The ladies exclaimed in excitement.
“That’s why her face was in such a state. Trying to cover bruises with makeup, but how can you hide swelling? Clearly, she’s been through something rough.”
“At Brit’s top hotel? That’s unbelievable.”
“If not, why would those two go to the consulate together?”
“They could’ve sent a lawyer for such a matter.”
Annblin murmured as if talking to herself, hearing her friends’ conversation. As all eyes turned to her, she forced a smile, not wanting to seem pitiable.
“Don’t you think?”
Yet in her head, she couldn’t understand Edgar. It was unlike him, a man who hated inconvenience, to involve himself in such matters.
Annblin and Edgar had spent more time in bed than sharing mundane daily life.
She didn’t mind, but sometimes it hurt. He showed no interest in going to shows, exhibitions, or even attending parties.
Annblin had started learning tennis because of Edgar. It was one of the few things he was interested in that she could join.
After her divorce and return, Lanslot had become the sponsor of the Dumblin Tennis Tournament.
Annblin participated and won every year. It was an expected outcome.
Though there might have been more skilled players, none dared to defeat a princess. She donated the prize money to the Royal Pediatric Ward and Brit Orphanage every year.
The people loved her, and Annblin was hailed as the Queen of the Tennis Court.
All she needed was to win back Edgar’s love.
She had made enough effort for him to forgive her, but Edgar remained distant and aloof.
“That woman is no ordinary lady. Born into a unique lineage, she must have blackmailed Lanslot. Threatening to expose the robbery. Otherwise, why would the Duke associate with such a woman?”
“How dreadful. Blackmail.”
The conversation buzzed with speculation and shock.
“It makes sense. Next month is the opening of the Leopold Hotel. It would be a disaster if they get embroiled in a security issue.”
That’s it.
A corner of Annblin’s heart, previously pricked by worry, gradually calmed.
So, she blackmailed Edgar.
As the cloud of despair lifted from Annblin’s heart, the sun of hope shone brilliantly again.
Clearly, tabloids couldn’t be trusted. They were just unverified rumors.
Suddenly, Annblin felt pity for Edgar, caught in the web of a ruthless woman. She seemed to be the only one who could save her former lover.
Annblin finally smiled.
“Princess.”
Her secretary, approaching, broke her reverie.
“Madam Loren has arrived.”
“Madam Loren…”
“Today’s the day to discuss the outfit for the upcoming tennis tournament.”
“Ah.”
Remembering that day, Annblin’s brow furrowed.
Anne Juleber.
The designer who contributed to the princess’s humiliation. The ladies held their breath, watching the dignified princess, wondering what punishment would be meted out.
In the Botanic Garden’s small fountain, water sprang up coolly. Sunlight streaming through the glass ceiling created rainbows on the foam.
“Are there any talented designers around these days?”
Annblin turned her gaze slowly around the focused faces, wearing a gentle smile.
“It’s time for Madam Loren to make way for her juniors, don’t you think?”
Her smile, as radiant as a red blossom in the center of a flower bed, signaled the end of Eve Loren Boutique’s heyday, backed by royal support.
In any field, generational changes happen in various ways. But being ousted overnight like this was beyond Madam Loren’s wildest dreams.
“What did you say?”
Madam Loren’s eyes blazed.
“They asked you to return the palace entry badge.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you’re no longer welcome.”
“I want to see His Highness.”
“That won’t be possible. Don’t you understand? You’ve fallen out of favor with the Princess.”
Madam Loren scoffed.
“I thought you were a person who separated personal and professional matters. Seems I was wrong.”
“Madam Loren! Watch your words.”
The secretary’s face became stern, as if an insult to the princess was a personal attack on him.
“Do you realize whose favor put you in this position? Talent? Hardly. It was all thanks to Her Highness’s benevolence.”
Madam Loren shivered with rage, as if doused in ice water.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
