Chapter 195

Anna, with Shirley and Monica, raced toward Queenie at the conference entrance. "Ms. Leavey! The conference started! Why are you here?" Anna asked, her Dapreinish laced with confusion.

Queenie's face burned. Hayden hadn't waited, and she'd missed the launch. "Something…came up," she stammered, her Dapreinish accent shaky. She turned to leave.

Anna's brow furrowed. Shirley whispered to Monica, "She needs an invitation."

Queenie, hearing this, froze. She hailed a cab.

Anna grabbed her arm. "Ms. Leavey! Let me take you!"

"No," Queenie snapped.

Monica stepped in. "At least return Anna's dress!" she pointed at the garment.

Queenie's face darkened. "How much? I'll buy it!"

Shirley's voice sharpened. "It's not for sale! A limited edition—only five exist!"

Anna's anxiety escalated. "You don't have an invitation?"

Queenie's frustration boiled over. "Eklonna invited my husband and me! He went in with the invitation, but we argued."

Monica sneered. "Your husband? Are you hallucinating?"

Shirley chimed in, "Call him! Have him get you."

Queenie’s face flushed crimson. "We argued! But once we reconcile…" her voice trailed off, anger bubbling beneath her words.