Filed To Story: The Scarlet Vengeance: Justice of a Framed Beauty Novel (Grace & Jason)
Phoebe Cross’s expression changed slightly as she glared at Valda Theller and turned to leave.
Several other women followed Phoebe Cross, leaving Brian, Valda Theller, the makeup artist, and the makeup artist’s assistant in the makeup room.
Brian finished putting on the earrings for Valda Theller. The person in front of him was ordinary at first, but she became more beautiful the longer he looked at her.
“Are her makeup and hair done?” he asked.
“She hasn’t put on her shoes,” the makeup artist said, and their assistant quickly took the shoes that had been prepared for Valda Theller.
“I’ll do it,” Brian said as he took the shoes from the assistant and crouched in front of Valda Theller.
“Hey, I… I can wear them myself,” Valda Theller said quickly.
He raised his chin slightly and looked at her. “Let me put them on for you. It’s easier.”
She was sitting in the chair, and he crouched in front of her. When he lowered his head to help her put on the shoes, it made her feel as if she was Cinderella and he was Prince Charming putting the glass slippers on her.
‘That’s right. Other people think I’m Cinderella and am lucky to have caught the crown prince’s eye.
.
When he finished putting on the shoes for Valda Theller, Brian said, “Take a couple of steps to see if they’re tight.”
Valda Theller got up and walked for two steps before saying. “They’re fine, but the heels are a little high. I’m afraid I’ll fall if I lose my footing.”
“Grab my arm so you won’t fall,” said Brian.
She bit her lip slightly and muttered, “Okay.”
“Well, it’s almost time. Let’s go.” He reached out his hand and took hers.
Valda Theller followed Brian into the car, and Brian said, “Why are your palms so sweaty? Is it hot?”
“No, it’s not hot. Miss Song and her friends came in just now, and I… I was kind of scared. So…” With that said, she lowered her head in embarrassment.
Brian pondered for a moment before saying, “I’m sorry I scared you.”
He said as he pulled out his handkerchief, took her hand, and gently wiped the sweat from it.
He was so gentle.
Valda Theller hesitated and said, “Will you think I’m useless?”
“No, I think you’re much braver and stronger than I thought. You managed to intimidate those people even when I wasn’t around. The next time someone says something that upsets you or tries to do anything to you, mention my name,” said Brian.
“You… You heard that?” She felt even more awkward now. He knew how she tried to intimidate them with him.
“Yes, I heard you tell them I love you very much,” he said.
“I… I made that up. I hope you don’t mind.” She lowered her head more.
He said, “Why would I mind? I hope I can fall for you sooner. Next time, you can also tell them I’ll be distressed if anyone hurts you, and I’ll make them pay back a hundred or a thousand times over.”
Valda Theller froze before suddenly looking up blankly at Brian.
“If you say that, then I think few people in Emerald City will dare to lay a hand on you,” he continued.
She felt as if her heart was weighed down by something. She knew he said it for her own good, but… it also meant that she would further expand the lie in front of people to protect herself.
He probably considered it a white lie to protect her.
“Thank you,” she said, slowly pulling her hand away from his.
A strange feeling of emptiness swept over him as he looked at his empty hand.
The car stopped at the entrance of the charity gala. After Valda Theller and Brian got out of the car, there were flashing lights.
Valda Theller tried to avoid them.
“Don’t be afraid.” Brian’s voice rang in her ears. “These are just some routine shots. But don’t worry, your photos won’t appear online.”
She was reassured as she knew he was capable of doing just that.
“You don’t have to look into the cameras. If you don’t know where to look, just look at me.” His voice continued to ring in her ears.
She calmed down slightly.
“Okay… I… I understand,” replied Valda Theller as she looked at the Brian standing beside her. Her tense mood seemed to calm down too.
Holding Brian’s arm, Valda Theller followed Brian’s stepa and slowly walked into the gala venue.
214
Although some reporters and cameras could be seen inside the venue, they were not as many as the ones outside. Besides, as Brian said before, the reporters did not come forward to interview them.
Valda Theller looked around. Tonight was indeed a night full of stars. The stars who attended the gala were big shots in the industry. She saw A-listers everywhere. There were few B-listers, let alone C-listers.
She could feel the celebrities looking at her as if they were examining something. Their gazes were envious, mocking, or expectant of drama.
Just then, she caught sight of Phoebe Cross in a gown out of the corners of her eyes. She froze instantly.
After all, the two of them had met not that long ago.
Phoebe Cross saw her as well. With a disdainful yet calculating look on her face, she turned and walked the other way.
“What’s the matter?” Brian, who was standing beside her, asked as he seemed to notice something wrong with her.
“It’s nothing.” Valda Theller said with a smile.
“What a surprise. Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in charity galas? I thought you weren’t coming.”
A voice rang out, and Valda Theller looked in the direction of the voice to see a familiar figure approaching.
It was… Patrick!
Valda Theller recognized him immediately. Brian had introduced him to her. He was Brian’s friend since childhood.
Valda Theller looked at Brian in surprise. “You didn’t want to attend the gala?”
Brian smiled faintly. “I didn’t plan to attend, but I came with you since you wanted to attend it.”
Valda Theller paused slightly. It turned out… he came specially to accompany her.
Patrick walked up to the two of them and greeted Valda Theller, “Hi, Valda. You’ve changed a lot during the short time we didn’t meet. You look beautiful today.”
“Thank you,” Valda Theller replied politely with a slightly red face.
“I’m afraid you’ll be someone everyone in the entertainment industry wants to suck up to after attending the gala today,”
Patrick said with a smile.
174
“No way…” said Valda Theller.
“Why not? Many people want to suck up to Brian, so they’ll also want to suck up to you,” Patrick said and patted Brian on the shoulder before saying to Valda Theller, “Speaking of which, my buddy is serious about you. He’s attending a gala he refused to attend for you.
What about you? How are you going to repay him?”
Valda Theller did not know what to say when she met the playful look in Patrick’s eyes.
Brian defused her embarrassment by saying to Patrick, “Alright, why are you talking so much? What about you? What are you doing here?”