Chapter 107

“How the hell could you possibly afford a TuBaci custom piece?” Joanne’s voice rose, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Anastasia raised an eyebrow casually. “Can’t afford it? But I’m literally wearing it right now, aren’t I?”

Joanne couldn’t accept it. If this dress were on any other Manhattan socialite, she wouldn’t bat an eye. But this dress cost seven figures! Where would Anastasia get that kind of money? She used to be so ordinary, and now she looked like a freaking swan. The comparison made Joanne feel like absolute trash.

Anastasia could read Joanne’s thoughts perfectly but couldn’t be bothered to explain. If Joanne knew she had a whole closet full of TuBaci pieces at home, she’d probably have a stroke. Cassian had commissioned an entire wardrobe of TuBaci designs for her.

Anastasia started walking toward her colleagues—every word with Joanne felt like a waste of energy. Seeing Anastasia’s dismissive attitude, Joanne felt even more bitter. Anastasia used to be so accommodating, so eager to please. What the hell happened to her? After leaving her brother, wasn’t Anastasia supposed to be struggling? Instead, she looked like goddamn royalty—graceful and ethereal, like some kind of fairy princess. It was infuriating.

Watching Anastasia’s elegant figure, Joanne was consumed with jealousy. Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance—probably some A-list celebrity arriving. Everyone turned toward the door as Sonia made her grand entrance.

This was exactly the effect Sonia had been going for. She’d deliberately waited until everyone else arrived so she could steal the spotlight the moment she walked in. Sonia surveyed the room smugly. This really was a fashion gala—everyone was dressed to the nines, trying to outshine each other. Compliments immediately started flowing around her. “Miss Vinci looks absolutely stunning!” “That dress is gorgeous on her!”

“Well yeah, she’s a professional dancer and a celebrity—of course she’s got incredible style and body.”

“Right? And that dress looks like TuBaci—those are impossible to get!”

“Wait…” someone in the crowd murmured quietly, though loud enough to catch attention. “I think I saw someone else wearing the exact same TuBaci dress…”

“Oh my God, look—Miss Vinci and that other woman are wearing identical outfits!”

All eyes immediately darted between the two women. This was about to get juicy. In high society, especially at such an important event, wearing the same outfit as someone else was absolutely mortifying! Being caught in a fashion duplicate was social suicide. Even worse than matching was the inevitable comparison of who looked better in it.

Sonia had been basking in the admiration and attention when she heard the comment. Her brow furrowed as she quickly scanned the crowd. Her gaze soon landed on Anastasia standing nearby, looking completely unbothered. The TuBaci gown shimmered under the lights, making Anastasia look even more elegant and refined—like a lotus flower blooming serenely, pure and otherworldly. Sonia’s expression turned ice-cold. Fucking hell! They really were wearing the same dress!