Chapter 4 Pity You

A shiver of cold sweat crept down Dennis' back. Moments before, Brian had been warm and tender with Karlee, but now, he spoke about her with icy detachment.

Yet, Dennis thought Karlee had brought it upon herself.

Karlee hadn't waited for Brian on their first night as husband and wife; she slept alone. Brian had messaged her, promising to take her out for a candlelight dinner the next evening.

Considering the offer, Karlee realized she was actually busy tomorrow.

She had some scumbags to deal with!

***

By 8 P.M. the following evening, at Splendor Hotel.

The Warno Awards' ceremony was scheduled for the following day. Tonight, renowned fashion designers from across the globe had gathered at Splendor Hotel.

At the entrance, the organizers and their assistants meticulously checked the guest list. Kathryn, dazzling in a light blue evening gown, walked arm in arm with Jeremy and presented her invitation to the doorman.

"Oh, it's Mr. Cooper and Ms. Lloyd!" The staff quickly ushered them inside. "Mr. Cooper, congratulations on winning the Warno Gold Award. Your future holds great promise!"

Leaning affectionately on Jeremy, Kathryn smiled. "All credit goes to the discerning judges who recognized Jeremy's talent."

The staff merely smiled and excused themselves. Jeremy was holding a glass of champagne, standing beside Kathryn.

"Just wait. Now that I'm the Gold Award winner, everyone here will want to get close to me," he said.

Jeremy took a sip of his champagne, his expression turning stern as he noticed a server in the corner holding a tray. "What's she doing here?"

"Who?" Kathryn followed his gaze and immediately recognized Karlee. Even in her server's uniform and minimal makeup, Karlee was beautiful.

"Why is she here?" Annoyance crept into Kathryn's voice. "She's merely an assistant designer. What is she doing at this event? Jeremy, do you think she's here to cause trouble?"

Jeremy's expression darkened as he approached Karlee. "Karlee, are you really working as a server here? Have you become this poor without us?"

He confronted her loudly. "You should look at yourself in the mirror! Do you think someone as destitute and plain as you belongs here? Get out of here now!"

Karlee looked at the angry man before her, her heart turning cold.

"Don't blame Jeremy, Karlee. It's that scar on your face. He didn't touch you because of it. He felt pity for you since no one else wanted you," Kathryn added without a hint of guilt, clinging to Jeremy and openly mocking Karlee.

Karlee dismissed their taunts with a cold laugh. "Kathryn, if scavenging trash is what you prefer, by all means, go ahead. You and Jeremy are both shameless; you two truly belong together. May you thrive like cockroaches."

"Karlee, have you lost your mind? How dare you speak to Kathryn that way?" Jeremy's anger flared as he let go of Kathryn's arm. "Karlee, if you kneel right now and beg for forgiveness, I might just let you stay as an assistant at the studio. But don't expect any raise."

Stunned by his audacity, Karlee retorted, "Are you out of your mind, Jeremy? Should I expose how you really won that award?"

Just then, a murmur spread through the crowd. "The director of the Warno Award has arrived! The people following him must be the judges!"

Panicking, Jeremy seized Karlee's wrist. "Leave now! Don't let me see your face again!"

Despite the pain from Jeremy's tight grip turning her wrist red, Karlee couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction at Jeremy's desperation. She smirked. "What's the matter, Jeremy? Scared? Winning that Gold Award won't matter if everyone learns you stole my designs. Your reputation would crumble!"

Suddenly, Kathryn swatted the tray from Karlee's hands and screeched, "What is wrong with you? Spilling drinks on my dress and insulting us! Security, get her out of here!"

Her outburst captured everyone's attention. Jeremy, trying to regain his composure, mocked loudly, "I've seen plenty of women like you trying to rise above their station! You should be grateful I won't hold this against you. Leave now!"

"A server attempting to seduce a Warno Gold Award winner? The audacity!"

"Indeed, even though she's beautiful, she's shameless. A deceptive beauty with a tainted soul!"

The crowd's murmurs were mere background noise to Karlee. On the second-floor observation deck, Dennis leaned over to Brian. "Should we intervene, Mr. Olson?"

After all, that was Brian's new wife embroiled in the drama below.