The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1455

“Emily, are you sure this dress is legit?” Pam’s tone was dead serious, her brows pulled tight. “Who is this Charlotte, anyway?”

If someone turned up in a fake gown on a red carpet full of celebrities, it would be a disaster—one people would whisper about for years, way worse than just wearing an off-the-rack dress.

“She’s my little princess.”

Emily barely looked up from the dress, her lips curving as she dialed her phone. She couldn’t wait to share the excitement.

“Charlotte, did you really send me this dress?”

“Yeah.” Charlotte’s voice came through, gentle and a little lazy, like she’d just woken from a nap. “Heard you needed something for your event. Jeva’s new couture collection felt just right for you.”

“Wait, how did you even know I was going to the gala?”

Emily carefully set the box down on the sofa, her fingers tracing the bright flowers sewn into the fabric. Her eyes sparkled with delight.

Charlotte gave a quiet laugh. “Kenneth’s been all over town trying to find you a dress. You really didn’t know?”

Emily froze, her heart thumping. “Charlotte, are you saying Kenneth was looking everywhere for a dress for me?”

“Mmm. Heard he even agreed to be a brand ambassador so he could buy back a gown someone else had already borrowed.”

A brand ambassador?

The thought made Emily’s chest tighten.

Kenneth always refused stuff like that. He never did endorsements. Why would he suddenly change now?

Emily hung up, feeling numb, the whole conversation whirling through her mind.

The National Drama Awards Gala was split into two parts: the red carpet and the awards ceremony.

Red carpet walk began at three p.m. and ran until seven. Everyone knew it as the night when stars tried to outshine each other, and dozens of media outlets had staked out their spots early for the best shots.

Backstage, in the dressing rooms, there was less than an hour till showtime. Many actresses were already in full styling mode with their glam teams.

Emily’s dress was complicated—layers, tricky fastenings, details everywhere—so she had shown up early to give herself plenty of time.

She’d barely settled into her seat when gossip floated over from a group of actresses nearby.

“Did you hear? Sabina got her hands on Jeva’s new spring couture gown for tonight.”

“Wait, is that the one covered in diamonds? The one that costs a fortune?”