Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 105

A delicate, crimson mark was brushed on her forehead—a touch as striking as it was enigmatic. She carried herself with a regal poise, the epitome of sophisticated, exotic beauty.

Everyone in the room fell silent, as if the sight of her had pressed pause on their hearts.

One collective thought flashed through every mind: *She's breathtaking.*

"Honestly, with a face like Mirabelle's—one the insurance companies would fight over—how could anyone even think to insult her?"

"Is that one of Designer Blake's creations? That dress is absolutely stunning!"

Lance had just started to turn away when he caught sight of Mirabelle. He froze in the aisle, the confident smile that had played on his lips vanishing in an instant.

No way!

"Mirabelle! You finally made it!"

The host abandoned Joanna mid-interview, rushing over with barely contained excitement.

He could sense it—Mirabelle was about to be the talk of the night.

Joanna's practiced smile nearly slipped off her face.

Lance knew she'd be wearing red tonight, and still he let Mirabelle have a dress that gorgeous?

Camera flashes erupted, each one hungrily trying to capture Mirabelle's entrance.

Joanna seethed with envy.

As Mirabelle walked into the interview area, Joanna forced herself to sound gracious. "Mirabelle, you look absolutely stunning tonight. Everyone's been waiting for you."

Mirabelle tossed her curls back with effortless elegance, her tone polite but cool. "Thank you for your concern, Miss Sinclair. I only just learned that Raleigh, who was scheduled to arrive before me, had to leave due to a delay in the red carpet arrivals clashing with his flight. When the staff told me, my dress wasn't even ready—the pleats hadn't been pressed. I had to rush over, and I'm sorry to have kept everyone waiting."

The words hung in the air. For a moment, the entire hall was utterly silent.

Joanna had monopolized the red carpet for nearly half an hour.

Security quickly escorted the angry fan out.

Meanwhile, Mirabelle caught Celestine's eye and gave her a rare, cool wink, a hint of a smile playing at her lips.

The photographers and the host noticed, immediately following her gaze.

There, the cameras found a woman in a champagne silk blouse and skirt, her understated makeup highlighting a gentle, fox-eyed beauty. Her style was nothing like Mirabelle's, but equally captivating.

Compared to Joanna—whose look was similar—Celestine's elegance eclipsed her completely.

*Is it just me, or is that woman in the audience even more beautiful than Mirabelle?*

*You're not wrong! Are they friends? It looks like they know each other…*

*Stop making things up! Joanna just didn't pick the right outfit to show off her best features. Wait till tonight—she's going to blow everyone away!*

*Who says Mirabelle was even looking at her? Designer Blake is sitting right behind her! That smile was clearly for the designer.*