Taking two sses from the tray, she approached me with a polite demeanor and asked softly, “Debra, would you like a ss?”


    Just as I was about to refuse, Shirley added with a smile, “Let this drink be a symbol of our reconciliation.


    It would be wonderful to bury the hatchet after all the disagreements.


    I hope you won’t turn it down, Debra.


    ”


    Politely, I declined, “Apologies, I’m not ustomed to alcohol, so I’ll pass.


    ”


    But Shirley persisted, insisting on offering me the drink.


    “Debra, please take it.


    If you refuse, it’ll mean you haven’t forgiven me.


    ”


    Her unusual persistence raised my suspicions.


    Was there something wrong with the drink?


    I found it hard to believe that Shirley would suddenly confess her fault and alter her behavior.


    Given her history, this seemed like a potential new ploy to ensnare me.


    So, I refused more firmly, saying, “I’m sorry, Shirley, but I really can’t handle alcohol.


    And since I have socialmitmentster with Andrew, it would be inconvenient if I were to be intoxicated.


    ”


    “It’s fine; you won’t get tipsy!” Shirley insisted, pressing the drink toward me.


    “See, it’s just a touch of champagne; it’s quite mild.


    Surely, you won’t refuse this kind gesture…”


    Before she could finish, the champagne spilled onto my dress, sending an instant chill down my spine.


    “Ah!” I let out a small cry and stepped back, but it was toote; my exquisite dress was drenched.


    “I’m so sorry, Debra!” Shirley eximed, appearing apologetic, yet I caught a brief glimpse of


    regret flickering in her eyes before it disappeared.


    Feigning fluster, she apologized, “Debra, I’m so sorry.


    It’s entirely my fault.


    I shouldn’t have pushed you to drink, causing your dress to be ruined.


    I feel awful.


    ”


    It wasn’t clear if it was deliberate, but her voice was loud enough for nearby guests to notice us.


    To avoid further embarrassment, I mustered a strained smile and replied, “It’s alright.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ”


    Shirley then suggested, “Would you like me to take you to change into another dress? I always carry a spare one for emergencies at events.


    You’re wee to use it if necessary.


    ”


    Without hesitation, I declined Shirley’s offer.


    “That won’t be necessary.


    ”


    Who knew if this was another one of her traps?


    I stepped back and responded coldly, “Shirley, I’m capable of changing by myself.


    ”


    Without affording her an opportunity to argue, I turned to locate Andrew and inform him of the incident.


    However, he was nowhere to be found in the banquet hall, and despite my thorough search, he remained elusive.


    A sense of unease crept over me.


    Where could Andrew have disappeared so quickly?


    Debra’s POV: