Chapter 481

Dominic shot a pleading glance at Audrey, silently begging for her support.

His eyes flickered to the outstretched hand but made no move to accept it. Instead, he turned to Audrey with a playful smirk. "Oh?"

"You used to play basketball with the guys all the time?"

Vivian interjected smoothly. "That's not quite accurate. Audrey was actually quite shy back then. When teams were picked, the girls always chose their own circles. Since Audrey didn't belong to any group, she often ended up playing with the boys."

Only after her explanation did Dominic finally extend his hand for a brief, perfunctory shake.

Beads of sweat formed on the man's forehead as he realized how much weight Dominic gave to Audrey's words. The Sinclair family dominated Crestwood's elite circles, with deep ties to the Blackwood dynasty. Despite Dominic's notorious playboy reputation, he moved in social spheres far beyond their reach.

The man's demeanor toward Audrey shifted immediately, his expression now tinged with newfound respect. Everyone knew Dominic's reputation - constantly surrounded by women yet never committing. These weren't the naive schoolmates of years past.

Sensing the change, they wasted no time showering compliments: "Audrey, who would've thought you'd be the luckiest among us, catching Dominic Sinclair's eye?"

"Mr. Sinclair is quite the catch, and you're absolutely stunning. What a perfect match."

"So when's the wedding? We're all waiting for your big day."

Vivian, noticing their excessive flattery, gently squeezed Audrey's hand with a knowing smile. "That depends entirely on Audrey's decision."

The message was clear - the choice ultimately rested with Audrey.

Dominic chimed in with a grin, "Exactly. If Audrey says no, it just means I need to try harder. But don't worry - I won't give up until she says yes."

Nearby, Giselle watched the scene unfold, her eyes burning with envy.

Why? How could Vivian, a married woman, capture Julian's attention? And how did Audrey, once an outsider, attract the heir of the Sinclair family? It made no sense.

Meanwhile, she was stuck with that disgusting middle-aged man, forcing herself to endure his revolting touch.

Why was life so unfair? She wasn't as beautiful or charming as Vivian or Audrey.

What was supposed to be her triumphant moment had become their stage, leaving her feeling even more insignificant.

Giselle composed herself and stepped forward with a strained smile. Her sugary tone couldn't mask the venom beneath. "Vivian, where's your husband? Didn't you promise to bring him? Why show up with Julian instead? Don't tell me he's too embarrassed now that you're clinging to Julian for support."

Vivian met Giselle's gaze with unshakable calm, her expression inscrutable. "He's still at work," she replied evenly. "But he'll be here soon. Running into Julian was pure coincidence."

Her eyes swept lazily across the room, pausing just long enough to make everyone feel scrutinized. A faint, mocking smile played at her lips. "Speaking of partners, where's your boyfriend? Did his family finally put their foot down?"

The casual barb detonated like a grenade in the quiet room. Everyone knew about Giselle's boyfriend - Victor Thornton. The Thornton family wielded considerable influence in Crestwood, and it was common knowledge Victor was married. The business world often turned a blind eye to such affairs, but Vivian's pointed remark shattered that pretense. Those who'd grown tired of Giselle's pretensions struggled to hide their smirks.

Giselle's face darkened with rage. "Compared to your useless husband," she snapped, "my boyfriend is incredibly busy. You ordinary people wouldn't understand his responsibilities. You probably think executives just lounge around all day, don't you?"