Chapter 12 Public Blunder

• As the lights dimmed in the conference hall, everyone turned their gaze to the main stage, listening as the emcee announced, "Now, I announce that the 'Quest of Love' appraisal event officially begins. Feel free to start appraising the products, everyone."
• The jewelry designers and successful business people attending the event were engaging in small talks with one another when they paused before a ring at the same time. The ring, made entirely of platinum, was precisely the one Melanie had chosen just now.
• "Oh, this ring's design is really unique. I wonder if there's a story behind it," said the owner of Capstone Realty, a real estate company.
• "Indeed, it's a fine piece of work, though I know nothing about its design. Haha…"
• The other business people were interested in the ring as well. They heaped flattery on one another, but none of them could tell the story behind the ring.
• Feeling that it was time for her to shine, Melanie stepped forward and ran her fingers through her hair in an attractive way. Then, she introduced herself with a smile, saying, "Hi, everyone. I'm Melanie Greyson, President Luke's companion. Gentlemen, this ring is designed by Mr. Sam Cruz, who got the inspiration when he proposed to his lover with a red rose in his hand…"
• The instant Melanie said that, the businessmen and jewelry designers around her knitted their brows slightly.
• However, Melanie didn't notice anything wrong. She proceeded to introduce the bracelet next to her, saying, "This bracelet is named 'Chain of Love,' and it's designed in the shape of handcuffs to put the cuffs on the love between every couple so that it lasts forever…" She talked endlessly, introducing the bracelet with pride written all over her face.
• A long while later, though, she didn't receive compliments and gasps of admiration as she had imagined. Instead, these business people and jewelry designers seemed to be pointing at her and whispering something among themselves with visible mockery on their faces.
• "Is this woman really President Luke's companion? She's here to be funny, right?"
• "Seriously, I wonder what gave her the confidence to come forward and explain Sam Cruz's works without even knowing her gender."
• "That's right! If it were me, I'd have wished for the ground to open up and swallow me whole at once!"
• Melanie's smile froze in an instant. What the hell is going on? How could these pieces of information be wrong? It was Vania who… Vania?!
• She immediately realized what had happened. That b*tch actually set me up and caused me to make a fool of myself in front of so many people! Trembling all over with rage, she gnashed her teeth in resentment while glaring fiercely at the smiling Vania.
• Just then, as if she hadn't provoked her enough, Vania raised her wine glass at Melanie, stood up, and came over to the crowd, carrying herself with such outstanding deportment and grace that everyone stared at her without being able to tear their eyes away.
• "How beautiful! What an angelic beauty! To think that an evening gown of such a color could look so gorgeous on her!"
• "What an enviable figure she has."
• "Who is this lady? She looks so refined and graceful."
• Seeing Vania coming over, Hanson and his two sons unconsciously stepped into the crowd, wanting to see what the young woman was up to.
• Watching Hanson's movements, Melanie went mad with jealousy, and her eyes blazed with hatred.
• Vania's eyes briefly ran across Melanie, whose face was slightly contorted with hatred. Then, turning to face the crowd, she spoke in a confident and poised manner. "Hi, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Vania Greyson, the head of Galaxy Corporation. My understanding of these pieces of work is somewhat different from Miss Melanie Greyson's…"
• She stood before the ring first, ignoring Melanie, who was gnashing her teeth in hatred. Looking at the ring, she said in a businesslike tone, "This ring is designed by Miss Samantha Cruz. One day, her lover got down on one knee in front of her with a rose in his hand and made a lifetime vow…" After studying the bracelet, she darted a glance at Melanie with a wry smile. "This bracelet's name is 'Forbidden,'" she said, stressing the word "Forbidden." Then, she continued, "It's designed in the shape of handcuffs to warn those who are in love to uphold their principles and not cross the boundary into the forbidden area… In other words, this bracelet isn't so much about love as about staying chaste, and it's a bracelet for your lover as well as yourself."
• "What a great explanation!"
• "What an insightful explanation, President Greyson! We really benefited a lot from it."
• The crowd gathered around Vania, praising her to the skies while looking at her with nothing but admiration.
• Morales and Morgan nodded and smiled as well. Miss Vania is so amazing! Not only is she skilled at drawing, but she's also very knowledgeable.
• On the complete contrary, though, Hanson was giving off chilly vibes, his face sullen. This Vania woman is very good at attracting men, huh? Didn't she notice that those men's eyes were almost glued to her? He didn't know what made him so angry, but he wished he could throw these men out of here.
• On the other hand, Melanie had apparently been forgotten by everyone, having become a laughingstock by comparison with Vania. However, she couldn't reconcile herself to this. There's no way Vania knows everything, she thought. She had just had somebody look into the most valuable pendant at the event, which was recently designed by Mia Stravinsky, a master of jewelry design. Today was the first day it would be shown to the public, so no one knew its origins yet. It took her men a great deal of effort to find out little information about the pendant, so she didn't believe that Vania would know about it.
• Subsequently, she stepped forward and looked at Vania provocatively, saying, "Miss Greyson, could you tell us the story behind this pendant? We'd like to learn from you. Since you're so knowledgeable, surely you know the story, right?"
• Seeing Melanie's smug smile, Vania knew at once that the former wanted to see her make a fool of herself. Consequently, she purposely played Melanie along, pretending that she didn't know much about the pendant. "Well… Who am I to judge the work of a master?"