Free Web NovelChapter 85: Chapter 85: Cocktail Party Conflict
Holly was stunned.
She quickly shook her head. "Of course not! Brandon, I—"
"I don’t either," Brandon Sterling said.
"..."
"Since neither of us has any of those sordid thoughts, why should we worry about avoiding suspicion?" His expression was open and honest, and every word made sense.
Holly frowned slightly. "I’m just worried Tristan Sterling will target you..."
"Tristan’s prejudice against me started a long time ago." Brandon Sterling gave a helpless smile.
In other words, with or without her, Tristan Sterling wouldn’t let him off easy.
"But..."
"Holly, if you’ve done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear."
Those gentle words swept away her inner turmoil and anxiety.
Holly was successfully convinced.
"You’re right, Brandon!" It was like a sudden awakening, and she nodded emphatically.
’That’s right!’
’What do I have to worry about?!’
’Tristan Sterling parades Vivian Linton around town without a shred of guilt.’
’Why should I ruthlessly push away someone who cares about me just because of malicious gossip?’
"Thank you, Brandon," Holly said gratefully.
Looking at Brandon Sterling, she couldn’t help but think of her own brother, Noah Sinclair.
His care and guidance made her feel a warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time.
"Is that the only ’thanks’ I get?" Brandon Sterling chuckled, feigning dissatisfaction.
Holly caught on immediately and smiled back. "I’ll treat you to dinner some other day."
But Brandon Sterling shook his head, his smile fading as he became serious. "We can skip the dinner, but there is a favor I’d like to ask of you."
"Go ahead, Brandon."
"I have a social engagement tomorrow night, and I’m in need of a date."
"Okay." Holly nodded in agreement.
Brandon had saved her from trouble several times. This was the first time he had asked for her help, so she had no reason to refuse.
Seeing her agree, Brandon Sterling was very happy.
With a gentle smile, he glanced at his watch and said tactfully, "It’s getting late, so I won’t see you up."
Then he handed her an exquisite bag. "This is the gown I prepared for you. I’ll pick you up at six-thirty tomorrow evening."
"Okay." Holly nodded and took it.
"Good night."
"Good night, Brandon."
Brandon Sterling watched Holly enter the building before turning to leave.
Not far away, in a black luxury car, the man in the back seat had a grim expression.
His sinister dark eyes shot out a terrifyingly cold light, taking in the scene of Holly and Brandon Sterling chatting happily.
His fists were clenched so tight his knuckles had turned white.
Although he couldn’t hear what they were saying, the intimate scene filled the man with a murderous urge.
Connor Grant found the low pressure in the car unbearable and tentatively spoke in a low voice, "Second Master, it seems the madam has misunderstood Mr. Sterling’s project. Should I go and explain—"
"She’s not worthy."
The three chilling words slipped from the man’s thin lips, completely devoid of warmth.
"..."
The corner of Connor Grant’s mouth twitched, and he didn’t dare say another word.
...
「The next day.」
At 7:00 PM, Holly appeared at the cocktail party on time, arm in arm with Brandon Sterling. freewebnσvel.cøm
The moment they appeared, they drew the attention of the entire room.
Holly was breathtakingly beautiful tonight.
The pale yellow gown Brandon Sterling had prepared for her was elegant and flowing, yet dazzlingly brilliant.
She looked like a sprightly young maiden in springtime.
"Brandon, is my makeup smudged? Why does it seem like everyone is staring at me?"
Feeling so many gazes on her, Holly asked worriedly in a low voice, afraid she would embarrass Brandon Sterling.
"It’s because you’re too beautiful!" Brandon Sterling said, his smile tinged with adoration.
Holly’s cheeks reddened at the compliment, and she quickly said, "It’s mainly because you picked such a good dress, Brandon."
The words had barely left her mouth when two figures suddenly appeared before them. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
It was Vivian Linton and Megan Grayson.
"Holly, have you no shame? How dare you parade around with another man on your arm! You’re completely disrespecting my brother!"
Megan Grayson took the lead, glaring viciously at Holly and Brandon Sterling’s linked arms and immediately launching into a tirade.
’Enemies are always bound to cross paths.’
The good mood from a moment ago vanished instantly. Holly sneered and retorted, "And your brother parades around with other women all the time, doesn’t he? He doesn’t respect me either, so it’s mutual. We’re even, so neither of us has room to talk!"
At the same time, she shot a deeply scornful glance at Vivian Linton.
But Vivian Linton was incredibly thick-skinned and wasn’t affected in the slightest.
Her face full of indignation, she condemned Holly righteously, "Holly, you are a woman. A woman should be chaste and virtuous. It’s already wrong of you to be making a public appearance, but to be so openly affectionate with another man... Where does that leave Tristan’s dignity?"
"What business is it of yours?"
Holly’s words were light and airy.
"You—" Vivian choked, feeling as if she had punched a wad of cotton. Her face turned a mixture of pale and green.
Seeing Vivian defeated after just one exchange, Megan Grayson was resentful and indignant.
She turned on Brandon Sterling instead, sneering contemptuously. "Holly! Are you that desperate? You’ll sink your teeth into any man you can find. Then again, a bitch like you only deserves to be with a bastard who can’t be seen in public—"
SLAP!
Holly’s hand flew up and slapped her across the face.
The force of it knocked Megan Grayson’s head to one side.
She was in disbelief, never expecting Holly would dare to get physical at an event like this.
Megan Grayson’s face twisted in fury. "Holly, you bitch—"
"Megan Grayson, try saying one more filthy word. I don’t mind teaching you some manners!"
Holly’s gaze was ice-cold, her eyes brimming with killing intent.
For some reason, Megan Grayson felt Holly’s eyes at that moment looked just like her second cousin’s, and she was involuntarily intimidated.
Seeing the conflict erupt, people began to crowd around.
Onlookers are never opposed to a bit of drama.
Vivian Linton quickly went to support the slapped Megan Grayson, deliberately raising her voice. "Holly, how could you hit someone? Besides, Megan wasn’t wrong. Brandon Sterling really is an illegitimate—"
SLAP! SLAP!
Holly struck with both her left and right hands, clean and decisive.
"AHH!"
Vivian Linton stumbled back two steps from the blows, tears instantly welling up in her eyes.
Just then, a waiter passed by. Enraged, Megan Grayson snatched a bottle of red wine from the waiter’s tray and swung it viciously at Holly’s head.
"Go to hell, you bitch!"
She shrieked furiously.
"Holly!"
In the nick of time, Brandon Sterling pulled Holly into his arms, shielding her tightly.
CRASH!
The wine bottle smashed heavily against Brandon Sterling’s head.
Blood trickled down from his forehead.
"Brandon!" Holly cried out in alarm, quickly reaching out to support him.
Brandon Sterling’s face was pale. He seemed to be in too much pain to speak.
Holly was utterly enraged.
A blazing fire burned in her eyes as she ground her teeth and advanced on Megan Grayson.
Megan Grayson flinched, fear rising in her heart.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out from the back of the crowd.
Seeing a familiar tall figure breaking through the crowd, Vivian Linton immediately spread her arms to block Megan Grayson, shielding her.
"Holly, don’t make things difficult for Megan! She didn’t do it on purpose..."
Hearing Vivian Linton’s hypocritical tone, Holly raised her hand to slap her again.
"AHH!" Vivian Linton shrieked, covering her head.
"Stop!"
