Chapter 2 To Ruin Her Reputation!
1022 Words
The banquet hall was buzzing with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of glasses as elegantly dressed guests mingled.
On stage, Andrew stood tall in a perfectly tailored charcoal gray suit, drawing all eyes to him.
Beside him, Rebecca wore a stunning floor-length mermaid gown, her jewelry sparkling under the lights as she clung to Andrew's arm, looking every bit the part of his partner.
"Thank you all for joining us at Stewart Group's medical exchange banquet. Andrew and I are truly honored to host this event..."
Rebecca's voice rang out with the confidence of being the hostess of the group, catching the audience's full attention.
Cynthia felt her stomach churn with suppressed anger. In her previous life, Rebecca had played the perfect hostess while secretly sabotaging the anniversary video, turning the whole event into a joke.
Andrew had been furious, and Cynthia, as the organizer, took the fall. She was reprimanded and ostracized, and Andrew treated her like she didn't exist.
But not this time!
"Cynthia, you've done such a great job organizing this event," Rebecca called out, waving her over with a seemingly apologetic smile. "Could you fix my dress? It's a bit wrinkled, and I don't want to look bad in front of our guests."
Fixing makeup and adjusting dresses were tasks for the lowest-level assistants. Cynthia knew Rebecca was trying to humiliate her since it had been happening since they were kids.
With a cold smile, Cynthia walked over. "I'm an employee of Stewart Group, not your personal servant. If you can't understand that simple fact, you must be stupid."
Rebecca pouted and turned to Andrew. "Andrew, I just asked Cynthia for a little help. Why is she being so difficult?"
Andrew frowned, his cold gaze shifting to Cynthia. Yet he was actually surprised by her reaction.
Cynthia had always been meek and accommodating, rarely refusing anyone. When did she become so assertive?
He looked her over and noticed she seemed different today.
Dressed in a black silk evening gown, the train flowing gracefully behind her, she looked elegant and striking. Her slender neck and bold red lips made her look like a different person, confident, aloof, and stunning.
Andrew's breath caught as he gazed at her. For the first time, he realized how beautiful Cynthia truly was! She seemed like a goddess, just as her name suggested, like the moon goddess!
"Andrew!"
As the tension between them grew, a carefree, almost lazy voice cut through the crowd.
Cynthia turned to see Wayne Stewart, Andrew's half-brother, making his way towards them.
Wayne, the illegitimate son of Andrew's father, was always at odds with Andrew but had a soft spot for Cynthia.
In her previous life, he had often come to her rescue, and here he was again, right on cue.
Andrew's face darkened. "Who invited you?"
"Dad did," Wayne replied with a casual grin, clearly unbothered by the hostility or himself being a bastard. "He heard about the opening dance and thought you might be too stiff and scare off the guests, so he sent me to lighten things up a bit. But it looks like Dad's worries were unnecessary."
Wayne glanced meaningfully at Rebecca and leaned casually towards Cynthia. "Cynthia, who's this lovely lady? Andrew's new fling?"
"Watch your mouth..." Rebecca blushed with anger and embarrassment.
Cynthia smirked. "Why don't you let Andrew introduce her?"
Andrew narrowed his eyes, his icy gaze like daggers, casting a chill over the two of them. "Cynthia, since when did you and Wayne get so close that he's willing to be your pawn?!"
Cynthia was infuriated by the accusation. She let out a cold laugh. "I'm not like you. I stand by my actions. Besides, was he wrong about anything?"
"Cynthia!" Andrew's voice was sharp with displeasure. Cynthia's boldness today was shocking. She was actually talking back to him openly!
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a gentle melody filled the hall as the dance began. Guests paired off with their partners, moving to the music.
"Cynthia, may I have this dance?" Wayne, noticing Andrew's darkening expression, offered his hand to Cynthia with a charming smile.
"Sure," Cynthia replied, ignoring Andrew's warning look. She smiled sweetly, placing her hand in Wayne's. "But I'm not very good."
"That's alright. I'll teach you." Wayne's voice was gentle as he led Cynthia into the dance floor, his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
Their intimacy was like a thorn in Andrew's side.
Andrew couldn't understand why he was so fixated on Cynthia tonight.
Her every move seemed to draw his attention, especially now. Seeing her laugh so brightly in Wayne's arms stirred an inexplicable anger within him.
"Andrew?" Rebecca stepped into his line of sight, her voice laced with disappointment. "We were supposed to lead the opening dance."
On the dance floor, Wayne and Cynthia moved in perfect harmony, their steps intricate and seamless, like butterflies about to take flight.
Andrew felt a surge of irritation, his voice hoarse with suppressed emotion. "Forget it. I don't like dancing." With that, he turned and walked away.
Rebecca cast a cold glance towards the dance floor.
You should enjoy it while you would, Cynthia! Your time in the spotlight wouldn't last long!
From a distance, Cynthia watched Rebecca's hurried departure, a fleeting thought crossing her mind.
She misstepped, accidentally treading on Wayne's foot.
"Sorry." Cynthia paused, looking flustered.
"It's alright. Shall we try again?" Wayne suggested with a smile.
Cynthia seemed to have made up her mind. "I'm sorry, but I need to go."
She discreetly followed Rebecca, watching her enter the media room and then leave a few moments later.
Once Rebecca was gone, Cynthia slipped inside.
She opened the folder on the computer and, just as she suspected, Rebecca had swapped the video she had prepared to sabotage her again!
Cynthia's eyes gleamed with a chilling resolve.
In her previous life, she had been too weak to fight back. This time, things would be different!
She uploaded the damning evidence against Rebecca into the folder, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.
Soon, she would expose Rebecca's true colors and bring her down for good!
- Writer
