ensemble.


    The banquet hall was all decked out in its festive glory. Red carpet, red balloons, and red agate ents set the scene, with red wine sses, bottles, and even red evening gowns amplifying the vibe. But there was Nathalie, standing out boldly in her ck and white "Who shows up dressed like that at an event like this? It''s embarrassing," a nosy woman quickly chimed in.


    Cameron, with a smirk, remarked to Nathalie, "Why would youe wearing that? It''s not my reputation on the line. It''s yours."


    Nathalie, unfazed, shot back, "Cameron, I''ll show you that dignity isn''t about the clothes you wear. It''s about the grace you carry within."


    Leaving Cameron behind, Nathalie made her way toward the meddlesome woman. She remembered the nosy woman well-a notorious gossip who had belittled her countless times in a past life. Nathalie was set on reiming her honor this time around. Facing the woman head-on, Nathalie asked, "What exactly is embarrassing about me?"


    The woman, caught off guard by Nathalie''s boldness, pointed at her outfit. "Showing up in a T-shirt and jeans, and cheap ones at that. Don''t you think that''s humiliating?"


    Nathalie nced at the woman''s gown and jewelry. "I bought my clothes with my own money. They''refortable, so how is that embarrassing?"


    "And let''s look at you. Isn''t that designer gown rented? Is that ne a fake? For someone so vain, isn''t the real embarrassment pretending to be something you''re not?"


    The woman''s face flushed with a mix of spluttering red and green. "You... you... you''re just envious because you can''t afford a designer gown..."


    Nathalie coolly raised her hand, showing off a limited-edition sapphire ring. "Know anything about jewelry? This ring alone could buy ten of your dresses."


    The woman''s face turned crimson with shame.


    As Nathalie walked away, she tossed a final remark over her shoulder. "Don''t judge a book by its cover."


    The onlookers, who had initially sided with the gossip, now distanced themselves from her, wary of being associated.


    Cameron, observing Nathalie''s satisfied smirk,mented, "You were pretty harsh."


    Nathalie replied, "I don''t forget easily. She asked for it."


    Cameron''s expression darkened slightly, realizing their story was far from over. But he was sharp and knew when to steer clear of a showdown.


    He smoothly changed the subject. "Nathalie, join me. I''m meeting some clients."


    Nathalie agreed, "Alright," though her enthusiasm was clearlycking.


    Cameron led her to a group of young, sessful entrepreneurs exchanging pleasantries before saying, "Nathalie, these guys are big shots in fashion. Care to join them for a drink?"


    Nathalie hesitated, but the gentlemen politely offered her a


    ss. She reluctantly ept


    raising her ss... only for it to be swiftly emptied.


    Turning, she saw Nathan with a brooding look.


    Nathalie didn''t want to cause a scene, and simply grabbed another ss from the bar.


    Nathan, however, downed it quickly, remarking, "Not bad." He then grabbed Nathalie''s ss again and drained it.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Nathalie red at him, trying to silently convey her disapproval, but as she reached for yet another ss, Nathan''s hand was there first.