Tina was stunned by the look in his eyes, and the words she was about to speak got stuck in her throat. Her mind went blank.
Neil glanced at Tina, his voice cold, "You claim she's not the chief designer of International Fashion. Then where's your proof?"
Tina froze completely. What did Neil mean by that? Could Anna really be the chief designer of International Fashion?
The thought flashed through her head but she instantly rejected it.
Impossible!
Back then, Anna had nothing, no money, no skills, and she hadn't even graduated college. How could she possibly have climbed to such a position?
"Mr. Walker, she's my half-sister. I know her better than anyone, and she's definitely a fake!" Tina stammered.
"And if I say Anna is indeed the chief designer, are you going to question me too?"
Tina's eyes widened in shock. She never thought Anna could actually be Marie!
Her gaze darted toward Harry, only to see his face expressionless, his dark eyes carrying a silent warning.
Tina's face went pale. Her throat felt dry, and though her lips parted, no words came out. Her mind was in complete chaos.
Why? Why?!
She was already the young mistress of the Luke family, yet Anna still overshadowed her.
She blurted out, "Impossible!"
Neil's eyes grew colder as he stepped forward, his tall frame shielding Anna.
His heavy gaze fell on Tina as he said in an icy voice, "I didn't know that the business of International Fashion required the interference of an outsider."
The sharp words snapped Tina back to her senses. Her lips trembled, and tears as big as peas rolled down her cheeks.
She quickly shook her head and said, "Mr. Walker, that's not what I meant…"
Marie, the chief designer of International Fashion, had been world-famous for years.
But five years ago, Anna had been just a penniless nobody. How could she have risen so high so fast?
Tina had been so sure Anna couldn't possibly be the designer, which was why she had spoken with such confidence.
Yet now, in front of so many giants of the fashion industry, she realized she might become the laughingstock of the entire city by tomorrow!
The thought made her shiver. Her eyes reddened as she clasped her hands tightly together.
Those who had been waiting to mock Anna immediately shifted their stance.
"Unbelievable. She really dared to lie and slander Miss Marie."
"Yeah, if Mr. Walker hadn't clarified, we might have been fooled by her nonsense."
The whispers cut into Tina like needles, one after another, piercing straight into her pride.
Standing there under the harsh spotlight, dressed in her finest clothes, Tina felt like a pathetic clown.
She had thought she could humiliate Anna, but instead, she had tripped over her own schemes.
The disdainful looks and biting comments made her feel exposed, like her mask had been ripped off in front of everyone.
A wave of shame and humiliation washed over her.
Anna walked forward, her gaze calm and cold. "Tina, now that Mr. Walker has confirmed my identity, do you still doubt him?"
Tina clenched her hands tightly, feeling the warning glare from Harry.
The Luke Fashion Company had been preparing to partner with International Fashion for over a year. If she ruined things now, she'd be in deep trouble.
With a heavy heart, Tina looked at Anna and forced the words out through gritted teeth, "Miss Marie, I'm sorry. I was rash and accused you without knowing the truth."
Seeing the unwillingness in Tina's eyes, Anna gave a soft chuckle, her gaze playful as she spoke, "Not every apology can be brushed off with an 'it's okay.' If Mr. Walker hadn't been here today, I would've been branded as a fraud pretending to be the chief designer of an international brand. Who would clear my name then?"
Tina shivered, realizing Anna wouldn't let her off so easily. She bit her lip and glanced at Harry, but he just stood there, offering no help.
Left with no choice, she tried to appeal, "Sister, I didn't mean it. I was blind to your status. Please, for the sake of our sisterhood, let this go."
Anna's lips curved into a cold smile as she stressed her words, "Yes, we are sisters. And I'm not petty enough to hold grudges."
Tina was stunned. She hadn't expected Anna to forgive her so easily, leaving her momentarily speechless.
But then Anna's tone sharpened, "However, I'm here on behalf of the entire International Fashion design team. By slandering me, you also slandered the brand itself. If I just let this slide, won't people think our company is weak and easy to bully?"
Tina froze. Anna's sudden words were clearly meant to throw her into the fire!
Her fists tightened as she felt the weight of everyone's eyes. Her face flushed bright red, and her nails dug deep into her palms.
Forcing a smile, she said, "Sister, today is your launch event. I admit I was wrong. After it's over, I'll personally come and apologize."
Anna withdrew her gaze, unwilling to waste more energy on her.
She waved her hand lightly. "Yes, the event's about to start, and I don't have the time to argue. But let me give you some advice, don't look down on others and make false accusations. Not everyone is as forgiving as I am."
With that, she pulled Neil along and left.
Once Anna and Neil were gone, the crowd backstage slowly dispersed, leaving only Tina and Harry.
Still red-faced from being publicly humiliated, Tina looked at Harry's cold expression and cautiously whispered, "Harry…"
His face was stern as he glanced at her, his voice cutting like ice. "Go home."
Tina's eyes welled up with hurt. She bit her lip, trying to explain, "Harry, about this..."
But Harry cut her off sharply. "What? Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?"
Faced with his icy demeanor, Tina could only bite her lip and look at him pitifully. But Harry felt no sympathy at all and turned to leave.
Watching his retreating figure, a flicker of malice flashed in Tina's eyes.
Anna… she would never forget today's humiliation!