Chapter 20

A week later, Thea entered the venue, dressed in a stunning black, backless, mermaid-style gown that hugged her figure perfectly. She held her invitation.

The hall was dazzling, illuminated by beautiful crystal chandeliers that cast a cool, shimmering light. Nicolas had business to attend to and asked Thea to wait for him.

The auction hadn't begun, so Thea found a quiet corner and settled in with a glass of wine. She was about to take a sip when she overheard a nearby conversation that piqued her interest.

"We've always known Jake was talented," one man remarked. "He's accomplished so much at Hendrix Group at such a young age. Look at him—he's truly a standout."

"Who's that woman with him?" his companion asked. "His rumored fiancée?"

"That's his assistant from Avon Ventures," the first man replied. "She's a smart one. They've handled big projects together. Unlike his fiancée, who just sits at home, causing drama and stirring up trouble."

"Exactly," the second man chimed in. "I heard his fiancée is so petty that she nearly destroyed the assistant's reputation out of jealousy."

The first man scoffed. "A woman like that—jealous and manipulative—won't get far in life. No matter how good-looking she is, I wouldn't want her."

A loud crash interrupted their conversation as a wine glass shattered. Both men turned in surprise.

Thea smiled sweetly. "Oops! I got so caught up in your conversation. By the way, is Jake here tonight with his assistant? I'd love to meet her. I'm a big fan of strong women."

Her soft tone and bright eyes, combined with her captivating looks, charmed the men. They were unaware they had just insulted her. Eager to please, they readily told her where Jake and Madelyn were.

Thea thanked them with a graceful smile, but her expression hardened as soon as she turned away. She grabbed a bottle of red wine from a passing waiter. She was determined to see how brazen Jake and Madelyn were in taking credit for her work.

The private room where Jake and Madelyn were located was a VIP suite, second only to the presidential suite. Even before entering, Thea could see the bustling activity through the door. The room was packed with people eager to curry favor.

Jake and Madelyn stood at the center, basking in the attention, their faces glowing with pride. Madelyn wore a sleek business suit, her light makeup accentuating her delicate yet determined look. She certainly looked the part. They exchanged affectionate glances, appearing like the perfect couple.

Thea took a deep breath. The tightness in her chest wasn't heartbreak; it was pure anger. Jake had never brought her to such events, claiming it would be humiliating and invite rumors. Therefore, Thea had used her Beresian name on important contracts, always signing after Jake. She never imagined her gesture would allow them to claim credit for her work.

Just then, a man with graying hair approached Madelyn. "Hello, you must be Chloe, right?" he said. "We've only communicated via email. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've completed the design for the bracelet you mentioned, and my assistant will send it to Avon Ventures soon. I look forward to more collaborations." Madelyn smiled sweetly. "Thank you. Just write 'Madelyn' as the recipient's name."

Thea's eye twitched. This man was a renowned jewelry designer from Sarlimar. Avon Ventures had a raw gemstone line, and Thea had secured this collaboration. In college, she had dreamed of meeting him.

Without hesitation, Thea called out, "Miss Terell, don't you feel even a little ashamed taking credit for someone else's work?" Her voice, though not loud, was sharp and forceful enough to draw everyone's attention. Jake was caught off guard, his shock quickly replaced by a dark expression. Madelyn's expression went through a dramatic shift: panic, guilt, then malice.

Jake spoke first, his voice laced with irritation. "Thea, why are you here causing trouble again?"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd as people recognized Thea. Words like "jealous," "vicious," and "just a pretty face" floated around the room.

Madelyn regained her composure. "Miss Rowland, I asked Mr. Hendrix to bring me. Many previous Avon Ventures collaborators are here, and he thought it would be easier to communicate if I came along. There was no other intention. If you're upset, blame me, but please don't cause a scene. It wouldn't reflect well on Avon Ventures."

Her self-effacing attitude portrayed Thea as the troublemaker.

But Thea stood tall, showing no sign of embarrassment. She met Madelyn's gaze and smiled coldly. "I didn't say I was here to cause trouble. I am Chloe, and I want to know why you two think it's okay to impersonate me, claim credit for my work, and accept gifts meant for me."

"Stop talking nonsense," Jake cut in harshly. His tone softened. "Thea, enough. This isn't helping."

The designer, sensing something amiss, turned to Madelyn. "Miss Terell, what's going on?"

Ignoring Jake, Thea pressed on. "Madelyn, since you claim to be Chloe, tell the designer the annual output of Avon Ventures' raw gemstone plant at Haliden Mountain. Last time I spoke with him about production line issues, he suggested solutions—I adopted two. What were they? And what about Mr. Spencer's contract concerns last month?"

With each question, Madelyn's face grew paler. She stammered, tears brimming. Her pitiful expression elicited sympathy.

Jake couldn't bear it. He grabbed Thea's arm and pulled her from the room. "Thea, is humiliating Madelyn what you wanted? Happy now?"

He was breathing hard, his eyes red with anger. Thea had crossed an unforgivable line, it seemed.

Thea shook off his grip, her expression unchanged. "Happy? How could I be happy? Now you're panicking? Why didn't you expect this day when you handed over my hard-earned achievements to Madelyn? We're not even related. I have no reason to stay silent and pretend I'm okay with you stealing my work and getting all the praise."

Without flinching, Thea swung the wine bottle, her voice calm but firm. "If you don't want me to smash this over your head, step aside."