Chapter 425

Kevin Kent finally came to his senses. He stole a glance at Zane Simmons’s expression, and seeing it was calm, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He then turned to Lucy White and said in a low, stern voice, "I knew it. Girls like you love to frame people! But I’ve been a charitable man for years, so I won’t stoop to your level. If you know what’s good for you, apologize to my wife and get out of here quietly. Do that, and we’ll forget about the money for the dress!"

The words had barely left Kevin Kent’s mouth when, before Lucy White could speak, Zane Simmons suddenly interjected from the side, "No. Compensation is still required."

Kevin Kent froze, looking at Zane Simmons in confusion. ’Is he speaking up for me?’

’Is Zane Simmons worried I’ll lose out, so he’s demanding compensation from Lucy White on my behalf?’

At this thought, Kevin Kent grew ecstatic. ’Zane Simmons must be doing this because he’s impressed with me! My ship has finally come in!’

Suppressing his excitement, Kevin Kent waved a magnanimous hand at Zane Simmons. "President Simmons, thank you for your concern, but one look at this young lady and you can tell she’s broke. She probably can’t come up with the money... To tell you the truth, I’ve made a habit of being charitable over the years. Let’s just forget about the compensation. We can consider it giving her a break."

Kevin Kent was feeling quite pleased with himself, thinking he had made a good impression on Zane Simmons, but Zane simply gave a faint smile.

Zane Simmons looked at Kevin Kent and said slowly, "You needn’t concern yourself with that. Miss White is a relative of the Simmons family. Whether the dress costs two million or twenty million, the Simmons family can afford it."

"What?!" Kevin Kent was utterly shocked. He stared at Zane Simmons in disbelief and muttered, "This... How is this possible..."

Kevin Kent couldn’t believe his ears. ’How could Lucy White be a relative of the Simmons family?!’

’If she were really a relative of the Simmons family, why would she be selling herself at The Crestview Hotel?! There must be some kind of misunderstanding!’

Autumn Sawyer’s expression turned ugly as well. She stared wide-eyed at Lucy White, finding it impossible to believe that Lucy could have any connection to the Simmons family.

’If I’d known who she was, I never would have crossed her so carelessly!’

’I just spent all that time berating her, and I even slapped her... If the Simmons family comes after me for this, what will I do?!’

At this thought, Autumn Sawyer trembled and nearly lost her footing. She walked over to Lucy White and said in a shaky voice, "S-Sorry, Miss White. It was all a misunderstanding... Please forgive me, I didn’t mean what I did earlier..."

Before Lucy White could respond, Zane Simmons continued, "Alright, I’ll have the hotel staff pull the security footage and see what really happened. If, as you claim, it was Miss White who was harassing you, the Simmons family will certainly pay for the dress in full."

Then, Zane Simmons’s tone shifted. "However..." he said grimly, "if things didn’t happen the way you described, then know that the Simmons don’t let our own be bullied for nothing. When that time comes, I expect you to give Miss White a satisfactory explanation. Otherwise... don’t blame Simmons for being unpleasant."

The moment Zane Simmons finished speaking, Kevin Kent’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees with a THUD.

He looked at Zane Simmons, his face filled with terror, and stammered, "P-President Simmons, it was my fault..."

His sudden action piqued the curiosity of the bystanders, who all began craning their necks to get a better look.

Zane Simmons paid him no further mind, walking straight over to Lucy White. "Come with me," he said. "My mom’s been looking all over for you. Let’s not keep her waiting."

Lucy White was in no mood to wonder why Paige Walsh was looking for her. Everyone in the auction hall was now openly staring in their direction, and all she wanted was to get away as fast as possible.

So, she nodded and left with Zane Simmons.

After Zane Simmons and Lucy White had gone, Autumn Sawyer frantically rushed to Kevin Kent’s side. "What do we do now?!" she cried, struggling to pull him to his feet. "How could that woman be a relative of the Simmons... We’ve offended her! Are the Simmons going to have the hotel throw us out?!"

With Autumn Sawyer’s help, Kevin Kent shakily got to his feet.

His lips were pale, and he was still visibly shaken.

He still couldn’t wrap his head around it. ’How could Lucy White possibly be related to the Simmons family?!’

Kevin Kent thought it over and concluded that the Simmons must have been tricked by Lucy White!

’I have to expose her true colors to the Simmons!’

He grabbed Autumn Sawyer, about to say something, but before he could open his mouth, several security guards in black suits approached them.

The lead guard spoke. "Mr. Kent, the hotel has received a complaint of harassment against you. We’ll need you to come with us, please."

With that, he made a gesture for Kevin Kent to follow.

Seeing this, Kevin Kent’s face went even paler.

He gritted his teeth and said to the guard, "Please, just give me two minutes. I need to tell my wife something."

As Autumn Sawyer looked on anxiously, Kevin Kent leaned in and whispered in her ear, recounting the story of how he had met Lucy White at The Crestview Hotel.

Kevin Kent said through gritted teeth, "The Simmons family has definitely been duped by this woman! Go find Serena right now. She’s been getting along well with Miss Walsh lately. Have her ask Miss Walsh for help. We absolutely have to expose that woman’s true colors!"

Kevin Kent thought that once the Simmons family discovered Lucy White’s true nature, they wouldn’t hold his harassment of her against him. They might even thank him for the tip!

’After all, what prestigious family would tolerate having a prostitute living under their roof?!’

******

Lucy White apprehensively followed Zane Simmons out of the elevator, not daring to make a sound the entire time.

’After what Zane Simmons saw today,’ Lucy thought, ’he must think I’m just causing them trouble...’

Just as Lucy White was lost in her anxious thoughts, Zane Simmons suddenly spoke. "What’s wrong? Still worried about those two?"

It took her a moment to register his words, and she just stared at him blankly without speaking.

Zane continued, "Don’t worry. I’ve already sent people to handle it. I guarantee you a satisfactory resolution. They dared to bully you, so they will pay the price."

Lucy White fell silent for a moment before saying softly, "It’s okay, really... Maybe we should just let it go..."

After such a scene, Lucy White just felt numb.

She knew that if Kevin Kent was cornered, he would almost certainly reveal her past. All she wanted now was for the matter to be over.

Zane Simmons didn’t quite hear what Lucy White said. They had reached the door to Paige Walsh’s room. He knocked softly, then opened it and went inside.

Facing Paige Walsh again, a sense of dread washed over Lucy White.

Joanne White had previously given Paige Walsh food that triggered an allergic reaction and had even helped set her up to be cheated on. Lucy White felt so ashamed that she didn’t know how she could possibly face Paige.

She was sure Paige Walsh had summoned her to hold her accountable. If Paige were to hit her or scream at her, she wouldn’t say a word. She would just take it as atonement for Joanne White’s sins.

But instead, Paige Walsh took Lucy White’s hand with a kind smile. Her face was full of affection as she said, "You must be Lucy, right? You poor child... Come, let’s sit and talk."