Chapter 5 Someone Dares To Impersonate Kueen

Benny recognized the voice right away. No wonder this woman before him looked so familiar-Kristine had lost weight, and now he realized just how striking she was.

He scowled, suspicion flaring. "How did you even get an invitation? This is a huge day for Mr. Payne and his family. There's press everywhere. If you're here to cause drama, pick another time. Kristine, don't start one of your scenes. This isn't the place."

Benny shook off his shock and quickly assumed the worst, his brows pulling together as he scolded Kristine. He was certain she had only shown up to make a scene for him and Emilee.

Emilee wasted no time stepping into the spotlight. She pressed a proud kiss to Benny's cheek before turning to Kristine, her words dripping with condescension. "Miss Holt, Benny is my husband now. If you want advice, here it is-quit chasing after men or trying to cash in on breakups. If you want to succeed, work for it. Any woman worth her salt stands on her own feet."

Before Kristine could reply, Gerard Payne, the banquet's host, hurried over to diffuse the tension.

"My apologies, everyone. There's been a misunderstanding on our part. Please, come inside and make yourselves comfortable," Gerard announced from across the hall, eager to shift attention away from the drama and avoid any unwanted headlines.

But his whole demeanor changed as soon as he spotted the gold invitation in Kristine's hand, the prominent letter "K" unmistakable. A flash of recognition lit up his face, and a genuine smile replaced his earlier worry.

"Kueen! I can't believe you actually came," Gerard said, sounding both thrilled and apologetic. "I hope there wasn't any trouble here. Did the security give you a hard time?"

He went straight to Kristine, extending a warm welcome, and then turned to the security with a stern look.

"How could you miss her? This is Kueen, the artist behind 'Soul of Spring'-her jewelry and fashion line shattered records at auction!"

Whispers of disbelief rippled through the crowd. "That's Kueen? She's so young! I always pictured her as older-maybe in her sixties. How does someone so young create such incredible designs?"

"She's absolutely gorgeous! Kueen, could I get your autograph?"

"When is the 'Soul of Earth' collection coming out? Is there any way to get on the waitlist? I'll pay double if I have to!"

Most had only heard of Kueen by reputation, so seeing Kristine step forward in person created an instant buzz. Guests pressed closer, each eager for a chance to speak with her or just catch her attention.

The scene quickly turned from elegant to electric, like a flash sale with all the usual restraint forgotten.

For a moment, Kristine felt a wave of surprise at the overwhelming excitement. Still, when she glanced over and caught both Emilee's and Benny's stunned faces, a quiet sense of satisfaction settled in.

Her reply was gracious. "Tonight is all about the Payne family. I'd hate to draw the focus from them. Soon, though, I'll be hosting my own soiree. I hope you'll all come."

Upon watching Kristine charm the crowd, Emilee's envy only grew sharper. She couldn't accept this twist-she had always seen herself as the youngest design prodigy in the room, never someone who'd be upstaged by Kristine, of all people. Kristine, who had supposedly cared only for romance, couldn't possibly be Kueen.

Emilee's patience snapped, and she raised her voice, letting her skepticism show. "Just showing up with an invitation doesn't prove a thing. Everybody knows Kueen is older-maybe in her fifties. Kristine must have stolen someone else's spot. Mr. Payne, have you even met her before? Don't let an imposter fool you and ruin your reputation."

Benny could not help but agree.

Five years with Kristine should have meant he knew her inside and out. If she really was Kueen, there was no way it would have escaped him.

The more he considered it, the quicker his admiration for Kristine's makeover faded to nothing.

He frowned, shaking his head. "Kristine, this has gone far enough. There's no point in us continuing this. If Kueen finds out you're pretending to be her, she's not going to just let it slide," said Benny, voice sharp with disapproval.

With Benny and Emilee so sure of themselves, Gerard's excitement started to die down.

He knew Kueen tended to avoid public events, and all he really had was a necklace she'd designed, which he only secured through a friend.

Sending her an invitation felt like a long shot-he never actually believed she would show up.

On top of that, Kristine looked nothing like the age that was rumored about Kueen. Was it possible... that she really was an imposter?

"I know exactly who I am, and I'm sure Mr. Payne does too. Isn't he able to confirm that for everyone?" Kristine retorted with a cold smile, her eyes on Gerard.

But Gerard faltered instead of stepping up for her.

"Forgive me, Kueen. There's some doubt in the room. Would you be able to prove who you are? We haven't met in person before, and I don't mean to challenge you, but..." said Gerard, uncertainty weighing down his words. That hesitation spoke volumes. He was just as doubtful as the others.

Kristine's expression turned stormy, her lips pressed into a thin line.

She could not believe the nerve-Gerard was the one who had sent the invitation in the first place.

Emilee crossed her arms and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "So Mr. Payne hasn't met Kueen before, but Dominick Collins has. He's Kueen's close friend and a giant in the design world. He's coming today, Kristine. You'll have your answer soon enough," she said, not bothering to hide her smugness.

Before Emilee could even finish, a dignified man with white hair stepped through the crowd.

Spotting him, Emilee hurried over, her face alight with excitement. "Mr. Collins, thank goodness you're here! There's someone pretending to be Kueen, and you're the only one who can clear this up!"