The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 105

105 The Counterfeit and the Challenge

Hazel’s POV 2

Cora’s words echoed in my head. Cora Cadwell was a Sinclair: Sebastian’s sister. The revelation hit me like a bucket of ice water

My mind raced back through our interactions. How Cora had appeared at my boutique that first day claiming to have heard about my work. The way she’d referred me to her influential friends. Her casual generosity. Her impossibly perfect timing whenever I faced professional obstacles.

It hadn’t been coincidence. It had been Sebastian

All this time, he’d been orchestrating these connections from the shadows. Pulling strings I hadn’t even known existed. The realization made my head spin

“Hazel? Are you listening?” Cora’s voice snapped me back to reality.

I blinked, forcing myself to focus on the present chaos unfolding at the gala. My personal revelations would have to wait.

“I’m sorry, what were you saying?” I asked, composing myself.

Cora smiled knowingly. “I was just telling everyone how your designs are currently the most sought-after pieces in three countries. Which makes it rather interesting that

Yan Yue would wear a counterfeit to an event like this.

The crowd’s attention shifted back to Yan Yue, who stood rigid with humiliation. Her dress – the fake – suddenly looked even cheaper under the scrutiny of two dozen pairs

of eyes

“It’s not a counterfeit,” she insisted weakly. “My personal shopper assured me-

“Your personal shopper should be fired,” another woman cut in. I recognized her as the

wife of a prominent fashion magazine editor. “Anyone with eyes can see those machine

spitches. Valentina Rousseau never uses machine stitching on evening gowns,

Yan Yue’s face flushed crimson. The whispers around us grew louder more pointed. I actually felt a twinge of sympathy for her Public humiliation wasn’t something I’d wish

on anyone, even someone as rude as she had been

Look

sart, stepping for ward. “These things happen, Counterfeits are getting better vy if you’d like. I could offer you a discount on an authentic piece from my new

The moment the words left my mouth. I knew Ed made a mistake. Yan Yue’s eyes flashed with renewed anger

A discount? You think I need your charity?” she hissed. “As if I would ever wear one of your designs after this!

“That’s not what I

“Save it, she snapped. “You’ve embarrassed me enough. Just because you’ve somehow fooled Sebastian Sinclair into backing your pathetic little brand doesn’t make you

better than me

She turned to storm off, but in her haste, the hem of her dress caught on the elaborate beadwork of another guest’s gown. The sound of tearing fabric silenced the crowd

“My dress!” Yan Yue wailed, looking down at the six-inch tear running up the side of

her gown. “Look what you made me do!”

“Me?” gasped the other woman, tugging her own gown free. “You’re the one who

stormed off like a child!

“Ladies,” I intervened, stepping between them. “Let me help.”

Carefully, Luntangled the beadwork that had snagged Yan Yue’s dress. The counterfeit fabric had torn easily along the seam – another telltale sign of poor quality. The damage was substantial but manageable with the right skills

“Hold still” Linstructed, examining the tear more closely. “I can fix this temporarily

“Don’t touch L” Yan Yue snapped, jerking away. “You’ll only make it worse.

Cora’s laugh cut through the tension. “Yan Yue, do you realize who you’re talking to

Hazel cau fix that tear before you can finish your next glass of champagne

A circle had formed around us now What had been a private humiliation was quickly becoming a public spectacle Lvery eye in the east terrace was fixed on us, conversations hushed in anticipation of more drama.

In fact Cora continued her voice carrying across the terrace, T think we’d all love to

ser Hazel demonstrate her skills” She turned to the crowd. “Wouldn’t you agree? A Bitbcompromptu fashure emergency solved by the designer herself

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the audience. Several people nodded enthusiastically

I shot Cara a look. Was she seriously turning this into some sort of performance? But the gleam in her eve told me everything – this wasn’t random This was calculated This was an opportunity

“T’d need my emergency kit, I said, playing along

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