That statement undoubtedly confirmed the matter was true.

"Wow~ Vivian, I heard Miss Morgan has incredibly high standards. The fact that you could satisfy her means you’re just too amazing!"

"Exactly, Vivian, you’re so incredible. Once you start collaborating with the Morgan Family, you’ll be a top international designer in no time. Congratulations, congratulations!"

A few socialites chimed in one after another, their faces practically contorted with envy as they showered her with flattery.

"Thank you, everyone. I’ll keep working hard." Vivian Linton’s smile grew even more brilliant, an involuntary look of smugness on her face.

’As for the collaboration with Miss Morgan, victory is in my grasp.’

’After all, I have Tristan as my powerful backer.’

’I refuse to believe any other studio in Mistcroft would dare compete with me.’

’The Morgan Family is one of the nation’s most elite families. As long as I can become their exclusive designer, my future will be limitless.’

’By then, my net worth will skyrocket. I’d like to see what reason that old geezer from the Sterling Family will have to block me from being with Tristan.’

’All this time, Master Sterling has looked down on me simply because my status doesn’t match Tristan’s.’

’Once I make a name for myself, I’ll shut that old fossil’s mouth for good.’

Vivian Linton felt a wave of satisfaction just thinking about it.

In her heart, she couldn’t help but look forward even more to her shining moment when Miss Morgan would announce their collaboration.

After finishing his call, Tristan Sterling walked over.

Vivian Linton immediately abandoned the socialites and swayed gracefully toward him.

"Tristan."

She gave him a charming smile, her voice soft and sweet. Clinging to him like a delicate bird, she looped her arm through his and gazed at him affectionately.

But she was stunned to realize his gaze wasn’t on her at all. Instead, it was fixed intently on someone in the distance...

’Holly Sinclair?’

’That damn bitch just won’t go away!’

’What is she doing here?!’

Maybe it was just paranoia, but the moment Vivian Linton saw Holly Sinclair, a bad feeling washed over her.

’Because I know deep down that in terms of ability, looks, and background, I’m far inferior to Holly Sinclair.’

’Although I hate to admit it, that’s the truth.’

’That’s why I’m so insanely jealous of Holly Sinclair.’

’I wish Holly Sinclair had never existed.’

’That way, *I* would be number one!’

Holly Sinclair noticed the gazes from Tristan Sterling and Vivian Linton, and the corner of her mouth twitched into a barely-there smirk.

A silent, mocking sneer.

’Is Mistcroft too small, or am I just cursed with bad luck? How can I run into this scumbag and bitch everywhere I go?’

Tristan Sterling and Vivian Linton walked up to Holly Sinclair.

Vivian Linton wore a friendly smile and greeted her in a familiar tone, "Holly, what a coincidence—"

"A good dog doesn’t block the path!"

But before she could finish, Holly Sinclair cut her off coldly.

"Holly Sinclair, you—"

The smile on Vivian Linton’s face froze. Her eyes quickly turned red as she switched to a wronged expression in a split second. "Holly, how could you say that? It’s fine if you curse at me, I can take it. I’m used to it by now... But how could you curse at Tristan, too?"

When it came to instigating fights, Vivian Linton was a master of the craft.

’How could a proud man like Tristan tolerate being called a dog?’

’So Tristan will definitely get angry.’

However, Tristan Sterling only furrowed his brows slightly.

There was indeed a trace of displeasure in his eyes, but he didn’t fly into a rage as Vivian Linton had expected.

Tristan Sterling stared deeply at Holly Sinclair.

’I haven’t seen her in half a month. She seems a little thinner.’

’Her complexion isn’t great. Has she been too busy with work recently?’

After waiting for a long while without seeing Tristan Sterling get angry at Holly Sinclair, Vivian Linton looked up and saw him staring intently at Holly.

Vivian Linton’s hands clenched abruptly, the jealousy and hatred in her heart almost boiling over.

"Vivian Linton, I’m not here for target practice, so stop aiming your bitchiness at me. Scram if you know what’s good for you, and don’t look for trouble!" Holly Sinclair warned coldly.

She didn’t want to get any more tangled up with this scumbag and bitch.

Sonia Sutton glanced at the time and reminded her, "Holly, deliver the dress first."

"Right." Holly Sinclair nodded.

’Dress?’

Vivian Linton’s heart skipped a beat.

Only then did she notice the exquisite bag Holly Sinclair was carrying.

She instantly understood.

’That bitch Holly Sinclair is trying to steal my top-tier client, Miss Morgan, right from under my nose.’

’In your dreams!’

’I’ll never allow it!’

’Collaborating with Evelyn Morgan is my ticket to marrying into the Sterling Family. I absolutely cannot let Holly Sinclair ruin my plans.’

Vivian Linton thought viciously. Seeing Holly Sinclair walk past her, she immediately grabbed her.

"Holly, you can’t go! You cursed at someone without reason, you have to apologize to Tristan first... AH..."

Before her words had even faded, Holly Sinclair raised her hand.

Terrified, Vivian Linton’s face paled. Thinking she was about to be slapped, she instinctively covered her head and shrieked.

"Holly!"

Tristan Sterling shouted, grabbing Holly Sinclair’s hand, which was suspended in mid-air.

"Mr. Sterling, what are you doing?"

But Holly Sinclair was calm and composed, neither flustered nor angry. The cold smile on her lips only deepened.

"What do you think you’re doing?" he retorted, his brows knitted together, his eyes filled with disapproval.

He thought the same as Vivian Linton—that she was about to hit someone in public.

Holly Sinclair chuckled, her eyes dripping with sarcasm. She shook off his hand and rubbed her wrist where he had squeezed it painfully. "My hair was messy, so I was fixing it. What? Am I not allowed to fix my hair?"

"This is not the time or place for you to be causing trouble!" Tristan Sterling chided, his tone both a reminder and a warning.

"I’m causing trouble?"

A cold glint in her eyes, Holly Sinclair met Tristan Sterling’s gaze. "If you don’t want me to cause trouble, then control your dog. Stop letting her come bark in my face!"

With that, she shoved Vivian Linton, who was blocking her way, aside.

"Ah..." Vivian Linton cried out, falling opportunistically into Tristan Sterling’s arms.

Holly Sinclair couldn’t be bothered to watch her performance and walked straight toward the VIP lounge.

Having failed to stop her, Vivian Linton seethed, grinding her teeth in frustration.

’No!’

’I can’t let Holly Sinclair give that dress to Miss Morgan.’

’If Miss Morgan wears a qipao designed by Holly Sinclair tonight, then all that boasting I just did in front of those socialites...’

’I can’t let myself be humiliated!’

"Hiss..." Vivian Linton suddenly clutched her stomach, letting out a pained gasp.

"What’s wrong?" Tristan Sterling asked, pulling his gaze away from Holly Sinclair.

"It’s nothing, my stomach just feels a little upset. I’m going to the restroom."

Vivian Linton made a quick excuse and, under Tristan Sterling’s inscrutable gaze, hurried off in the direction of the restroom.

...

Led by a staff member, Holly Sinclair entered the VIP dressing room.

It was empty.

Holly Sinclair placed the bag on a table, then left with the staff member.

Just as they rounded a corner, a figure quickly slipped into the dressing room.

Back in the ballroom, Holly Sinclair subconsciously scanned the crowd for Vivian Linton.

She didn’t see her.

A sense of unease immediately crept into her heart.

Having been screwed over by Vivian Linton too many times, she now had a firm belief: ’Nothing good ever happens when Vivian Linton is around.’

’No!’

’I have to go back and guard the qipao.’

With that thought, Holly Sinclair immediately turned around and headed back the way she came.

As she neared the dressing room, she saw that the door, which had been shut tight, was now ajar. The bad feeling grew even stronger.

She quickened her pace and threw the door open.

Sure enough, a woman was standing in front of the table where the qipao had been left.

"Vivian Linton, what are you doing?!"