Chapter Gossip 215
Chapter 215 Throw A Tantrum
Since there had been a commotion earlier, everyone present knew who the makeup artist was, so all eyes were immediately drawn to this side.
The group of friends who had just left had already gone out and gossiped, so word had gotten out that the makeup artist was the young lady whom Josiah was dating outside. However, at that moment, a sudden uproar occurred over a stolen necklace incident, with all fingers pointing at the makeup artist.
Everyone didn't look at Dakota with accusing eyes as if she was a thief. Instead, their gazes were filled with anticipation, as if they were watching an exciting drama unfold.
After all, everyone was eager for gossip. Mr. Josiah's girlfriend has stolen Caleb's wife's necklace! What an intriguing gossip.
As she watched her cousin, freshly dressed, charging directly toward Dakota, the suddenly appearing Audrey quickly warned, "Camila, don't be impulsive. It's not necessarily Ms. Meadows who took it."
That statement further solidified a certain suspicion.
At this point, Caleb's face was filled with impatience. What on earth is going on today? Am I cursed? Why are all these irritating issues cropping up? This is so infuriating.
"What's going on?"
Audrey descended the stairs with a look of injustice on her face, saying to Caleb, "It was a birthday gift from Josiah years ago. You know the value of that necklace... I simply showed it to Ms. Meadows for a moment, hoping she could help me choose a necklace that would match the gown. However, when I went back to help Camila change her clothes, I found the necklace was gone."
Caleb stepped forward, murmuring, "She's Josiah's girlfriend. How could she possibly steal anything?"
In Caleb's view, Josiah's girlfriend wouldn't do such a thing.
"However, she didn't seem to know earlier that Josiah was the second son of the Hampton family. She appeared to be in need of money recently. I wonder if she lost her way for a moment." Audrey added with difficulty, "It's all my fault. I should have held Camila back and settled this discreetly."
Caleb felt quite perplexed. It started when Audrey brought in a makeup artist who turned out to be Josiah's girlfriend. Caleb was left wondering if Audrey had known about their relationship beforehand. However, it wasn't the time to question anything, considering the situation had already blown up.
Upon hearing those words, Dakota froze, her face a mask of confusion and shock.
The people nearby who had just enjoyed a breakup gossip were also left in a state of surprise.
Initially, Josiah was staring blankly at the bracelet. Suddenly, upon hearing those words and seeing Camila charging forward with fierce momentum, he immediately stood up, grabbed Dakota, and reassured her, "It's okay. Don't be scared."
Snapping back to reality, Dakota merely glanced at Josiah before promptly pulling her wrist away. "I haven't done anything, so what do I have to fear?"
A pang of pain shot through Josiah's heart, causing his anxiety to escalate. It felt as though he was trying to grasp sand slipping through his fingers. Unable to contain himself, he blurted out, "I was wrong to deceive you by pretending to be poor in the past, but now is not the time for you to take out your anger on me. Let me handle this."
Dakota was almost amused to the point of laughter. Suddenly, she glanced at Josiah, her gaze filled with bewilderment.
"What's the matter?" Josiah felt a wave of discomfort under the scrutiny.
Dakota simply shook her head, a scornful smile tugging at her lips. I just bared my heart out, yet he dismissed my words as if they were nothing more than hot air, brushing them off as insignificant. He even thinks I'm just throwing a tantrum.
Have I been blind these past two years? What on earth did I see in him? Once Dakota stripped away the rose-tinted filter she had placed on him, she thought he was truly detestable.
Dakota had no interest in looking at him. As her gaze swept past, it locked with Isabella's. She noticed Isabella's eyes communicating urgency to her.
Regrettably, she couldn't hear Isabella's innermost feelings, so naturally, she had no way of responding.
Isabella was thinking, Dakota! You should really check the compartment in your bag! After showing off to you, Audrey sneakily hid the necklace in your bag when you turned around.
The members of the Quirk family were taken aback upon hearing this. They had been wondering how such a baseless slander could exist, only to realize that it was a trap that had been set up long ago. They were simply waiting to catch the thief red-handed. Alexander thought, No wonder Isabella made a move just now, looking as if she was about to rush out. I guess her first instinct was to snatch the bag and save the person.
However, under the watchful eyes of everyone, there was nothing she could do.
Even Alexander couldn't help but slightly furrow his brows at this situation.
What perplexed Alexander even more was why Audrey would choose to act this way. Isn't she afraid of losing control of the situation and risk exposing her own affairs?
Upon reflection, it was clear that Audrey truly had nothing to fear. After all, her relationship with Josiah back then was a secret relationship, never publicly acknowledged. The only ones who knew about it were their close circle of friends, none of whom would ever betray their own by pointing fingers. Josiah himself would never expose such a matter, either.
Even if Dakota spoke up, there was no evidence to back her claims. After all, that necklace was openly given as a birthday gift.
Audrey's intention for orchestrating this event was probably the same as Camila's objective just a while ago.
However, this would essentially ruin the wine tasting party that the Hampton family had meticulously prepared.
Ah! I can't believe what I'm seeing! Audrey is actually planning to sabotage the wine tasting party, all to completely cut off any possibility between Dakota and Josiah. This differs from petty actions like charging the makeup artist, which only annoys people. If she ruined this wine tasting party, even if Josiah, with his stubborn temperament, insisted on being with Dakota, he would definitely face absolute obstruction. This is a truly ruthless move. I can't help but question once again. If she's so bent on keeping them apart, why did she break up in the first place? Isabella wondered.
Alexander frowned, his eyes filled with distaste. He never knew how contradictory Audrey could be, willing to ruin everything that Caleb had worked so hard to prepare for her own selfish desires. Although I've known her for so many years, I still can't judge a book by its
cover.
Upon hearing that, the Quirk family was taken aback by Audrey's cunning scheme. Before, Noah and Lorelei had been boasting about having married off a virtuous, talented daughter-in-law who was not only good at household chores but also excelled in supporting her husband's career.
It seemed that in the past, there were rumors comparing the daughters-in-law of the two families, suggesting that Alexander had married a shrew.
Just a moment ago, Noah and Lorelei couldn't help but inquire. They asked why Isabella wanted to become an artist, their words subtly expressing their disapproval toward a lady from a prominent family choosing to work in the entertainment industry.
If the truth were to come out later, the Quirk family members would like to see which family exactly ended up with the wicked daughter-in-law. Isabella and Alexander need to step up their game! Expose the truth!
Before Isabella could even think of a solution, Camila had already rushed over. Without any preamble, she pointed at Dakota and accused, "Did you steal Audrey's necklace?"
"I didn't," Dakota stated firmly.
"But in that makeup room, aside from you, the outsider, it's only our own family who comes and goes. Given our status, no one would covet that necklace, so you're the only one under suspicion. Let me check your bag," Camila demanded, reaching to snatch the bag away. "Stop." Josiah immediately intervened, pushing Camila aside. "She's my girlfriend. Why would she need to steal a necklace?"
He has done something sensible. However, has he forgotten that he was just dumped? Is he planning to make up for it like this, hoping he won't be dumped in the end? Isabella wondered.
Naturally, as soon as Josiah spoke, their relationship was instantly revealed. Noah and Lorelei hurried over, inquiring about the situation.
Josiah was indeed protective of Dakota, causing Camila to seethe with jealousy until her eyes turned red. At that moment, Audrey walked over and patted her on the back. Although she didn't say anything, her silent support was palpable.
Isabella and Alexander observed closely. Sure enough, at some unknown point, the necklace that Audrey had been wearing around her neck, the one she once flaunted in front of Dakota, had been replaced.
Talk about bad luck. It probably happened just as we were planning to leave, which is why we didn't notice. Otherwise, we would've crushed this scheme long ago... Isabella thought to herself.
Caught off guard, Alexander hesitated for a moment, somewhat unsure, as he stealthily pulled out his phone.