Chapter 3 The Broken Vase
Just then, a strong arm shot out, catching her by the back. However, the arm slammed into the shelf from the inertia.
Bang.
The shelf trembled but didn’t topple, yet the Meissen vase on it slid off and shattered into countless shards.
The entire banquet hall went dead silent, only the melodic music echoing awkwardly.
All eyes fell on the broken Meissen vase. No one had expected such an accident.
Rosalie tilted her head to look at the man.
His alluring eyes were icy, thin lips pressed into a slight pout, exuding a haughty chill. It was impossible to ignore the oppressive energy surrounding him.
Their eyes met. The next second, Rosalie looked away quickly, murmuring a faint “thank you.”
The man’s thin lips curved slightly, a glint flashing in his cold eyes.
Tianna jolted, guiltily gazing at the shards on the floor.
She thought to herself, ‘This vase… It’s just a regular decoration, right? Expensive stuff wouldn’t be left out here casually…
But Phoebe shattered her hopes the next second, crying, “That’s my father’s favorite Meissen vase. It costs about 400 thousand dollars. What are we going to do now?” Her voice trembled with anxiety.
Tianna’s heart raced. A 400-thousand-dollar Meissen vase… She couldn’t afford to pay for it.
Out of the corner of her eye, she shot a glance at Rosalie.
Before she could process the situation, she blurted out subconsciously, “Rosalie, you broke Dominik’s favorite Meissen vase!”
The lie that twisted right and wrong made Rosalie raise an eyebrow, her gaze snapping to Tianna.
Her eyes held a chill calmness far beyond her age, striking fear into Tianna’s heart. But the fragments on the floor…
Tianna thought, ‘I’m not taking the fall for this. Rosalie must take the blame. Maybe Dominik will send this bitch back to the countryside over this.’
Then Tianna puffed out her chest. “You broke Dominik’s antique vase and you’re still glaring at me? How dare you? You have to pay for it.”
Initially, only the immediate onlookers had noticed Tianna’s dispute with the Spencer family’s new adopted daughter. But after the vase shattered, the majority of guests had surged over to gawk.
Convinced by Tianna’s confident tone, they assumed the rural-raised girl was guilty and started casting blame.
As for those who’d witnessed the incident, none bothered to defend an adopted girl of a mysterious background. They were just eager for the drama.
“Pay for it!”
Having successfully shifted the blame, Tianna raised her eyebrows at Rosalie in triumph.
But a low, cold voice cut through the air, laced with chill, “The Spencer family’s furniture hit my arm. Shouldn’t you be compensating me?”
Everyone spun around to see the man who’d just steadied Rosalie. He was leaning lazily against the decorative shelf, eyeing Tianna with a faint smirk.
Tianna, who’d been preening in triumph, felt her mood soured instantly. She thought, ‘Seriously? What’s wrong with him, daring to run a scam here?’
She whirled to glare at him, snapping, “Who the hell are you? Think you’re a prince? Trying to blackmail me? You must be insane.”
The man raised an eyebrow. “Prince? Maybe not. But my arm is worth a damn sight more than that vase.”
Phoebe’s gaze also flickered to the man.
He was breathtakingly handsome, radiating an otherworldly aura. Every gesture exuded nobility and composure. From his features to his bearing, it was clear he was no ordinary man.
She glanced at Tianna, hesitated, then bit her lip, choosing to hold her tongue for now.
Tianna squinted, sizing him up, thinking, ‘Handsome face, but clearly a damn fool.’
Her eyes flicked between the man and Rosalie, and a knowing sneer crossed her face. She didn’t bother hiding the scorn in her voice.
