She Accepted Divorce, He Panicked

046 A Lousy Pickup Line Scarlett's POV

The circle is surprised to utter silence. Aurora frowns - Granny is resolving the situation on his behalf and he doesn't seem to understand that. Ava smiles politely with restraint, delivering her disappointment at an "unreasonable liar" perfectly. Even Granny is surprised.

Lilith shoots over a worried look at him and he gives her a reassuring smile.

The mean girls throw mocks mixed with attacks, but none seem to even land on the stranger. He just stands there with a polite smile, looking directly at Ava.

"I'm not sure if I want to answer your question," Ava pouts lightly, "considering you didn't answer mine."

About his name? I mean, sure he didn't answer, but I would hardly consider that an offense-

"Why did you-" The stranger takes a step in Ava's direction and Ava backs a step as if scared.

Instantly Sebastian walks up and stands between Ava and the stranger.

T

"I mean no harm. Can I not even talk to the lady who made a pretty mean accusation at me?" The stranger looks at Sebastian calmly.

And that's the moment I realized - He doesn't know who Sebastian is! No one in the city would talk to Sebastian like that. Not impolite, just...equal.

He is from out of town!

That's why he seems to belong to the upper class, yet no one at the party seems to regonize him. Not even Granny.

"Hmmm-" I want to remind him, but Granny already left the center of the circle, and she takes me back to the outskirts with her.

"I guess I stepped in too fast, too," Granny smirks at me, "The kid sees far."

See far? Of what?

"The thing about Nightingale," The stranger suddenly turns to Lilith, explaining with a warm smile as if taking a student to class, "they design the initials of their +25 BONUS

046 A Lousy Picku

customized pieces if they only make one of them, and they leave that in random places."

Lilith blinks for a second before she gasps in shock and then looks down at her dress.

av eves in

Oh, my, God! I dart Ava's direction, just in time to catch the split second of panic flashes through her eyes.

Her nervous look says it all: The stranger was telling the truth about the initials, and moreover, Ava does NOT own the original!

"So, Miss Ava, if you may indulge me with this one question," The stranger turns to Ava calmly, "did you ask about my name out of curiosity, or did you just want to know what to answer if I asked you, what the two letters designed into this piece were?" Huh, I did not see this twist coming. Happily, I turn to look at Ava, only to see the angry glare of Sebastian. Seriously? He would take her side even when proof i is in front of his face?

"I was just being polite..." Ava murmurs in a crying tone, gripping the corner of Sebastian's suit, "I didn't mean no harm, really..."

The stranger tilts his head, a shade of impatience in his eyes. But after a second, he only lets out a snort and lets Ava off the hook by turning to Olivia instead:

gave the dress to Miss-"

He suddenly stops and waits for Lilith.

Such a lousy line to get her name. Aurora and I exchange a look and we both look away- or we would burst into laughter.

Lilith's ears turn red with visible speed.

"Lilith..." Lilith says, only to realize her voice is tiny like a kitten. She clears her throat and finish before she looks away, too, "Lilith Grey."

The stranger smiles with satisfaction, continuing his line, "I gave the dress to Miss Grey because I saw her the perfect fit for a piece as stunning as her. The dress is a genuine piece of the Nightingale, and I'd appreciate it if you can apologize to her, AND me, for catching ill attention to her with an accusation because you didn't know better."

Olivia looks like she's about to cry.

To be honest, for what they did to Lilith? The handsome stranger's request is only a

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245 A Loosy Pekum Line

slap on the wrist. I feel pity that the bunch of mean girls and Ava the liar are off the hook so easily, but I do admire how the stranger decided to not tear Ava up for the ugly truth all the way.

A true gentleman indeed.

But Olivia wouldn't give him this small win. With her ears red in anger, she demands:" You are saying that your initials are on the dress, so what? You know about this feature of the Nightingale, then you can put your own name on the knockoff yourself! The original belongs I feel bad for Ava.