Chapter 10 The Troublemaker

The food was not hot, yet Cassidy's pristine white gown bore conspicuous stains of vibrant red sauce, commanding immediate attention.

Caught off guard, the waitress hurriedly extended her apologies.

Before Cassidy could utter a word, an unpleasant voice invaded her senses from behind.

"Well, well, if it isn't Miss Wright from the Apex Group? Don't fret, young lady. It's merely a dress. Miss Wright is affluent and has a wealthy benefactor. She wouldn't bother to complicate matters for you."

Cassidy's brows knitted together as she turned around to find a plump woman adorned in a low-cut dress that audaciously showcased a significant portion of her bosom.

"Pardon me, ma'am, but I witnessed you intentionally shoving the waitress, causing the dish to spill onto Miss Wright. How can you be such a hypocrite?" Emely, seated across from Cassidy, had observed the entire incident with utmost clarity, compelling her to retort.

"What absurdity are you spouting?" The woman sneered, her eyes sweeping disdainfully over Cassidy. "Are you insinuating that I would bully a woman who relies on a man for her desires? I'm sorry but I refuse to stoop to her level!"

"You..." Emely seethed with anger, rendered momentarily speechless. She rolled up her sleeves, prepared to engage in a physical confrontation with the woman.

However, Cassidy intervened, gently restraining Emely's hand. She calmly regarded the woman and uttered, "Miss, setting aside your involvement in the waitress's mistake, slander is unlawful. If my memory serves me right, I don't believe we've ever crossed paths before, have we?"

"Slander?" The woman's lips curled into a sneer. In a sudden and malicious act, she seized a steaming cup of tea from the table and poured its scalding contents onto Cassidy.

Caught off guard, Cassidy had no opportunity to evade the scorching liquid.

Her once pristine white silk dress, now drenched, transformed into a translucent veil, revealing a faint glimpse of her lace lingerie.

"Not only do I dare to defame you but I also dare to take action!" With those words, the woman's expression swelled with self-satisfaction, as if she had accomplished something remarkable.

Fury coursed through Cassidy's clenched fists; she was unable to bear the weight of the insult any longer. Just as she was about to lose her composure, a clear and melodious female voice intervened. "Joyce, what's the matter?"

Cassidy turned her gaze toward the source of the voice, witnessing Maggie and Franklyn enter the restaurant, arm in arm.

Maggie appeared genuinely curious, while Franklyn exuded an air of cold detachment. His eyes flickered momentarily when he saw Cassidy but swiftly returned to their customary indifference.

Cassidy had not anticipated encountering Franklyn and Maggie in this place. Subconsciously, her brows furrowed.

At the sight of Maggie, Joyce Thompson's countenance bloomed into a sycophantic smile.

"Maggie, Mr. Pierce, good evening."

She swiftly offered an insincere explanation, accompanied by an audacious falsehood. "It's nothing serious. I coincidentally encountered Miss Wright from Mr. Pierce's company. The waitress accidentally stained Miss Wright's dress. Enraged, Miss Wright was on the verge of striking her. I am here to extend an apology on behalf of this unfortunate waitress."

"Is that so?" Maggie cast a dubious glance in Cassidy's direction, as if harboring doubts about Cassidy's alleged character.

In an attempt to bolster her fabrications, Joyce extracted a bundle of cash from her bag and extended it toward Cassidy. "Miss Wright, please accept this. Spare this young lady from any further trouble. The amount should suffice to purchase a replacement dress."

Cassidy's comprehension dawned upon her as to why this unfamiliar troublemaker had targeted her. It became evident that Joyce was an acquaintance of Maggie's.

Ah, only a woman of inferior stature would resort to such a transparent ploy. Cassidy cast a sidelong glance at Franklyn, only to find him gazing adoringly at the crown of Maggie's head.