Chapter 1569 Devoured by Their Stares
The stares that fell upon her seemed to devour her whole.
After a moment of silence, Elara feigned surprise, covering her mouth. "What is this woman doing here? How did she even get in? Someone throw her out immediately."
Alex glanced at her, knowing full well that Connie shouldn't have been able to enter this bar. Clearly, Elara had pulled some strings.
Originally, Elara had planned for Connie to humiliate herself in front of Paul, but Ann's presence was an unexpected bonus—killing two birds with one stone.
As security personnel dragged Connie away, she continued hurling obscenities. "Get your hands off me! I'll kill that bitch! That fucking bitch!"
The crude language made everyone in the room wince.
Elara seized the moment, her voice dripping with false concern. "Miss White, your mother's being thrown out. Shouldn't you check on her? Perhaps teach her some manners while you're at it. It's hard to believe a woman could speak so vulgarly—makes one question her upbringing."
Ann froze, instinctively looking toward Paul.
She couldn't help herself; she needed to see his reaction.
Paul frowned, though whether at Ann's predicament or Connie's outburst remained unclear.
Ann dared not hope for anything. She clutched her purse tightly, fingers brushing against her swollen cheek.
Anyone could see the slap mark on her face. Paul probably assumed it came from Connie—given their notoriously poor relationship and Connie's reputation as a shrew, it would seem natural that she'd strike her daughter.
He'd never suspect Emily.
Ann heard Emily's soft laughter. "See, Ann? This isn't a place for you or your mother. Some people need to recognize their station in life."
Elara interjected with feigned kindness. "Emily, that's enough. Miss White has been humiliated enough tonight. Let someone take her home."
Elara's face was the picture of gentleness, every inch the refined heiress.
Ann, by contrast, stood in the shadows, reduced to a laughingstock.
The other guests whispered among themselves, but no one spoke up.
Only Alex frowned, sensing somehow that Paul would come to regret this night.
Paul rarely got close to women. Even tonight, though he'd agreed to meet Elara, he maintained a polite distance between them.
Ann was his first woman—his only woman thus far—and that counted for something.
Alex looked toward Paul, but saw only his back.
Apparently finding the whole scene tedious, Paul had already started walking out.
As he passed Ann, he paused briefly.
Ann tensed, then heard him mutter, "Pathetic."
The word pierced her like a blade through the heart, nearly doubling her over with pain.
But she couldn't deny it—she was pathetic tonight.
She turned away, unable to bear any more.
Elara quickly followed Paul's footsteps toward the exit.
Catching Ann's eye, she gave a slight smile—not mocking, but somehow worse for its subtlety.
Alex watched the scene unfold, shaking his head. Just when he thought Ann might break down, she approached him with surprising composure.
"Mr. Reed, I'd like a word with you."
Paul, nearly at the door, instinctively hesitated when he saw Ann approach Alex, unable to resist looking back.
Ann stood before Alex with a forced smile despite her swollen face.
Before Alex could respond, Emily cut in, "Ann, what's this about? Can't get Paul, so you're switching targets? How desperate can you be?"
Ann replied calmly, "I have business with Mr. Reed."
She saw no need to explain herself to Emily.
Her composure infuriated Emily, who was about to lash out when Alex intervened. "Enough. Paul's leaving—you'd better catch up."
Emily relented with a cold snort and hurried after Paul.
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