She knew full well that Teresa couldn’t afford the bill.


    Pretending to be the president’s sister was one thing, but this was a whole different level of bluff.


    “It’s my treat,” Teresa finally dered.


    Madisyn was so shocked she nearly choked on her tea.


    Teresa had actually agreed!


    Teresa forced herself to unclench her teeth, masking her anxiety with a haughty expression and a hint of disdain in her eyes.


    “It’s just a bit of money,” she said coolly.


    “I’ll cover the bill.


    Enjoy yourselves.


    ”


    The room erupted in apuse and cheers.


    “Wow, Teresa, you’re amazing!”


    “Thank you, Teresa!”


    Liza, eager to impress, chimed in with over-the-top praise.


    “Teresa isn’t just beautiful; she’s incredibly generous too.


    We’re so lucky to have her in our department.


    ”


    Teresa waved off thepliments casually.


    “Enough with the ttery.


    Just order already,” she said, as if she was unbothered by the whole situation.


    But Madisyn noticed the subtle detail that the others missed-


    Teresa’s fingers were gripping the hem of her suit tightly, a silent indicator of the stress she was under.


    The room buzzed with excitement again, everyone piling on thepliments.


    Teresa, despite the pressure, seemed to be soaking up it all.


    Just then, Madisyn’s phone buzzed with a message from Andrew.


    “Aren’t we supposed to have dinner together this evening?”


    Madisyn quickly replied, “I wish we could, but I have to attend ast-minute dinner.


    I’m working at Edge Entertainment now, and they’ve called for a gathering.


    ”


    “Do you need me to pick you up afterward?” Andrew asked.


    “That would be great,” Madisyn responded.


    “I’ll let you know when it’s wrapping up.


    ”


    After sending the message, she put her phone away and smiled to herself.


    As dinner was winding down, Liza suddenly pointed out.


    “Teresa, where’s your ne?”


    Teresa instinctively touched her neck, startled.


    “What? Maybe I left it in the restroom.


    ”


    “Don’t worry, Teresa, I’ll check for you,” one of the colleagues offered, hurrying off to the restroom.


    Momentster, she returned, her expression puzzled.


    “It’s mot there, Teresa.


    Are you sure you didn’t leave it somewhere else?”


    Teresa felt a flicker of confusion.


    She went to the restroom herself to double-check, but the ne was nowhere to be found.


    But she shrugged it off.


    “It’s fine.novelbin


    No big deal.


    ”


    It wasn’t a genuine item anyway-just a well-crafted replica.


    But Liza wasn’t about to let it go that easily.


    “Teresa, I know that ne.


    It’s a limited edition, practically one-of-a-kind.


    How could you let it go when you lost something so valuable?”