When Love Is Shrouded in Fog

The word "counterfeit" struck Claudia like a blow to the head. A flash of panic passed through her eyes before she replaced it with an incredulous expression.

"Ms. Lambert, I personally bid on this jewelry. How could it possibly be a counterfeit?" she exclaimed.

Lily's expression also turned somewhat displeased at Alyssa's words.

At that moment, someone in the crowd remarked mockingly, "What would an orphan like her know? She's probably just making it up!"

Those words prompted others around to chime in.

"Exactly! Ms. Reed would never give anything fake."

"It's laughable that someone who knows nothing about jewelry dares to judge authenticity so casually."

As the ridicule grew louder, Claudia calmed down. She looked at Alyssa with contempt in her eyes.

Justin happened to finish his conversation and walked over just in time to hear this exchange. He nodded apologetically to the group.

"My apologies, everyone. Alyssa doesn't understand these things," he said.

Then, he turned to look at Alyssa. His tone sounded slightly reproachful as he said, "Alyssa, don't speak carelessly at such important events."

Alyssa didn't back down, instead looking straight into his eyes. "What I said is true."

Her mother had long since acquired the legitimate necklace, so this one was undoubtedly a counterfeit.

Claudia tugged at Justin's sleeve, saying in an aggrieved tone, "Did Ms. Lambert slander me on purpose to make Mrs. Fuller misunderstand me? All this because she dislikes me?"

Justin's eyes widened slightly with anger when he heard this. "Claudia has nothing against you. There's no need for you to act this way toward her. She just came to congratulate my mother on her birthday."

Upon hearing him immediately pin the blame on her, Alyssa stared at Justin fixedly.

She suddenly recalled a time during their startup days, when a business partner deliberately gave her a hard time. Even though it was an important partnership for Justin, he had unhesitatingly chosen to believe and defend her.

Now, the woman he truly loved had returned, so of course, his protective instincts were redirected at Claudia.

In the end, Alyssa said nothing. She simply turned and left the suffocating banquet hall. She went to the rooftop terrace to get some air, but a familiar voice came from behind her.

"Alyssa, you've seen it for yourself these past few days, haven't you? So what if you've faithfully stayed by Justin's side for three years? The person he truly loves is still me!"

Claudia shed her pretense. Her tone was mocking, which was a stark contrast to the wounded look she'd worn earlier.

Alyssa glanced up at her. Not wanting to argue with Claudia, she responded casually, "Congratulations, then, Ms. Reed."

Claudia's expression stiffened momentarily, for she hadn't expected such a calm reaction. In the next moment, she stepped forward and grabbed Alyssa's wrist with a somewhat agitated expression.

"If you know Justin loves me, why are you still staying by his side? You should have left him the moment I returned!

"You're just a poor, pathetic orphan. Why don't you look in the mirror and see if you're even good enough for Justin?"

Her sharp nails dug into Alyssa's wrist.

Alyssa instinctively tried to pull away. But Claudia held on tightly, refusing to let go.

In the midst of their struggle, Claudia's foot suddenly slipped, and terror filled her face as her entire body tipped backward.

Alyssa's pupils contracted, and she immediately reached out to try and grab her. But it was already too late.

She could only watch helplessly as Claudia tumbled down the stairs.

The loud noise attracted the attention of everyone in the banquet hall downstairs.

Justin's expression shifted when he saw Claudia lying on the floor, moaning in pain. He immediately rushed over and scooped her into his arms.

"Don't worry, Claudia! I'll call a doctor right now," he said, his voice trembling slightly with fear.

"Justin." Claudia weakly touched his cheek, "Ms. Lambert… She… didn't mean it…"

That blatant attempt at misdirection instantly shifted all the blame onto Alyssa.

Justin immediately looked up at Alyssa, his gaze piercingly cold. "Alyssa, why did you push Claudia down the stairs? Was slandering her earlier not enough?"

Alyssa subconsciously dug her nails into her palms. Even though she knew deep down that he wouldn't believe her, she still tried to explain herself.

"I didn't. She slipped and fell on her own."

Justin's expression grew even colder, and his tone hardened. "Fine. Since you won't admit it, then you can also experience Claudia's pain for yourself."

With that, he signaled to the nearby bodyguards.

Alyssa instantly felt her heart leap into her throat, and she backed away, step by step.

"If you don't believe me, you can check the surveillance footage. I told you—it wasn't me," she insisted.

But Justin didn't show the slightest sign of letting up. Instead, he gestured to the bodyguards.

The bodyguards, having received the order, approached and pinned Alyssa against the stairwell. She struggled desperately, but she was no match for the strength of grown men.

The next moment, a powerful force came from behind her.

Instantly, Alyssa's world spun, and it felt as if her entire body had been run over by a truck. Warm liquid trickled down her forehead.

She lay on the ground and struggled to open her eyes, only to see Justin's back as he carried Claudia away.

A tear slid from the corner of her eye, and in the next moment, she was swallowed by darkness.