CHAPTER 388: LET’S MAKE A VOTE

"What the hell is he doing here?"

Lola’s face twisted as she stopped on her way to the private entrance — the one without reporters or photographers. She had paused because she noticed a crowd gathering around someone, their camera flashes bright enough to light up the night.

When she looked closer, she realized she should’ve known. Because there, basking in attention as if he were some deity, was none other than Slater.

"I wish... I didn’t know him personally," she muttered, shaking her head like a big sister watching her younger sibling’s antics. "It would’ve been great watching him like this and not knowing a single thing about him."

Because she could never unsee how that man behaved at home — how much of a diva he could be, how dramatic he acted, and how utterly unbearable his late-night message logs were. She’d stopped replying for her own sanity.

Beside her were Izu and Baby, both nodding in agreement.

Slater’s public image might have been impressive, but they’d long forgotten the feeling of awe toward him. Once upon a time, they had been impressed — but now, after knowing the real Slater, it was impossible to remember why.

"Gosh," Lola muttered, shaking her head. "I’m just glad the event itself is private. No paparazzi inside."

Even if there were photographers inside, they were all hired by the event coordinators — and the photos would only be released with Aileen’s approval. So Lola was safe, no matter what kind of chaos Slater decided to cause tonight. She just hoped he wouldn’t cling to her like a koala again.

With that, Lola was about to resume her steps when Baby lightly caught her arm.

"Hmm?" She looked up at him, only to see Baby shifting his gaze toward something behind her.

Curious, Lola turned, but instead of seeing Slater still posing, she noticed the flashing cameras had shifted direction. Deep lines appeared between her brows as she narrowed her eyes, catching how the crowd had abandoned Slater entirely.

"Who?" she wondered aloud. "Who’s more famous than that guy?"

Even in heels, Lola rose on her toes, trying to get a better look. But from where she stood — on the side of the building and several meters away — she could barely see who had stolen the spotlight.

Baby, on the other hand, had no such trouble. He could see clearly from where they stood.

"Young Madam," he said calmly, "it’s your half-sister."

"What?" Lola’s head snapped toward him before she turned back and spotted Melissa’s figure emerging from the crowd. "Has she gone insane?"

How could Melissa show up at an event this big right after what happened at her engagement party? Lola had been certain Melissa would lock herself up for days. And if Melissa didn’t, Jasmine surely would — the woman was a veteran evil stepmother. Meaning she had the brains. Probably the only one in that family.

"Oh, god..." Lola trailed off as she spotted Slater giggling nearby. "I shouldn’t have told him about the gifts."

She had already stopped sending Melissa knock-offs — her mission had been completed. Replace every one of Melissa’s branded clothes with fakes, then sit back and wait for the inevitable meltdown once the truth came out. It was only a matter of time before Melissa found out when the family started selling things for money.

But it seemed Slater had decided to speed things up.

"Let’s make a vote." Lola turned to the two men beside her, who both raised their brows as she faced them squarely. "Should we take this door... or drag that guy away?"

The only response she got was Baby and Izu blinking at her in silence.

*****

Meanwhile...

"It’s Melissa! Melissa!"

"Melissa, how are you?!"

"Melissa, please look here!"

"Are you invited by MEG Fashion to attend tonight’s event?!"

The moment Slater gasped dramatically and turned his head, the reporters and fashion writers who had been interviewing him followed his gaze. The second they spotted Melissa, they abandoned him entirely.

Melissa, on the other hand, turned her head slightly, trying to ignore the cameras and the barrage of questions. She clicked her tongue quietly, sighing as she walked at a slow, controlled pace. She wanted to move faster, but the crowd pressing around her made it impossible.

"Melissa, is it true you were only marrying Derek Lancaster for the money? And that you were exposed during your engagement party?"

These weren’t even real reporters — just people from fashion magazines.

She wanted to roll her eyes or tell them to stop, but instead, she kept walking until she neared the entrance. As she moved, she picked up her phone, checking for a message from Renny — but there was nothing. Surrounded by flashing lights, she stopped briefly to breathe.

"Melissa, what can you say about the failed engagement party?"

This time, Melissa paused and clenched her teeth behind a forced smile. She turned toward the voices, but all she could see were camera flashes.

"Are you even invited here?" one asked. "I thought all the brands you collaborated with already cut you off?"

Her grip on her phone tightened. Her ears buzzed as their questions came rapid-fire — faster than the camera flashes.

"Yes," she finally said, huffing in irritation. "I am invited here. Why would I be here if I am not? So please, enough with the questions."

She didn’t want to linger and let these vultures circle her. Despite not getting a single message from Renny, she resumed walking toward the entrance. But still, the cameras and questions followed shamelessly.

"Melissa, what about the rumors regarding your engagement? Was it really called off?"

"Did you and Derek Lancaster break up?"

"Were any of the recent articles true?"

Melissa ignored them all, eyes fixed on the entrance. She’d deal with Renny later. But before she could take another step, someone from the side answered the question for her.

"Yes. The thing between Melissa and me... is over."

For a moment, silence fell. Everyone — including Melissa — turned toward the voice.

And there he was. Derek Lancaster, standing beside his cousin Justin and his aunt, Celestine.

Facing the crowd, Derek said again, firmly this time:

"The engagement was called off."