Chapter 373 A Slap On the Face
Grace was hustling forward, her brain going a million miles a minute. She felt like her head was about to blow up. She almost smacked right into the model in front of her.
The model shot her a look. "What the hell are you doing? Back off! How are you gonna exit like this?"
Grace, all flustered and pissed, stepped back quick. The blister on her right foot was killing her, so she shifted most of her weight to her left leg.
Out of nowhere, the heel of her high heel snapped, and down she went.
Someone in the audience stood up, looking all disgusted. This was a Fashion Week, not some rinky-dink event.
The model in front turned back, looking super annoyed. "Get up, quick!"
Grace whispered, "I think I twisted my ankle."
The model turned away, not wanting to risk her gig over Grace's screw-up.
Soon, all the models were on stage. After striking their poses, they started heading backstage one by one.
But Grace was still on the ground, too embarrassed to even lift her head.
The live stream chat blew up with comments.
[Oh my God! This is the biggest fail of the year!]
[Move! Get up!]
[I can't believe it, there are so many foreign guests at this fashion week, how embarrassing.]
[If you can't handle it, don't take the job!]
[Grace, you can do it! You're the best!]
Seeing the models exiting, Grace freaked out. She tried to push herself up.
She finally stood, but as soon as she stepped on her hurt foot, pain shot through her. She collapsed again, landing on her knees.
The audience gasped. No sympathy, just disappointment.
Grace's teeth chattered, her body trembling. She bit her lower lip hard, drawing blood. Tears blurred her vision.
She clutched her dress, wishing she could tear it to shreds. She regretted going on stage. 'If it weren't for Luann, I wouldn't have been switched to these high heels and bombed the runway!'
Grace looked up and locked eyes with someone in the audience.
Luann was lounging in her chair, watching with satisfaction.
The organizers hesitated, about to pull Grace off the stage.
But then they heard Luann say softly, "Let her stay up there. Didn't she really want to be in this Fashion Week? If she leaves now, she won't get her wish."
The organizers quickly agreed, "Yes, I understand."
Because of Luann's meddling, Grace had to stay on stage. The models behind her silently walked around her. In the end, she was left all alone.
Grace had hoped a staff member would pull her off the stage. But no one did. She couldn't believe she had been ditched like this.
'It must be that bitch Luann! Why is she so cruel? Luann is from the Curtis family, and I'm her sister-in-law! Is this how she treats family? Letting everyone laugh at me and capturing my embarrassment on camera!' Grace's anger clouded her mind, shattering her rationality.
Suddenly, the stage lights went out. Grace snapped back to reality and hurriedly crawled backstage.
But she had only crawled about 10 feet when the lights flicked back on.
Everyone stared at her, snickering quietly. Even the dude about to introduce Sunflower's clothing was stunned, not sure what to do. He looked over at the organizer sitting next to Luann for some guidance.
The organizer just waved his hand, signaling to ignore her.
Grace saw the gesture and, with all her might, lunged forward, grabbing Luann's leg. She shouted angrily, "Luann! Is it fun to humiliate me like this?"
Her sharp voice echoed through the convention center via the microphone. The organizers' faces changed, hurriedly signaling for someone to take Grace off the stage.
No one had expected Grace to cause a scene at such a big event. Did she really not care about her future?
The silent convention center had all eyes on Luann, waiting for her response.
Even the cameraman silently switched the camera between the two of them. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were filming a drama.
Luann's red lips parted slightly.
The organizer immediately turned on his microphone and held it to her mouth.
"Humiliate? What are you talking about? Isn't it that you ruined Sunflower's clothes trying to frame me, and now you're angry and trying to regain your dignity? There's no need for that."
Hearing this, the audience became restless.
"What?"
"She ruined Sunflower's clothes?"
"Is she nuts?"
Grace was sure there were no cameras backstage. Her smile turned manic, her eyes bloodshot. "Luann, you dare to do it but not admit it? You clearly stepped on my dress backstage and tore it! But because you're the biggest investor in this fashion week, the organizers didn't dare to trouble you and just put up with it! Wrong is wrong! Even if you're an investor, so what? Can you just blame it on someone else? The organizers don't dare to say it, but I do! Sunflower's designer worked hard to create those clothes. Why should they be ruined by you without taking responsibility and even blaming someone else? If you have the guts, call the designer out and ask if she's willing to forgive you!"
The room fell silent.
Facing Grace's barrage of accusations and anger, Luann showed no sign of anger. Instead, she smiled.
After a full two minutes of silence, someone finally realized something.
"Didn't they say there were no other investors besides Sunflower this year? Then what is this?"
Luann looked relaxed, a shawl draped loosely over her shoulders, appearing so noble. Compared to Grace, who was like a mad woman, Luann seemed like a glowing deity. Her aura was as pure as an angel.
Luann spoke slowly, "Are you saying that as Sunflower's fashion designer, I would destroy my own work at the Fashion Week?"
Everyone's minds went blank.
