CHAPTER 140: CHAPTER 140: WE’RE QUITE FAMILIAR

When the banquet began, Zane Sterling immediately noticed Beau Morgan.

This didn’t surprise him much.

Beau wanted to greet Zane, but Zane only spared her a glance and didn’t look at her again.

Beau felt a bit discouraged.

Last night, when her legs hurt, she’d tried to seek some comfort from Zane. Instead, he gave her a long vacation, telling her to rest up at home and only come back when called.

But unexpectedly, Zane had Shane Graham from headquarters take over her work right away.

Wasn’t this basically a demotion? Did she really become all title, no substance?

She grew nervous, afraid that Zane had noticed something.

Though she’d planted quite a few people in the company, they were all folks close to her, and they were capable enough—not a bunch of nobodies.

Zane couldn’t possibly be that blind.

But Zane hadn’t completely ousted her; the people she had put in, he planned to turn to his side.

That wouldn’t be difficult.

So he wasn’t feeling any pressure at all.

The banquet had invited ten Michelin chefs, and the dishes were the big topic of the night.

Zane was chatting enthusiastically with the man across from him, while Ethan Sinclair chimed in now and then.

Sophia Lowell had a good appetite and ate a bit too much, so she told Zane she’d step out for a walk to digest.

Zane nodded, squeezing her hand before she left. Sophia smiled.

He was getting more and more clingy.

Sophia left, walked out of the banquet hall, and made her way to the courtyard.

The band was still playing. She stood quietly to the side and listened as four socialites approached her, Beau Morgan among them.

"Mrs. Sterling." A woman in a Chanel-inspired outfit greeted her.

Sophia looked at her, smiled, nodded, and then rested her gaze on Beau for two seconds.

"Mrs. Sterling, I saw you at Annie’s cocktail party last night. Your outfit was stunning. I heard it was designed by Professor Fumble too?"

"Yes, it was by Professor Fumble." She replied flatly.

The woman’s smile grew even wider. "I didn’t get your WhatsApp last night. Would you mind recommending me?"

Sophia thought: the ones Annie didn’t add last night were definitely the ones Annie didn’t approve of. Seeing her still clinging to Beau’s arm, it was clear they were birds of a feather—no decent ones, that’s for sure.

"Well..." Sophia seemed a bit embarrassed.

"So hesitant—do you actually have Professor Fumble’s WhatsApp? Or do you not even know her at all?" Vivian Hale suddenly spoke up.

Sophia pursed her lips and remained silent, unwilling to get into a war of words with them.

Beau spoke up then. "Of course Mrs. Sterling knows Professor Fumble. The evening gown Mr. Sterling ordered for me was designed personally by Professor Fumble. Since Mr. Sterling knows her, Mrs. Sterling definitely does too."

She was deliberately name-dropping Zane’s name, hoping to earn everyone’s envy—like Zane treated her specially by arranging a custom gown.

"Mr. Sterling said this was the first time he’d ever asked Professor Fumble for a private commission." Beau added.

The first time?

So even Sophia hadn’t gotten that privilege?

Everyone started murmuring.

Gossiping that Zane had personally ordered a gown for the manager—even while Mrs. Sterling was right here, pampering her so blatantly?

If Professor Fumble’s first custom commission didn’t go to Mrs. Sterling, but instead went to Beau Morgan, what did that mean?

No wonder it was Sophia’s first time appearing at so many events—previously, it was always Beau by Zane’s side.

This was a perfect chance to humiliate Sophia Lowell.

"So, Manager Morgan knows Professor Fumble?" Sophia raised an eyebrow mockingly.

Beau was about to reply when Vivian Hale jumped in: "Of course! Manager Morgan’s gown was designed by Professor Fumble herself—how could she not know her?"

Sophia ignored Vivian, and instead tilted her head at Beau: "Manager Morgan, do you know which one is Professor Fumble?"

Beau’s face froze; everyone was staring at her now, as if she really did know Professor Fumble.

If she said she didn’t know, she’d be the one humiliated.

After all, she’d told Vivian Hale she knew Professor Fumble—if Vivian helped her get into this banquet, Beau would ask Professor Fumble to design something for her in return.

Her little scheme was: just ask Zane, and Vivian’s request would be easily handled. No sweat off her back.

Everyone’s eyes were heavy on Beau, nearly suffocating her.

"Come on, Manager Morgan, speak up."

"Yeah, didn’t you say you knew Professor Fumble? Was that true or not?"

They whispered among themselves.

Sophia let out a cold snort.

Beau didn’t dare say a word—now she couldn’t risk it.

Because last night, both Sophia and Annie wore Professor Fumble’s designs, so they definitely knew her for real.

If she claimed to know Professor Fumble and the designer actually showed up, she really wouldn’t be able to fake her way through.

"Professor Fumble knows everyone here, of course." Sophia spoke deliberately, each word measured and poised.

Everyone’s expressions shifted, especially Beau’s.

Vivian Hale frowned and pressed Beau: "Didn’t you say you knew Professor Fumble? Are you lying just to use me—as a ticket into the social scene?!"

Beau swallowed and braced herself: "I really do know Professor Fumble..."

"Ha! With that attitude, no wonder Mr. Sterling isn’t interested in you!" Vivian Hale muttered, cutting her off.

Beau dug her fingernails into her palm, ready to just get it over with.

She said, "I really do know Professor Fumble; it’s just that she doesn’t want to be known by others. Hardly anyone in the industry knows her; she asked me to keep it secret. Professor Fumble prefers peace and quiet—she just doesn’t want extra trouble!"

The crowd was half-convinced, but then remembered seeing Beau’s posts—her getting measured at Professor Fumble’s studio—so they started doubting Sophia’s version.

Sophia frowned, watching the performance unfold.

She didn’t expose Beau—after all, the bigger this gets, the better.

The more Beau bragged about Professor Fumble’s designs, the better it served her own reputation once she wore the finished dress. Sophia’s fame as Professor Fumble would be just as big as Beau’s vanity.

This kind of publicity was worth more than paid advertising.

"Mrs. Sterling." The same woman called after Sophia.

Sophia lazily regarded her.

"Do you know Professor Fumble, too?" the woman asked.

Every gaze turned to Sophia.

"Of course. We’re very close." She said lightly, but her emphasis on "very close" was unmistakable.

Very close?

Beau started to panic.

Could Sophia really know Professor Fumble?

She’d better hurry up and actually meet Professor Fumble, or else she might be exposed and that would be a disaster.

People in this circle were experts at making mountains out of molehills—this could blow up big or small. Beau’s reputation would fully depend on Professor Fumble!

"Maybe she’s lying too?" Vivian Hale cast a look of disdain at Beau, then fixed her eyes on Sophia.

Vivian saw Beau’s discomfort, but with her ties to Zane, it was best not to get involved.

"If you say it’s a lie, then it’s a lie." Sophia replied, utterly indifferent.

"Aren’t you worried you’ll be exposed too?"

"Why should I be worried? Only liars fear being exposed." Sophia tossed out, lifting her skirt as she turned to leave.

The crowd whispered secretly behind her.

Only liars fear being exposed—

Beau was rattled, trying hard to keep her cool.