Chapter 180

"Still acting tough? Refusing to admit defeat until you hit rock bottom, huh?" Phoebe sneered. "Don't forget our little bet—if your so-called 'perfect date' doesn't show up or fails to impress, you'll have to get on the floor and squeal like a pig!" Irene's face turned ashen.

She regretted her impulsiveness and bitterly cursed herself for agreeing to such an absurd and humiliating wager. If Dustin didn't come, she would be forced to crawl on the ground and oink in front of everyone. That would be utterly disgraceful; her reputation would be ruined forever.

"He will come!" Irene said firmly.

"Alright then. Let's wait until 7:30 p.m. Get ready to become a sow," Phoebe said disdainfully, smirking.

Time ticked away at an agonizing pace. Irene's heart raced, and anxiety gnawed at her insides. Still, she maintained a facade of composure, refusing to let her unease show. Phoebe and her friends, however, continued their relentless stream of taunts, eagerly awaiting her humiliation. Phoebe had even brought a camera to capture every moment and share it for everyone's amusement.

As more people heard about the bet, a crowd gathered, making Irene feel even more frantic and mortified. She wished she could disappear. Some wanted to help, but no one dared offend Phoebe, who came from an influential family.

Finally, the clock struck 7:30 p.m.

"Irene, get down!" Phoebe barked triumphantly, laughing.

Irene froze, biting her lip in desperation.

"What's the matter? Too shy to do it? You two, help her!" Phoebe gestured to two of her lackeys and turned on the camera.

Two people strode toward Irene with menacing faces, reaching out to grab her. Irene's face drained of color; she stumbled backward, her eyes welling up with tears.

Just as they were about to seize her, she shut her eyes in terror.

Bam! Bam!

Two dull thuds echoed, followed by gasps from the crowd. A warm, strong hand wrapped around Irene, pulling her into a protective embrace. "Who do you think you are? You dare lay a hand on her?" a cold, commanding voice said.

Irene's eyes flew open, and she saw a familiar face: Dustin!

The two lackeys were sprawled on the floor six or seven meters away, groaning in pain.

"D-Dustin" Irene whispered, her voice trembling.

He had arrived just in time to save her; her heart skipped a beat and pounded uncontrollably. Everyone's eyes were on Dustin. He was strikingly handsome, but his demeanor was worlds apart from the pampered heirs of wealthy families. His cool and detached presence made him stand out, a stark contrast that caught the attention of many socialites, who gazed at him with intrigue.

"Irene, and this is your so-called 'perfect date'?" Phoebe sneered, glaring at Dustin with disdain. Like Irene, but perhaps even more so, his simple attire stood out against the lavish surroundings, making him seem like a commoner who had wandered into a gathering of elites.

"Really? Is this the best you could do? Did you just grab some random guy off the street?" Phoebe mocked. "Is your taste this bad? At the very least, you could've dressed him up a little. Don't tell me you're so broke you couldn't even afford a cheap suit for him!" A few people chuckled.

Everyone knew Irene came from the West family, whose glory days were long gone. Among the crowd of wealth and power, she was an outsider, looked down upon and mocked.

Irene clenched her fists, her face clouding with shame. Dustin glanced at Phoebe, his lips curling into a faint, icy smirk

Chapter 181