Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding novel Chapter 267

"Honestly, this woman is wearing a blue dress too. Even if you can't change your outfit, the least you could do is take off the brooch."

This social circle harbored an inherent, vicious hostility toward any woman who lacked a formal title.

Naturally, they banded together to "help out" one of their own.

Raelynn almost wanted to laugh. Did these self-righteous socialites realize they were aggressively defending... a mistress?

If it were anyone else, being publicly shamed and cornered by so many people would have been mortifying. Most would have fled in tears.

But not Raelynn.

She calmly took her seat and countered, "If you all claim it's a couple's set, why isn't Ms. Vance wearing one?"

Seraphina's lips pressed into a tight, thin line.

She glared darkly at Raelynn, raw irritation flooding her chest.

"Her dress is already perfectly color-coordinated. Besides, Ms. Vance didn't wear hers because the brooch's design doesn't match the neckline of her gown. Mr. Croix specifically wore the sapphire to complement her dress. That's more than enough. It's their own private romance."

Raelynn knew full well that when people wanted to find fault with her, they would twist any logic to make it fit.

She shifted her gaze to Sebastian, who hadn't engaged in the women's squabble at all.

His posture remained unchanged.

He didn't seem the least bit bothered that they were the center of the gossip.

And while Raelynn was being attacked, condemned, and ordered to yield by taking off her brooch, he showed absolutely no reaction. It was as if he agreed with them.

But the truth was...

Her brooch had absolutely nothing to do with him.

It was a gift from Ian Hudson, a genuine present brought back from his travels. She wasn't about to let a bunch of strangers fabricate a scandalous story and trample all over it.

"If Mr. Croix is so displeased, he's more than welcome to throw his away to save his precious Ms. Vance's face," Raelynn said. Her tone was completely steady, but the words were a veiled blade.

A delayed, stinging strike.

Only then did Sebastian finally turn his gaze toward her.

Before he could respond, Seraphina casually reached out and lightly brushed her fingers against the sapphire on Sebastian's lapel. With a soft, magnanimous smile, she said, "There's no need. It's just a minor detail, no reason to blow things out of proportion. I quite like this style on Sebastian. We specifically picked it out because it suits him so well."

A chorus of admiration rippled through the onlookers: "Ms. Vance is so graceful."

She had fully expected Raelynn to be so humiliated by the public dressing-down that she would run away in tears. That would have given Seraphina the perfect opening to go find Louis Flynn and smooth things over.

But Raelynn wasn't budging an inch...

Just as the tension hit its peak, the sharp *thack* of a cane striking the floor echoed from behind them.

Everyone turned.

Louis Flynn was storming toward their table. His face was thunderous.

He had approached just in time to catch the tail end of their vicious gossip.

To think that the woman Evelyn called a "dirty little secret" had the absolute gall to publicly bully a sweet young girl in his own venue?

He marched over, radiating sheer hostility.

Seraphina's stomach plummeted. Considering she had been caught trying to steal the credit earlier, she figured it was time to play the victim. She planned to apologize, claim she just remembered the details wrong, and trust that Louis would let it slide out of respect for Sebastian.

She stood up, the picture of sweet innocence. "Mr. Flynn."

Louis locked eyes with her, his voice devoid of any warmth. "This table is for esteemed guests. My temple is too small for you. I must ask you to leave."