Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Chapter 51

Harriet glanced again at the necklace around Simone's neck, and the realization hit her. She smiled slightly. "Mrs. Macclain, I think you've got it wrong. I don't actually know this Ms. Macclain."

"Huh?"

The crowd gasped in astonishment, then fell silent, casting various looks at Carmella.

Carmella lowered her head and gently pulled on Simone's arm, whispering. "Mom, I'm not feeling well. Can we leave and go home?"

Simone's smile froze, her eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and bewilderment.

Mrs. Robert immediately chimed in mockingly, "Don't know her? How is that possible? Just a moment ago, Ms. Macclain claimed she knew Ms. Harriet and that the necklace she gave to Mrs. Macclain was a custom order from Ms. Harriet herself. Could it be..."

She wore an incredulous expression, "Could someone be lying?"

Harriet smiled faintly, her gaze cold, "I really don't know her."

Mrs. Robert scoffed, "Oh, how interesting. If their friendship is fake, is the necklace fake too?"

Harriet spoke calmly, "Is it the necklace that Mrs. Macclain is wearing? The necklace is real and indeed was ordered by a Ms. Macclain, but not this one."

Stopping there, Harriet gave a slight nod to the crowd, "I have things to do, so I'll be going first. Have fun, everyone!"

"Goodbye, Ms. Harriet!"

"Goodbye!"

As the crowd bid farewell to Harriet, their expressions shifted when they turned their attention to Simone and her daughter. Initially, they had been envious of Simone's talented daughter and impressed by Carmella's acquaintance with Harriet. However, now their once envious gazes transformed into ones filled with disdain and mockery.

Mrs. Robert crossed her arms and didn't hide her glee, "It's better to be low key, especially if you don't have the ability, to avoid being embarrassed."

"Exactly, she's so young and already so vain!"

"Thankfully Ms. Harriet came, so we weren't fooled!"

"Let's not talk about this anymore!"

Simone's expression turned increasingly sour, particularly in the presence of her rival, Mrs. Robert. Fueled by anger, she forcefully shoved Carmella and admonished her, "Let's leave! Do you want us to keep humiliating ourselves here?"

With those words, Simone stormed down the stairs, her high heels clicking loudly, a scowl etched across her face.

Carmella followed her, tears filling her eyes.

They didn't even stay for the banquet, and Simone took Carmella straight home.

It was Saturday, and Bennett hadn't gone to the office. He was practicing his handwriting at the desk in the living room. Seeing them enter, he smiled, "Weren't you guys supposed to be at Old Mrs. Copeland's birthday banquet? Why are you home so soon?"

Simone slumped onto the couch, her face tense and silent. Sensing that something was amiss, Bennett approached her. Noticing Carmella standing nearby with a pale expression, he quickly inquired, "What

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happened? What's going on?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Carmella burst into tears.

Bennett was startled, and Simone threw a throw pillow at Carmella angrily, yelling, "You still have the nerve to cry?!"

Carmella didn't attempt to evade or shield herself, bracing for the impact as the pillow struck her. She broke into even deeper sobs, her hands instinctively covering her face, while her entire body trembled with emotion.

Bennett sympathetically held her shoulder, asking in a deep voice, "What on earth happened?"