Tabitha's POV
Derek quickly came to my side and wrapped me in his arms. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just couldn't stand by while someone was being bullied. I just helped out a bit."
After explaining, I turned to Lisa. "I can provide evidence of purchasing the dress, including photos of it hanging in my wardrobe at home. Miss Booth, what evidence do you have?"
Seeing my earnestness, Lisa could only bluff, "My agent borrowed this dress for me. All the documentation is with her."
"Then call your agent over and ask her which atelier she borrowed it from to clear yourself."
"She has just left. How am I supposed to find her now?"
"So you have no evidence, and you're falsely accusing others and inflating prices. It wouldn't be too far off to call it extortion, would it?"
Lisa became nervous. "Extortion? Don't make wild accusations. Come on. You have a lot of influence, and I can't afford to cross you. I guess I'm just unlucky."
Lisa, of course, wouldn't dare to confront Derek directly and made an excuse to slink away.
She knew that if she caused more trouble and was caught wearing a fake, her career would be over.
I glanced at the cleaner beside me, who had his head down. "Be more cautious in the future and don't easily compromise when faced with such situations."
"Thank you, miss. You've done me a great favor," said the cleaner, limping away.
Watching his retreating figure, I sighed silently. There were too many people at the grassroots level like him. I can offer temporary help, but I can't provide lifelong support.
I pulled my gaze away, ready to leave with Derek, only to find his eyes still fixed on the retreating figure.
"Derek, isn't he quite pitiful?"
Derek had a complex expression and softly grunted in agreement.
"Let's go back."
"Okay." Not wanting to attract any more attention after the commotion, I took Derek's hand, and we left together.
As we passed by Rolf, Derek whispered an instruction before getting into the car.
"Alright, Alpha Derek." Rolf hurriedly left.
I turned to Derek, curious. "What's going on?"
"Nothing. Let's go." Derek patted my head and opened the car door for me.
As the car started, I yawned and leaned against Derek, watching the heavy snow glitter beautifully under the streetlights.
Third person's POV
On such a cold winter night, the outdoors was deserted.
Lisa complained on the phone, "Damn, I ran into some tough luck today. That poor sap was ready to pay up. What a waste of my dress. Money doesn't make them invincible, you know? I just posted something—share it anonymously so no one knows it's me. Also, drive the car around to the back door to pick me up. Don't let anyone see us."
After ending the call, she rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them in the frigid air.
Not far from her, under a streetlight, stood a figure. Bathed in dim light, he appeared quite tall, casting a long shadow.
Lisa instinctively felt tense. She had deliberately taken a shortcut where no one should be around.
Upon closer inspection, she realized the man was dressed in a cleaner's uniform.
"It is you."
Lisa wasn't afraid upon seeing the same cleaner from before. "What are you doing here?"
"Are you leaving without taking the money, Miss Booth?"
Lisa was overjoyed. She couldn't believe her luck.
"Looks like you do have a conscience after all. I won't ask for too much. Just give me 16 thousand dollars, and we'll call it even."
The man wore a duckbill cap, hiding his eyes beneath its brim.
"Alright, I'll give it to you." His voice sounded particularly eerie on a night like this.
As the man limped toward her, Lisa suddenly felt a chill. Her back prickled with goosebumps, and her intuition screamed at her to flee.
She was about to leave when the man swiftly grabbed her throat with one hand.
Lisa tried to struggle, but she found herself weak and powerless in his grasp. Her pupils dilated in terror as she stared at the man before her.