Chapter 5 Where Did That Junk Come From

Vincent fixed his eyes on Brenna and lowered his voice as he muttered to himself, "She's hiding more than she lets on."

No one would call her beautiful, yet there was nothing dull about her gaze. Her eyes were clear and steady, and there was a quiet force in them that didn't belong to someone ordinary. Anyone who paid attention could tell she wasn't simple.

Facing her phone screen, Brenna spoke in an easy tone. "We can talk about meeting once you're back. I reached out today because someone handed me a dress and insisted it's one of your original designs."

Brenna's attention shifted to the gown Noreen was holding before she continued, "Since your name's attached to it, I figured you should see it yourself."

Confusion crossed Hayley's face. "Brenna, you're practically the one who taught me everything. Since when did you take an interest in my designs? If you hadn't walked me through things all those years, I wouldn't be where I am now."

These words felt like a hard slap across Sarah's and the others' faces.

Shock hit Noreen the worst. Her thoughts scattered, and she couldn't pull them back together. She had emptied her savings and begged for favors just to get Hayley to design a dress for her. She thought that piece would open doors into high society, but she never even got close because those dresses weren't for sale. And now, she was hearing that Brenna had shaped Hayley's designs and even acted as her mentor.

Keeping her composure, Brenna answered, "That's exactly why I need you to confirm it. I won't let anyone label a cheap knockoff as your work and drag your name through the mud."

With that, Brenna angled the camera toward Noreen. "This is my sister. She insists the gown she's holding came straight from your boutique."

Panic rushed through Noreen so fast that she felt her chest tighten. She hastily tried to slip the dress behind her back.

But it was too late. The camera had already caught it.

With just one glance, Hayley knew it wasn't her creation. She didn't even bother asking for a closer look to confirm it. "Seriously, where did that junk come from? The stitching's crooked enough to run in every direction, and the design's completely off. I've seen my cat claw up fabric that looks more put together than this."

Harsh laughter slipped from her lips as she added, "Brenna, how come you end up with a sister who is full of lies? If anyone's stupid enough to say that rag is my design, I'll make sure they regret it!"

At those words, the strength drained from Noreen's face. Darkness crowded her vision, and she swayed as if the ground had tilted beneath her.

Curiosity spread across the room, and people leaned closer to study the fake gown clutched in Noreen's hands before shifting their attention to what Brenna was wearing.

Whispers started to rise as sharp eyes picked up the contrast.

"That fabric Noreen's holding looks cheap."

"Hold on, isn't Miss Fuller's black dress the commemorative piece made for last year's design champion? There's only one in the world!"

"No wonder it seemed unfamiliar. I've only ever seen photos of it in magazines, and it was never put on the market."

"That gown on Brenna has to be worth over a million!"

Shock rippled through the crowd like a stone tossed into still water. Embarrassment crept up on those who had assumed Brenna showed up in something off the rack, and their earlier judgment now stung.

With a casual lift of her hand, Brenna said, "That's enough for today. We'll grab dinner once you're back."

"Deal. Just don't forget you owe me a feast!" Hayley replied before ending the call.

After lowering the phone, Brenna faced Noreen again. "Weren't you so confident that you bought it from an authorized boutique? If that's the case, then you're accusing Hayley of selling knockoffs under her own name."

Disbelief drained the color from Noreen's face, and her knees almost gave way beneath her. She still couldn't process it. Brenna knew Hayley personally, and the dress she wore was the championship piece everyone talked about.

"I... I must've made a mistake." Tears blurred Noreen's sight as her voice shook. "A friend helped me buy it. I really thought it was real. I never imagined I'd be fooled like this."

Annoyance flashed across Sarah's face as she moved forward. "Noreen didn't do it on purpose. Brenna, you're her older sister. Do you really have to push her this hard over one minor mistake?"

At that time, Sam Walsh, Brenna's father, hurried over.

Panic was written all over Sam once he heard what happened, and sweat gathered along his brow. "There's clearly some confusion here," he said quickly. "Brenna, your mother's right. It's only a dress. Why turn this into something bigger than it needs to be?"

In his eyes, Brenna was still the hick who knew nothing about high society. She must've borrowed that championship gown from someone else. The idea that she had guided Hayley's career was so absurd to him that he dismissed it as soon as he heard it. What mattered to him was the Walsh family's reputation. There was no way he'd let the Walsh name get dragged down.

A faint, almost bitter smile curved across Brenna's lips. "So now I'm the one stirring trouble."

Memories surfaced in her mind. After the family reunion last month, Sam had handed her a jewelry company drowning in debt and called it compensation. She'd accepted it with gratitude and poured her effort into turning it around. However, he brushed aside everything she accomplished and praised Noreen instead, saying the latter brought luck to the business.

As Brenna was lost in thought, Vincent stepped forward and placed himself in front of her. Calm confidence marked his expression, though a chill settled in his eyes. "I believe problems should be handled properly. Miss Walsh, since you unintentionally purchased a counterfeit, you can make amends in another way. That gown is valued at around eight hundred thousand. Please transfer the amount to Brenna now as a gesture of sincerity."

His words caught Brenna off guard. She hadn't expected him to stand beside her, especially with her scarred face on display. Not only did he show no sign of calling off their engagement, but he even stepped in to help her seek fair compensation. For a brief second, she wondered if he had some unusual taste when it came to appearances.