Chapter 103
Chapter 103:
It also dawned on Aileen that the supposedly formidable Maisie might be nothing to Ryan.
Maisie had played her like a fool.
Regret gnawed at her, but there was no time to dwell on it now.
Bowing deeply toward Ryan, she pleaded, “Mr. Haynes, I know I was wrong. Please, show mercy and don’t do this. I promise I’ll never frame anyone again p>
But no matter how Aileen pleaded, Ryan didn’t even spare her a glance.
He only had eyes for Jenessa.
“These clothes won’t do you justice, Jenessa,” he said gruffly.
“I think you need to improve your taste p>
Jenessa didn’t know whether to feel insulted or touched by his seemingly sarcastic remark.
Still, his intentions were crystal clear—he was evidently defending her in front of all these people.
Having been ignored completely, Aileen helplessly glanced upstairs, wondering if revealing Maisie’s involvement might turn the tide in her favor.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, her phone vibrated in her pocket.
She checked and saw that it was a message from Maisie.
It read, “If you dare reveal that this had anything to do with me, I’ll ensure you never work in the fashion industry again. I mean it p>
Aileen bit her lip, left with no choice but to swallow her anger.
After Ryan, Jenessa, and Brinley left, the onlookers also dispersed unceremoniously.
Aileen quickly closed up the boutique, pulling down the metal security gate to block out the outside world.
Only then did Maisie come downstairs, her expression stormy.
She felt as though she had hit rock bottom.
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Ryan coming to Jenessa’s rescue was completely unexpected; he stood up for her and even avenged her against Aileen.
Maisie’s face darkened as she realized this twist had put everything beyond her control.
Ryan’s growing interest in Jenessa was becoming an increasingly dangerous development for her.
Seeing the displeasure written all over Maisie’s face, Aileen anxiously pleaded, “Miss Powell, please, help me beg Mr. Haynes for mercy. I can’t let him donate my clothes to the bums. It’ll ruin my brand p>
“Enough! Ranting to me won’t help. No one can change his mind once it’s made up!” Maisie snapped, her irritation spiking as Aileen’s whining grated on her nerves.
Aileen was taken aback, but unwilling to abandon all hope, she forced a smile and tearfully looked up at Maisie.
“You promised you’d wear my designs to your next event, so p>
“Dream on!” Maisie hissed without hesitation, cutting Aileen off rudely.
What a joke! Wearing a brand now associated with bums would destroy her reputation in the modeling world.
But she couldn’t completely cut Aileen off. After all, the fool was just following her orders to target Jenessa.
If Ryan found out that she was involved in this fiasco, she’d be finished.
Thinking quickly, Maisie scribbled a figure on her checkbook and handed it to Aileen. With a dismissive tone, she said, “Why not rebrand for the mass market? This incident isn’t all bad. Imagine your clothes on the homeless—people will think you’re a compassionate designer. It’s a great promotional opportunity for your brand p>
Aileen nearly lost it. Maisie’s nonsense was infuriating!
The donation would be in Ryan’s name under the WorldLink Group, not hers.
And the figure on the check? It made Aileen shake with rage.
She glared at Maisie, seething, “Are you fucking kidding me? You think you can throw me a bone and call it charity? My brand’s losses are worth way more than this! Maisie Powell, if you don’t help me, I’ll tell Ryan Haynes everything p>
It hadn’t escaped Aileen how terrified Maisie was of Ryan discovering her involvement.