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Chapter 109
The arrangements for the charity gala were all set. Clair had successfully secured five of Brianna’s pieces for auction at the event.
The initial drafts of the pieces were already done. Now, Brianna was fully committed to the creative process, giving it everything she had.
She was so absorbed that she barely ate or slept. Except for going home to rest, she spent all her time in the couture atelier, working nonstop to finish her pieces.
On that day, while Brianna was busy, Tristan called her.
“Hello?” Brianna answered, wearing an apron and peering through a magnifying glass at the details of a brooch.
“My engagement is tomorrow. Don’t forget to come,” Tristan said. His tone was stiff, not a hint of excitement in his voice.
“What?” Brianna’s voice jumped as she put down the magnifying glass. “I thought you said it was next month?” “It’s happening sooner!” Tristan sounded pissed, almost like he was about to lose it.
“Why so sudden?” Brianna sounded a little disappointed.
“Don’t ask,” Tristan said, totally fed up. “Just make sure you’re there tomorrow.”
Even now, he still hadn’t bothered to formally introduce Nancy to everyone.
He was obviously not thrilled about the whole relationship. It felt like he was being forced into it.
Brianna felt worried about Tristan.
“Hey, are you keeping something from me?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Tristan had been acting so strange lately. He was treating major life decisions like they were just another errand, barely giving them a second thought.
First, he had insisted Nancy wasn’t his girlfriend, and now he was suddenly getting engaged to her.
He’d already sent out the invitations, and now he said it’s happening sooner. No matter how Briana thought about it, something about this just wasn’t right.
There was a brief pause on the other end, then Tristan’s voice turned casual. “Don’t worry about it. Things will work themselves out. Trust me, I’ve got this.”
After hanging up, Brianna lost all motivation to keep working. She took off her apron, said goodbye to her mentor, and left the atelier.
“Tristan isn’t going to spill anything, that much is clear. Guess I’d have to ask Patsy what’s really up with all
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Tristan’s attitude always left Brianna feeling uneasy. She called Patsy, who was at her factory and wouldn’t be back in the city until the afternoon.
Brianna was driving, but her mind was all over the place. Right then, Brandon called.
“The Pratt family just said the engagement party’s been moved to tomorrow night. Are you getting the gift, or do you want me to take care of it?” Brandon asked.
Tristan was Brianna’s close friend, so it was only right for her to get something special for his engagement.
That’s what Brandon thought. He was really just calling to let her know he’d be showing up as well.
“You take care of it,” Brianna replied, her voice flat and lacking any enthusiasm. She’d already picked out the perfect gift for Tristan, but with this last–minute change, there was no way she could pull it off in time.
She let out a soft sigh, hoping the actual wedding wouldn’t turn into another whirlwind like this.
Brandon was caught off guard and asked again, just to be sure. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah!” Brianna shot back, sounding impatient.
After hanging up, she had nowhere else to be. With a sigh, she started the car and headed home. As luck would have it, just as she pulled up to the house, she ran into the Meyers family.
Whitney was there with Blanca and Reese, unloading stuff and piling it up right at her front door.
Brianna instinctively frowned and hit the horn. The sharp blast made all three of them jump.
When they saw her, they just stood there at the door, looking all smug and relaxed. ‘Clearly, they are about to stir up some drama again.‘ She thought.
She parked her car in the garage and headed straight for the front door. She didn’t even say hello, just demanded, “What are you three doing here?”
Blanca plastered a fake, self–satisfied grin on her face as she stepped right up to the front.
“Brought you some fruit,” she said, looking all proud and smug. “Unity Group’s bidding on some land in Valmere, the auction’s next week. If things go smoothly, we’ll be listed soon. Figured you should be in the loop about the big stuff happening at home.”
‘Figures, they’re just here to brag. Brianna snorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Well, congrats in advance, I guess.”
“Oh, and there’s one more thing I just have to tell you,” Blanca said, faking a look of regret. “I don’t know if your uncle’s business tanked again or what, but the Harper family ended up selling us all their shares.”
She acted all pitiful, but Brianna could practically hear the gloating in her voice.
“Honestly, since we’re all relatives and Unity Group’s about to hit the big time, I felt a bit bad about buying
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your uncle’s shares. So I had your dad check with Caroline to see if she needed a loan. Family should help each other, right? But she totally brushed us off, saying the Harper family would rather starve than take a single penny from the Meyers family. Seriously, isn’t she being ridiculous?”
‘Ugh, look at Blanca acting all smug. She really gets under my skin, Brianna thought, barely able to contain her anger.
She fixed her gaze on Whitney, her eyes cold and piercing. “Did you really go to the Harpers?”
Whitney let a smug smile creep onto his face, but he quickly put on an awkward, troubled look. “I only went over there because of you, just to see if they were having any trouble, but they totally brushed me off.”
Brianna sneered to herself, barely able to hide her contempt.
“Isn’t this ridiculous?” Blanca jumped in, pretending to be all concerned. “Brianna, you have to understand. We honestly wanted to help, but they just wouldn’t take it. If word gets out, people will think your dad turned his back on them right after your mom passed.”
Brianna’s hand tightened unconsciously, her nails digging into her palm, cheeks burning with anger.
She wanted to lash out, but held herself back. Soon enough, she’d see this family eat their words and cry.
Suppressing her fury, she gave Blanca a scornful look. “Don’t bother. If they ever need help, Brandon’s got them covered.”
Sure enough, just dropping Brandon’s name so confidently really hit a nerve with the Meyers family.
Blanca’s face instantly darkened.
Her eyes went wide as she shrilled, “Brandon? If he was ever going to help the Harpers, he would’ve done it already. Don’t think we didn’t notice how much they had to sell off a few years ago. Keep dreaming!”
Whitney frowned, giving Brianna a look full of annoyance. “Exactly, Brianna. If Brandon was really going to help, why would the Harper family need to sell their shares?”
Brianna scoffed, her gaze dripping with sarcasm. “My uncle just thinks you guys are gross and wants nothing to do with you anymore. Quit making it all about yourselves. Just because the Harpers are having a tough time, doesn’t mean you’re doing any better.”
Blanca was shaking with rage, about to snap back, but Reese cut her off. “You ungrateful wretch! Are you deliberately betraying us? You’re a Meyers, not a Harper! Always siding with the Harpers against your own family, raising you was a total waste!”
Brianna just rolled her eyes, not wasting any more breath on them. “If there’s nothing else, just keep your distance and don’t mess with me.”
Her words were a warning, not a request.
“Quit pretending, will you? Your dad bends over backwards for you, and you still strut around like you’re Mrs. Levy or something,” Reese shot her a scornful look, her words sharp and biting.
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“I’m not just pretending. I’m Mrs. Levy, the wife of Levy Group’s president!” Brianna stood right in front of Reese, her words crisp and full of icy confidence.
“So why are you still living here? Why not go back to the Levy family mansion? You got thrown out, and you still act like you matter?” Reese sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Even if I moved out, I’m still Brandon’s wife, a title you can only dream of,” Brianna fired back, her voice fierce and unyielding,
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