Chapter 453

“Anth?”
The word hung in the air. Charlotte’s eyes darkened, and she slipped her hand out of Anthony’s, tucking it into her pocket. It was like a cloud had suddenly settled over her.
Melissa caught the reaction and couldn’t hide her smug grin. She looked straight at Charlotte, her voice full of challenge. “Not just anyone can get their hands on Sunset, you know. There are so many fakes floating around. I was just worried she might get scammed.”
She was basically accusing Charlotte of gifting a forgery, just without saying it outright.
Fake? Scammed?
Anthony’s gaze sharpened, a chill settling over his features. If he hadn’t known the truth-that Charlotte was Halation-he might have worried for a second. But he did know, and it made all the difference.
He slid his arm around Charlotte’s waist, turning just enough to look at her. His voice was calm but carried an edge. “Let me set the record straight. She’s not my friend.”
Not his friend?
Melissa’s fingers curled at her side. Maybe, just maybe, she still had a chance.
“She’s my fiancée.”
Fiancée. That word hit harder than anything else could have.
Melissa went pale. He was really going to marry this ordinary, small-town nobody? What about their families’ arrangement? Everyone in their circle had been sure it would be her and Anthony getting engaged.
“And another thing Anthony’s voice was low, his gaze locked on Melissa. “Anth? Who told you you could call me that?”
The whispers in the room grew louder. Anthony’s fiancée. The future Mrs. Blair. No one in this crowd would risk crossing her now.
Charlotte arched an eyebrow, then
gave Anthony’s palm a quick, meaningful squeeze. He felt the sting, but instead of being annoyed, his smole just grew. To everyone else, it looked like they were just* flirting.

Patricia covered her mouth to hide a laugh, then tried to act composed.
“Ms. Carter, maybe theres.
been a
misunderstanding about the
painting,” she said, her tone Smooth. “Let’s just leave it at that.”
Leave it? What was it about this girl that made Patricia willing to overlook a supposed fake?
“Grandma, I was just worried she’d been tricked
“Ms. Carter, just call me Patricia.” Patricia’s voice was suddenly sharp, her patience gone.
She turned to Charlotte, her tone softening as she gestured for her to come over. “Lottie, come here, dear.”
Melissa’s face darkened. She
watched as Charlotte started toward
Patricia, then called out with a cold
little smile, “You must’ve bought
fake by accident. Lucky for you
Patricia isp rupset. Be more carefu next time.”
Charlotte just glanced at her, not even bothering to reply.
Melissa tried again, a little louder, “But even if we ignore the fake, what’s with your outfit? Isn’t it kind of disrespectful to dress like that in front of Patricia?”
Charlotte stopped, lifted her chin, and met Melissa’s gaze with a cool, flawless look. Her lips curled in a slight, dangerous smile. “My fiancé told me to wear this.”
Melissa had nothing left to say.