Chapter 7 Being Played
832 Words
"Sir!"
Emma called out from behind. Nicholas turned around, and Emma was instantly captivated by his handsome face.
Was there really a guy in this city as good-looking as Osborne?!
Her jealousy and anger towards Stella hit the roof.
"Yes?"
Nicholas gave her a cold glance.
Stella leaned in close to his ear, smiling as she explained, "She's Osborne's sister, the most arrogant and bossy one in the Farley family."
Nicholas' face grew even colder.
Though she spoke quietly, Emma heard every word clearly. The intimate whispering was driving her nuts.
Trying to control her usual nastiness because of the handsome guy, she put on a façade of good intentions, but her voice was sharp.
"Sir, this woman is a liar. She is a divorced woman, not some noble lady! She's a con artist from an orphanage! She's cunning and used to go to great lengths to seduce my brother. She..."
Before she could finish, Stella raised her hand without hesitation. With a loud, crisp slap, Emma's scream echoed through the hall.
The entire banquet hall fell silent.
Emma clutched her face, staring at Stella in disbelief, her eyes wide.
"Did you just... slap me?!"
"Yes, I did. You're being so rude."
Stella nonchalantly rubbed her palm, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Looks like your family didn't teach you any manners, allowing you to become some rumormonger. And so what if I am a divorced woman? Is there a rule that says divorced women can't attend events? Hasn't your brother also been divorced? What you just said is slanderous and defamatory. I could sue you."
"You!"
Emma was furious, humiliated in public and accused of having poor manners. Her family's reputation was in tatters.
The most infuriating part was being slapped by Stella, someone she had bullied into silence before!
It was an unbearable humiliation!
"You b***h!"
She charged at Stella, her expression vicious, reaching out to grab Stella's hair.
Nicholas quickly pulled Stella into his arms, turning his back to Emma.
Osborne also stepped in front of Stella immediately.
He frowned, his eyes deep as he looked at Emma. "Stop this nonsense and apologize."
"I'm your sister! That b***h hit me and you're siding with her instead of me? And you want me to apologize to her?!"
Osborne turned completely sullen, warning her, "I saw what happened. This is your last chance. Apologize!"
Emma's arrogance immediately deflated.
But what was wrong with calling Stella a b***h? She was just trying to expose the truth about her for everyone's sake!
What did she do wrong?!
The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Just as she was about to argue, Nina grabbed her shoulders.
Nina whispered soothingly, "Osborne is really angry. He's doing this for your good. You don't want Stella to actually sue you, right? If you want to ruin her, there will be other opportunities."
The last few words were full of implication. Under Nina's comfort, Emma finally calmed down and mumbled, "I'm sorry."
Then, she quickly ran off with her face flushed. Nina gave Osborne a reassuring look before running after her.
The commotion finally died down.
Though Emma's words had stirred up a wave of gossip, everyone knew better than to mess with Nicholas or Osborne.
The banquet hall soon returned to its previous lively atmosphere, and no one dared to discuss what had just happened.
Nicholas watched Emma leave and frowned. "Aren't you going to do something about it? Want me to get someone to teach her a lesson?"
Stella chuckled and gave his shoulder a light shove. "Teach her a lesson? Nah, I'm not mad at all. She just said a few mean words, and I gave her a good slap. I'd say I came out ahead."
Nicholas was momentarily speechless.
Since when did his little princess have such a wild side?
Osborne, mingling with the crowd, kept an eye on Stella, feeling increasingly irritated by how chummy she seemed with Nicholas.
Why did it bother him so much? Maybe it was the first time he felt like a woman had played him.
About ten minutes later, Nina returned with Emma.
Emma had touched up her makeup to cover the slap mark on her left cheek. She stood quietly behind Osborne, unusually well-behaved, though she occasionally shot venomous glances at Stella, who was shining in the crowd.
As the event progressed, the dance floor opened, and many people and their partners began to dance.
Nina was excited, eagerly watching Osborne, waiting for him to take her hand and invite her to dance.
Finally, Osborne stood up, and Nina's excitement grew.
She could already see herself as the center of attention on the dance floor.
But then, Osborne, holding a glass of red wine, walked straight towards Stella.
At that moment, Stella was enjoying the music and savoring some chocolate mousse made by a French chef.
Suddenly, Osborne's broad hand entered her field of vision.
"May I have this dance?" he asked.
- Writer
