Chapter 6 The Ruined Dress
Aurora felt a surge of anger welling up inside her.
She braced herself with both hands to stand, but her injured leg made her wobble unsteadily.
Gritting her teeth, she glared at Barnett with venom. “Mr. Elvador, what gives you the right to say that? She ran into me, and yet you’re blaming me for that. Is this just a habit of yours now? Accusing me without any proof?”
“You…”
“There are so many people here watching. Do you dare to ask them what happened? Was I the one being unreasonable, or are you the one throwing baseless accusations?”
Barnett quickly looked around and caught the meaningful glances from the high–society guests. They might judge Aurora for her past, but their manners wouldn’t let them twist the truth.
One guest broke the silence, speaking up for fairness, “Mr. Elvador, Ms. Bertha Elvador indeed ran into her. We all saw it.”
With someone leading, others began to nod in agreement.
Barnett’s face turned icy. He was sure Aurora had crashed Bertha’s party just to embarrass the Elvador family in front of Orley’s elite.
Chapter 6 The Ruined Dress
He thought he knew Aurora well–petty, vindictive, and manipulative. If she framed Bertha five years ago, she’d bully her now.
Barnett frowned and said, “Even if Bertha bumped into you, wasn’t on purpose. Couldn’t you just step aside? You did that deliberately.”
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Aurora felt her blood boil at his words, her vision blurring with
rage.
How absurd! He said that!
Everyone could see she was limping, barely able to walk, let alone dodge.
Then it hit her.
She remembered when she was released from prison Barnett had assumed her limp was faked.
He saw Bertha being knocked down but ignored Aurora had
fallen too.
Since they always blamed her, Aurora decided she was no longer kind to them.
Bowing her head, she showed her arm to everyone.
Her elbow was a bloody mess, shocking red. Her palm was scraped and bleeding, blood dripping to the floor.
Chapter 6 The Ruined Dress Aurora raised her arm high so everyone could see.
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“Do you think I’d hurt myself just to get scolded by Mr. Elvador? Am I that pathetic?” Her voice cracked, eyes red with emotion.
Barnett stared at her injuries, his face burning with shame, unable to meet her gaze.
Celeste let out a gasp, releasing Bertha as she rushed toward Aurora, her hands fluttering uncertainly. She hesitated to touch her, afraid of causing more pain.
“Aurora, you’re hurt! Does it hurt? Let me blow on it,” she said, her concern seemingly genuine.
With tears streaming down her face, Bertha said, “Aurora, I’m so sorry. I rushed over because my custom dress from Barnett was ruined, and I panicked. I didn’t mean to bump into you. Please, don’t be mad at Barnett anymore, okay? He only misunderstood because he was worried about me. I’ll apologize to him.”
Her tearful, timid look was both delicate and heartbreaking.
Even though she was apologizing, it made Aurora seem like the bad one.
During those three years Aurora spent with the Elvador family, Bertha always played her victim card well whenever she bullied her.
Chapter 6 The Ruined Dress
Five years had passed, and she hadn’t changed at all.
“So you mean Barnell’s concern for you gives him the right to
slander me?”
Aurora’s voice was icy, her stare piercing.
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“No, that’s not what I meant,” Bertha stammered, backing into. Celeste’s arms, clearly scared of Aurora. Her tears fell harder. “Aurora, how could you misunderstand me like this?”
Celeste hugged Bertha protectively, letting out a helpless sigh. “Aurora, you’re wrong about Bertha. She’s always been thoughtful and well–behaved, nothing like what you’re accusing her of. It’s her birthday today. Just apologize, wish her a happy birthday, and let’s put this behind us.”
Aurora raised her eyebrows. “This isn’t the first time something. like this has happened. Do you not know whether I’m wrong about her? Do you need me to remind you of what happened five years ago…”
“Enough.” Celeste’s face turned pale, her voice heavy with guilt. “Don’t bring it up again.”
Aurora let out a bitter laugh, her tone dripping with mockery.
Her mother was still the same as five years ago, choosing Bertha over her without hesitation.
Celeste couldn’t stand to see Bertha hurt but was fine with putting her daughter through endless pain and humiliation.
Chapter 6 The Ruined Dress Aurora felt her heart grow cold.
Forcing herself to endure the pain, she straightened her back and limped toward the door.
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She barely made it two steps before a strong hand grabbed her arm tightly.
“Explain,” Barnett demanded.
Aurora turned, impatient. “Explain what?”
Barnett wanted to snap at her, but when his eyes met her hateful gaze, his chest tightened. He forced himself to remain calm, his tone steady. “Bertha’s dress… What happened to it?”
Bertha’s custom dress, with its layers of shimmering feathers, sparkled beautifully under the light. But at the hem, a chunk of feathers was missing, as if they’d been ripped off.
Aurora clenched her fists, trembling with anger.
“So, Mr. Elvador, you believe I deliberately ruined your sister’s
dress?”
“You were the only one in my car, the only person who had access to the dress,” Barnett replied.
Bertha’s tears flowed freely as she choked out, “Aurora, why would you do this?”
Chapter 6 The Ruined Dress
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Celeste, unwilling to scold Aurora but unable to stand Bertha’s distress, sighed and said softly, “Aurora, I understand you’re upset, and that’s why you acted out. Let’s leave it at that, but don’t do it again…”
Aurora’s cold laugh cut her off. Fixing Celeste with an unyielding stare, she said sharply, “Mr. Elvador’s car has a dashcam. The footage will show whether or not I touched Ms. Bertha Elvador’s dress.
“To clear my name, I demand that you take out your phone and show the dashcam footage right now.”
Her boldness made Bertha panic.
“Aurora, no need to check the footage,” Bertha said quickly.
Celeste chimed in, “Aurora, don’t make a scene. The guests are watching.”
Finally, Joshua, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. “Let’s end this here. Aurora, go tend to your wounds.”
Aurora had anticipated their attempts to brush things under the
rug.
Her body trembled with fury. She violently shook off Barnett’s hand. “If you won’t check the footage, does that mean I have to carry the blame for ruining Bertha’s dress?
“I’m willing to face the evidence. Why aren’t you? What are you afraid of?”
