-selected secondhand gown for Hannah, right after Danica had thoroughly humiliated Hannah.Among the elite, appearing in a secondhand dress carried far more shame than simply being underdressed.

Vera leaned toward her assistant, whispering urgent instructions to have the "special" gown prepared immediately.

Brimming with self-assurance, Danica rallied a cluster of privileged socialites known for their cruel games and marched off to publicly corner Hannah.

Yet, as they entered the hall, Hannah stepped out from the lounge.

For a moment, the buzz of conversation seemed to fade into silence.

Hannah had changed into the mist-blue gown. The elegantly understated dress draped her frame flawlessly, highlighting every graceful line and curve. Her mere presence commanded attention from several powerful industry titans and influential financial magnates scattered throughout the room.

Within moments, guests began gravitating toward her naturally,not just exchanging pleasantries but eagerly pressing business cards into her hand, hoping to secure her contact information.

Danica stood frozen, staring in utter disbelief at the unfolding scene. Every carefully rehearsed, harsh word she'd prepared to embarrass Hannah dissolved into nothing. The words burst from her lips before she could stop them. "Hannah, when did you even change clothes?"

Hannah had just wrapped up a pleasant exchange with a prominent banking executive. She turned to Danica with composed indifference. "Moments ago. Is there something you need?"

Her expression conveyed the unspoken question perfectly: since when did her wardrobe choices or the timing of changing require Danica's approval?

Danica found herself rendered speechless by Hannah's effortless dismissal, her face cycling through shades of crimson embarrassment and fury.

From her vantage point, Vera had been monitoring the situation closely and witnessed Hannah's breathtaking transformation firsthand.She could only watch in mounting frustration as the distinguished guests she'd personally invited, including several she'd been desperate to impress but hadn't yet approached,flocked to Hannah instead.

The spotlight that should have remained fixed on her as hostess had shifted dramatically. The carefully orchestrated "leading lady" aura she'd spent hours perfecting crumbled effortlessly in Hannah's presence.

Vera's fingers tightened around her champagne flute until her knuckles went white. Her gaze shot upward to the second floor balcony. Vincent had been there just minutes ago,casually sipping wine among his circle of friends. Now, the space stood vacant.

Panic seized her chest as her eyes swept frantically across the venue, finally landing on Vincent tucked away in a secluded first-floor corner. He'd descended without her noticing, wine

first-floor corner. He'd descended without her noticing,wine glass in hand, his attention unmistakably trained on Hannah's direction.

A vicious surge of jealousy ignited in Vera's veins. She refused to let her moment be eclipsed like this. Every eye in this room needed to return to her, where they belonged.

She thrust the secondhand dress at her assistant with barely concealed fury. "Dispose of it. Now!"

Steel glinted in her eyes as she rushed backstage for a pair of scissors.

When Vera swept back into the center of the ballroom several minutes later, she'd undergone a complete transformation. Her once-elegant evening gown now featured a plunging neckline slashed dangerously low, exposing expanses of bare skin and dramatic cleavage. The hemline had been hacked up to mid-thigh, transforming the refined dress into something provocatively daring.

At her signal, the DJ switched tracks, and a theatrical spotlight blazed down on her alone.

As a sultry, pulsing rhythm flooded the room, Vera launched into an uninhibited, seductive performance that demanded attention.

Every movement dripped with calculated sensuality, her body language leaving nothing to the imagination as she commanded the room's attention, sparking a chorus of appreciative whistles and raucous cheers.

Just as she'd predicted, every gaze snapped back to her provocative dance, the crowd surging forward to encircle her once again.

Satisfaction coursed through Vera as she reclaimed the spotlight mid-dance. She shot a provocative look toward Hannah, only to watch Hannah glance up with mild disinterest

Hannah,only to watch Hannah glance up with mild disinterest before returning seamlessly to her conversation with the guests surrounding her.

Frustration gnawed at Vera's satisfaction, and as her body continued moving to the rhythm, her eyes desperately sought out Vincent in that secluded corner, only to discover he'd vanished entirely.