CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17: OUTSHINING THE CROWD

Emperor’s Grand Six-Star Hotel.

Bella Sterling entered the lobby, intending to take the elevator upstairs, but at that moment, she was approached by a familiar face, Zoe.

"Bella Sterling, you’re here? Take a good look, this is the Emperor’s Grand Six-Star Hotel. If it weren’t for Vanessa’s birthday today inviting you, a bumpkin like you would never set foot in such a high-class place in your lifetime!" Zoe boasted arrogantly.

Bella pressed the elevator button and pretended to sigh, "Whose mutt is this, not even leashed up, freely released to bite people."

Zoe’s expression changed, "You!"

Zoe quickly noticed the white lace gown Bella was wearing. Shocked, she exclaimed, "Bella Sterling, where did your dress come from? This is from the global luxury brand MOO, the summer collection showcased at Milan Fashion Week. I just saw it in a fashion magazine a couple of days ago. How did you get it?"

Zoe is a true fan of MOO, and not just her; every socialite daughter in Bayside spends heavy money through all sorts of channels to get their hands on each season’s new releases. Whoever manages to secure an item will flaunt it extensively.

Unfortunately, MOO’s standards are exceedingly high, and the prices steep. It follows a high-end luxury route with limited editions, so few manage to acquire MOO items.

Zoe hadn’t even managed to buy a single dress.

Now seeing the summer runway design from MOO on Bella, a bumpkin, she was truly shocked.

Of course, Bella knew it was MOO. She pondered if she told Zoe that not only did she have one, but a whole box of them at home, would Zoe faint from anger on the spot?

But MOO was something Hayden prepared for her, it wasn’t her own, not suitable for using to attack others.

Seeing the shock and envy nearly burst from Zoe’s eyes, Bella walked into the elevator and smiled lightly, "Want to know? Well, I’m not telling you."

Zoe was too overwhelmed, she really hated the Bella in front of her, especially seeing Bella’s youthful, slender form, jealousy burned in her eyes, "Bella Sterling, it must be a knockoff."

As she spoke, Zoe also stepped into the elevator and reached out, tugging hard at Bella’s dress.

Along with the sound of tearing fabric, a rip appeared on Bella’s gown.

Bella’s bright, clear eyes turned cold, "Zoe, what are you doing?"

Zoe laughed fearlessly, "Bella Sterling, what are you talking about? I didn’t understand a thing. I didn’t do anything. If you’re saying I tore your dress, do you have any witnesses?"

Bella stepped forward, grabbed the dress on Zoe’s body, and gave it a pull.

Rrrrip.

Zoe’s dress was torn as well.

"Bella Sterling, you!" Zoe was furious and embarrassed, she didn’t expect Bella to not only be sharp-tongued but bold enough to take action and fight back.

Bella sneered; she always believed that sometimes taking action was very necessary, "Have you ever tried reasoning with a mad dog? NO, when bitten by a mad dog, I should pick up a stick and hit back hard!"

Zoe almost went mad with anger, she was being utterly crushed by this bumpkin she looked down upon.

At that moment, the elevator arrived, the door opened, and Lillian Sterling quickly approached, "Serena, how did your dress get ripped? How can you attend the birthday party with a ruined dress? Quickly go upstairs to change, there are several backup dresses prepared, choose whichever looks nice."

...

Serena went upstairs, and indeed, there were several beautiful dresses hanging in the room.

At this moment, a maid said, "Miss Sterling, this dress is the most beautiful, you should choose this one."

Serena glanced at the dress in the maid’s hands, it was a pink jeweled princess dress, also from MOO, clearly the kind worn by little princesses at birthday parties.

Serena’s bright eyes flashed with a hint of amusement, casually picking up another dress, "I don’t really like that one, I’ll wear this one instead."

The maid was anxious, "Miss Sterling, this dress is much nicer than the other one, you should wear this one."

Serena looked at the maid, "It’s just a dress, why are you so anxious?"

Being looked at like that by Serena, the maid inexplicably felt a bit guilty. She always felt Miss Serena’s eyes were too clean, pure and undisturbed, as if she had seen through everything.

The maid awkwardly smiled, "No, I just wish for Miss Sterling to look pretty for the party and have everyone praise you."

Serena nodded, "Oh, since you put it like that, how could I let down your good intentions? I’ll wear this dress, go wait outside while I change."

...

At the birthday party, Gregory Sterling had indeed spent heavily to create a grand scene, inviting Bayside’s socialite daughters, executives, and wealthy wives. The scene was filled with low chuckles and constant joy.

Today’s little princess, Vanessa, was surrounded by a group of socialites. Seeing Lillian Sterling come down, Vanessa quickly ran over to grab Lillian’s arm, and whispered, "How did it go, Mom? Did Serena put on that princess dress?"

Lillian smiled warmly and nodded, "She did."

"Great, we’ve suffered so much from Serena, today we must ruin her. It’s just a pity about the MOO princess dress, I haven’t even worn a MOO dress myself."

Lillian tapped Vanessa’s head, "Without giving an inch, you can’t trap a wolf; once we taint Serena’s reputation, I’ll figure out a way to get you a MOO dress."

Vanessa was delighted, clinging to Lillian to act spoiled, "Mom, you’re the best!"

"Alright, get ready. Serena will be coming down soon, and the show’s about to start!"

...

Vanessa returned to her friends, who asked, "Vanessa, we heard you got a MOO princess dress to wear for your birthday, when are you going to change into it, show us so we can be envious."

"Yes Vanessa, the MOO princess dress must be beautiful."

Vanessa laughed, "Don’t worry, I’m going to change now."

At this point, Zoe grabbed Vanessa’s hand, "Vanessa, look, Serena is coming down."

Indeed Serena had come down, wearing that MOO princess gown. The pink long dress highlighted her delicate and rosy complexion, the fitted design grasping her tiny waist, exuding pure and ethereal charm, a true 20-year-old little princess.

The previously lively lobby, at some point, fell silent, every gaze suddenly landing on Serena.

A flash of amazement sparkled in everyone’s eyes.

Vanessa clenched her fist, although Serena wearing the MOO princess dress was part of her plan, seeing Serena’s stunning presence made her so jealous she wished Serena would disappear on the spot.

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