Chapter 175: The Ashbury Reed Family
Gwendolyn could distinctly feel the contempt in Tina’s indifferent demeanor. She didn’t realize when her tears had started to cascade down her cheeks. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she could only stiffly endure the razor-sharp blade as it repeatedly scraped across her scalp, her emotions transitioning from anger and despair to humiliation and shame, yet she had no choice but to bear it silently.
After the last lock of hair was shorn, Velma Lehman proudly displayed Gwendolyn’s bald head to Tina, exclaiming, “How about that? My skills are impeccable, not a single nick! This is the expertise I’ve honed from years of shaving our Samoyed!” The crowd couldn’t hold back their laughter any longer, seeing Gwendolyn’s head smooth as a boiled egg, and burst out laughing, likening her to a dog being groomed.
Tina was somewhat surprised; she had randomly chosen someone to shave Gwendolyn’s head, hoping for a botched job to make Gwendolyn suffer a bit. But it turned out perfectly. What a miscalculation.
Just then, a cold breeze swept through the banquet hall, making Gwendolyn’s entire head feel chillingly cold, and she couldn’t help but burst into tears. Clutching her head, she knelt on the tempered glass of the catwalk, not even having a moment to ponder how she suddenly regained her ability to move and speak. Amidst her tears and curses, she shouted, “Velma Lehman, Tina, you two bitches…”
Tina let out a cold, soft chuckle. Gwendolyn stiffened and suddenly remembered how she had been unable to speak or move just moments before, and she dared not utter another word.
Listening to the discussions and whispers from below the stage, and seeing the looks of schadenfreude and sympathy cast upon her, she could no longer endure it and scrambled up, running away.
“Gwendolyn!” Amber feigned concern as she tried to comfort her. Gwendolyn angrily brushed off her hand and shot her a resentful look.
“Gwendolyn, why are you looking at me like that?” Amber stepped back in fear. “You know it’s not that I don’t want to help you. My sister wouldn’t give me the time of day, and besides, your hair will grow back soon.”
Gwendolyn remained silent, knowing well that her plight today stemmed largely from defending Amber. But if Amber couldn’t persuade Annabelle to intervene, why hadn’t she stepped up herself? If Amber had confronted Tina, the Reed family would surely have sided with Amber. But she hadn’t done so, proving she didn’t truly consider Gwendolyn a friend.
With a resentful glance at Tina and her conspicuously bald head, Gwendolyn fled the banquet hall.
“Elise Chandler.” Amber innocently turned to Elise Chandler on the catwalk. “Is Gwendolyn mad at me? But I really couldn’t do anything; I even begged my grandmother.”
By the time Gwendolyn could move, Elise Chandler had also realized she was no longer frozen. Elise wore a complex expression, having understood the situation just as clearly as Gwendolyn had. Amber hadn’t done everything in her power to help Gwendolyn.
She finally said, “Her hair will grow back eventually.” Tina, overhearing this, smiled enigmatically, knowing something they didn’t-Gwendolyn had declared she would remain bald for life. Well, she could keep it that way.
“Tina, this dress is mine now!” Velma Lehman excitedly approached the Italian model handling the dress she adored, unable to wait to have it taken off so she could try it on herself.
Tanner reluctantly followed the model and Velma to the backstage, wishing to savor the sight of the dress a bit longer before parting with it. Before leaving, he reminded Tina, “You promised to help me with the design sketches; you can’t back out!”
Tina nodded slightly. “When have I ever gone back on my word?” Tanner then left, reassured.
The drama on the catwalk finally came to an end. As Tina prepared to descend, a hand elegantly reached out to her from beside the steps. Jared Farrell, ever the gallant knight, was ready to assist her down the steps like a princess.
Their eyes locked as Tina placed her hand in his, his support allowing her to gracefully descend the steps. Amber watched their intertwined hands with envy, her dark thoughts growing wildly. Why could Tina be so close to Jared Farrell when she herself could not, despite now being a bona fide Ashbury Reed?
Audrey Woodwind also watched, captivated by Jared’s profile, perfect as a Greek statue, regretting only that he stood beside another woman. Yet, her eyes shifted meaningfully towards Amber, her newly recognized cousin, whose gaze at Mr. Farrell was unmistakably impure.
The excitement had been thrilling indeed, and she sensed that the drama was far from over.
As Tina and Jared Farrell returned to their seats, Marie watched them with eager eyes, trying to maintain her dignified composure. She was plotting to coax Tina into designing some unique dresses for her when the Reed family, led by Annabelle, approached.
“Annabelle, long time no see,” Marie greeted politely, assuming Annabelle was there to see her.
However, Annabelle nodded at her but turned her smile towards Tina and Jared Farrell, saying, “Miss Reed, Mr. Farrell, I haven’t had the chance to thank you for last time.”This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
Tina was momentarily taken aback, recalling the elderly lady she had helped at the engagement party. She withdrew her gaze and replied indifferently, “It was nothing, not worth mentioning.”
Though she wondered why the elderly lady was here, Tina preferred not to get involved further.