Ex-husband last regret

Chapter forty

Scarlett pov

Humiliation, mockery, anger, and resentment crashed down on me like a torrential rainstorm. Yet, in response to Vivian Carter's "thank you," I forced a smile that twisted my expression into something almost sinister. "Miss Miele, you're too kind. It was just a small effort, nothing to mention."

Her voice was filled with sincerity. "The soul of a wedding dress lies in its embellishments. Without the expensive accessories you gifted me, how could I have won the judges' and audience's favor? So, Scarlett, you are truly my benefactor."

I was nearly furious enough to spit blood. To me, her words felt like a taunt, mocking me for handing the championship to my rival on a silver platter.

When she returned to the lounge holding her trophy, James Scott couldn’t stop exclaiming, "What the hell?!"

"Dude, how did you pull that off?"

"Man, I can't believe I missed such an incredible turnaround!"

What hurt him even more was that he had foolishly pulled back his bets on Vivian before her performance and placed them all on me instead. Now, it seemed he was going to lose everything.

I glanced up casually. "What happened to your face?"

James didn’t dare admit he had been punched by Dominic Blackwood, as it would make him seem weak and could cause trouble for Vivian. He could only brush it off. "I accidentally bumped into a wall."

"I think it was one of your little flings who caught you cheating and gave you a good smack, right?"

James twitched his lips. If he had a lover like Dominic Blackwood, he wouldn’t still be alive at this point.

Just as they were about to pack up and leave, the lounge door was suddenly flung open with force. I stormed in, my delicate features twisted with rage, my eyes burning red with fury. "Miss Miele, I need to talk to you!"

James instinctively moved to shield her, but she waved him off. "Don't worry, Scarlett isn't going to eat me, is she?"

Realizing that Vivian was not someone to be trifled with, he stepped back, leaving the two of us to face each other.

After the door was closed, she lazily remarked, "What does Scarlett want to talk to me about? Is it about how you’ve wasted your efforts, or how you’ve embarrassed yourself?"

I felt like I had been hit by a lightning bolt. I was supposed to be the victor today. In fact, I had prepared four stunning outfits and expensive jewelry just for this competition.

Anna had already instructed the photographers to be ready, and once they captured my winning moment, they would post the photos on all major websites. I had even bought my way onto the trending topics.

With the help of those influencers I bribed, news of my and Dominic Blackwood's blossoming romance would also be released, making me the center of attention in the entire city.

But this woman in front of me had interrupted my plans and shattered my dreams—how could I not be furious?

"Miele, I don’t know what underhanded tactics you used to barely beat me, but our game is far from over. Who will come out on top is still uncertain, so don’t get too cocky too soon!"

Winning or losing was one aspect of the competition, but more importantly, it was the fans' purchasing power that validated a designer's work.

Miele's black veil was indeed stunning and creative, but most people still preferred the traditional white veil.

Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "Has Scarlett forgotten that those four wedding dresses in your hands are actually my designs? You have no shame and yet you boast about it. How shameless can you be?"

My face turned a mix of pale and green, as if I had been stripped bare, exposed to ridicule and scorn.

In a fit of rage, I lunged at her. "Who do you think you are to challenge me?"

She instinctively dodged, but my movement was too sudden. My fingers snagged the ribbon of her mask, and with a loud clatter, the candy-colored mask fell to the floor.

When I saw the face behind the mask was Vivian Carter, my anger abruptly halted. My pupils constricted sharply, and a wave of pain shot through my chest, making me forget to breathe.

After a moment, I managed to speak, my voice almost unrecognizable. "How... could it be you?"

She knew she couldn't hide anymore, so she met my gaze with a mocking look. "Did you really never expect to lose to someone you consider a mere 'housewife'?"

I nearly screamed. "No way! Why are you pretending to be Miele? Get her out here to see me!"

She smiled as she took out a pen, expertly sketching the lines of her designs. In fact, the moment she picked up the pen, I had already started to believe it, but I couldn't accept that I had lost to a mere housewife.

Fashion design was my pride and joy, a career that had brought me plenty of glory. I never imagined that today I would be trampled underfoot by Vivian Carter.

As she passionately discussed her designs, I felt a buzzing in my ears and my legs began to wobble. I didn't even remember how I left the lounge; all that consumed my mind was a single, frantic thought: I had to destroy Vivian Carter. There was no way I could let Dominic Blackwood find out that she was Miele.

Isabella Blackwood noticed my pale face and quickly asked, "Scarlett, did that Miele bully you? I’ll go get revenge for you right now!"

I suddenly grabbed her arm. "Isabella, weren't you just saying you wanted to tear Vivian Carter apart and show everyone how low she really is? I can help you with that."

She thought about Vivian Carter and felt a surge of hatred, but she was also afraid of her brother's scolding, so she shrank back a little. "I'm scared of my brother..."

"Hah, Vivian Carter was already hooking up with some rich guy before she divorced your brother. If he finds out, there's no way he would protect her!"

Isabella perked up at that. If it weren't for her brother's warning, she would have crushed Vivian Carter long ago. Since the shameless woman was digging her own grave, she might as well help her along.

That night, as Vivian Carter's black lace dress and my white lace dress were launched together, a storm of scandalous news about Vivian Carter suddenly swept across the internet.

#Vivian Carter's hotel night with a young tycoon#

#Vivian Carter's affair with a wealthy Koenigsegg owner#

#Vivian Carter's underground romance with James Scott#

Any topic related to Vivian Carter quickly surged to the top of the trending list, drawing a wave of criticism, and even Miele found herself caught in the crossfire.

"Vivian really knows how to charm everyone, doesn’t she?"

"How shameless! No wonder, despite being the true daughter of the Carter family, she gets less attention than the adopted daughter. The Carter family must have seen through her flaunting ways long ago."

"Miele has terrible judgment. How could she choose someone like her as an assistant? Just thinking about the wedding dress materials possibly passing through that woman's hands makes me want to cancel my order."

"Maybe Miele is the one who sent Vivian Carter to seduce these men to pave her own way. Otherwise, how could she even get a chance to compete with the Hayes family?"