Chapter 65: Gossip Pool Finished
William and Jennie arrived last, receiving a warm welcome. After brief greetings, everyone returned to their styling preparations. The director and producer pulled William and Jennie aside for a conversation.
Meanwhile, quiet gossip circulated about the stars' close relationship. Occasional knowing smiles fueled speculation about a budding romance. Some staff members, perhaps nostalgic for celebrity couple pairings, seemed amused by the sight of William and Jennie together.
The atmosphere shifted when the door to the nearby changing room burst open. Christopher's group, notably including Isabella, had been absent during the initial greetings. Isabella emerged, wearing a stunning deep blue mermaid dress that immediately captivated everyone. Her makeup was incomplete, but her statuesque figure—pale skin, sharp shoulders, and a slender waist—was breathtaking. She was a natural scene-stealer, her mere presence mesmerizing.
However, not everyone shared this admiration. Christopher looked anxious, William's brow furrowed, and Jennie appeared startled. Before Jennie could react, William, concerned, addressed Isabella: "Wasn't this outfit prepared for Jennie? Miss Jeannet, have you perhaps put on someone else's clothes by mistake?" The implication was heavy. Everyone's costumes had been delivered and sorted earlier, making the mix-up confusing. William recognized the dress—it was intended for Jennie's photoshoot. It couldn't have been an accident.
William's expression hardened. He believed no one, regardless of connections to influential entities like the Quirk Group, had the right to mistreat others, especially those he felt responsible for protecting. Jennie's past difficulties made him particularly sensitive to perceived threats against her.
William's accusation caused confusion among the staff, even puzzling his manager. This unexpected confrontation between the veteran actor and the rookie was unanticipated. Many recalled Isabella showing off the dress earlier, questioning whether it was her own purchase.
Hayden quickly intervened, attempting to clarify the misunderstanding: "Um, did you make a mistake, Mr. Sawyer? This is a dress our artist bought herself. Did it happen to be the same as one of Ms. Woods'? Haha, what a coincidence!" This broke Jennie from her stupor. Her surprise deepened upon recognizing Isabella, whom she'd encountered before. Confusion and embarrassment flickered across Jennie's face as memories resurfaced. Isabella, equally astonished, exclaimed, "It's you! You're Jennie!"
Tension filled the room. Whispers and speculation rippled through the crowd.
Jennie, observing Isabella's discomfort, felt confident. Isabella likely didn't know the full story of their previous encounter. With feigned innocence, Jennie addressed the room: "Sorry for the misunderstanding. I actually had my eyes on this dress and even showed it to William. I was about to buy it, but it seems Ms. Jeannet intervened. She had the seller cancel my order and reserved the dress for herself." Jennie's smile was strained, portraying herself as a victim.
As she spoke, the room's energy shifted. Jennie apologized to William: "I'm sorry, William, I didn't have time to tell you about this mix-up."
William realized his mistake. His gaze shifted to Isabella. Was she unaware of proper etiquette, or was she relying on her connections to avoid accountability?
He commented dryly, "When Jennie sent me the picture of the dress, I thought it was quite stylish. Ms. Jeannet, you certainly have good taste, choosing the same dress as Jennie. It's just unfortunate that there's only one."
Whispers and shocked realizations filled the room, though William remained seemingly oblivious. Jennie maintained her composure, though internally she felt turmoil. She calmly said, "It's all right. It seems she really appreciated this dress." A sarcastic aside, only audible to Christopher, followed. Christopher stifled laughter. The others felt a mix of amusement and embarrassment.
William conceded, with irony, "Actually, I should be the one apologizing. I assumed you had mistakenly taken Jennie's dress."
Seeing Isabella's continued distress, William offered a polite, strained smile: "Let's make sure to look out for each other going forward."
The bizarre turn of events left the onlookers unsure whether to intervene or simply observe.