Liza abruptly let go of Gavin’s arm, her expression turning icy. “Don’t concern yourself. If I offend the Reed Family, I’ll take full responsibility. I’ll sever all ties with you to ensure the Stone Family isn’t implicated, nor will I damage the relationship between the Stone and Reed families.” Gavin’s jaw tightened as his Adam’s apple bobbed in frustration. This woman always managed to provoke him, leaving him torn between anger and helplessness. In the center of the banquet hall, the Reed Family prominently displayed the gown Time Flows, ensuring it caught the eye of every guest. The elegant garment was the centerpiece of admiration and envy. Liza’s gaze lingered on it before a sly smile crept onto her lips. “Gavin,” she remarked casually, “you should know one thing—designers despise knockoffs more than anything else. It’s an insult to their creativity, trampling on their hard work.”As she spoke, Madam Reedapproached gracefully, accompanied by a group of sophisticated noblewomen. Her expression radiated warmth and sincerity, though the air of manipulation was unmistakable. “Gavin, Liza you’re here,” Madam Reed greeted them warmly, exuding the demeanor of a caring elder. She acted as though no discord had ever arisen between them, displaying a masterful facade of poise and propriety. But her true intentions became clear when she subtly wedged herself between Liza and Gavin, deliberately separating the two. With a gentle smile, Madam Reedturned to Liza. “Liza, I heard about the little misunderstanding earlier. Sophia was thoughtless and caused you some trouble. I must apologize on her behalf.” Her words were perfectly crafted, but her actions told another story. Grasping Liza’s arm lightly, she turned to the noblewomen around her and introduced her with practiced elegance. “This is Liza, someone I deeply admire. I made sure to extend a personal invitation to her for today’s event. Liza, didn’t you mention wanting to see Time Flows? Let me take you over.”Liza’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of suspicion flickering within them. The overly solicitous behavior of Madam Reed was far from innocent. Someone this eager to please always has an ulterior motive, she mused. Deciding to play along, she offered a light chuckle and nodded. “Of course, Madam Reed. I’d love to see it.” Madam Reed led Liza to the center of the hall, where Time Flows was displayed. A small crowd had already gathered around the gown, admiring its intricate craftsmanship. A genuine piece by the renowned designer Ruby Co was rare and highly coveted. To own Time Flows was a symbol of wealth and unparalleled status. Guests whispered in awe, their voices filled with admiration. “Miss Sophia, I heard this gown was purchased by a mysterious buyer for 800 million yuan. It must be someone from the Reed Family!” “Look at the design—exquisite and so detailed! Time Flows is truly a masterpiece, a one-of-a-kind creation.”In the center of the gathering, Sophia basked in the attention and praise. Her chest swelled with pride, her vanity fully indulged. She couldn’t help but think she had outsmarted everyone. Even if the gown wasn’t authentic, it still brought immense prestige to the Reed Family. A replica could achieve such grandeur—how clever she was! As Madam Reed and Liza approached, Sophia adjusted her demeanor, adopting an elegant smile as she moved forward to greet them. “Miss Liza, I must apologize for what happened earlier. You’re not upset with me, are you?” Her tone dripped with sweetness, carefully crafted to appear sincere. Liza couldn’t help but notice the striking similarity between the two women. Madam Reed’s words seemed to mirror her daughter’s as if they shared the same script. Madam Reed lightly tapped Sophia’s forehead, her expression feigning mild disapproval. “Honestly, you’re too much sometimes. Liza is a fan of Master Ruby Co’s work, and you know her well. What harm would it have done to let her in? Normally, you’re sharp, but today you decided to stick rigidly to the rules.”Sophia quickly adopted a coquettish tone, leaning into her mother’s act. “Oh, Mom, don’t scold me. I got overly anxious. Thankfully, Liza isn’t mad at me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know what to do.” With just a few lines, the mother and daughter skillfully deflected blame, presenting the earlier incident as nothing more than a misunderstanding caused by nervousness. They painted the picture of an innocent mistake, carefully erasing any trace of Sophia’s deliberate behavior. Their finesse was undeniable. Madam Reed sighed dramatically, shaking her head as if burdened by her daughter’s antics. “Liza, this is entirely my fault. Had I known you were arriving, I would have come out to welcome you personally.” Liza’s lips curled into a faint smile. If the situation hadn’t been so serious, she might have applauded the two for their remarkable acting skills. But this wasn’t the time or place. Instead, she matched their charade with her own composed reply. “It’s alright,” Liza said, chuckling lightly. “I can see that Miss Sophia holds Time Flows in very high regard. This banquet must mean a lot to her.” Sophia’s eyes flickered at the remark, but she maintained her pleasant facade, reaching out to take Liza’s wrist. “Of course! Time Flows is one of Master Ruby Co’s most celebrated creations. I heard you’re quite fond of it too. Come, let me show you up close.” As Sophia guided her toward the gown’s display, the surrounding crowd parted, making way for them. Liza, already intrigued, welcomed the opportunity to inspect the so-called masterpiece more closely. She had been eager to examine the high-quality imitation of Time Flows ever since stepping into the hall. At first glance, the replica was impressive—it was an admirable attempt at recreating Ruby Co’s iconic design. However, the closer she looked, the more glaring the flaws became. The fabric lacked the refinement of the original, the embroidery patterns were off, and the pearls were inferior in quality. Even the neckline’s angle deviated from the intended design. Though skillfully made, it was unmistakably a counterfeit.Liza’s thoughts turned cold. How could the Reed Family boldly showcase such a flawed replica? Did they truly believe this was an accurate representation of my work? The audacity! The more she analyzed the imitation, the more she felt insulted. It was as though they were mocking her craft and the integrity of her design.