Stepping out of the restroom, Mandy reached for her makeup when a familiar figure near the washbasin caught her eye.
Draco stood there, his icy gaze filled with disdain.
Mandy’s heart raced instinctively as she felt Draco’s icy, disdainful gaze.
Had Draco overheard her conversation with Vivi? “Draco...” she said hesitantly. He pursed his lips, looked away, and strode off.
Flustered by his departure, Mandy rushed after him and grasped his hand, attempting to explain, “Draco, it’s not what you think.
Please, hear me out.”
Draco gently freed his hand from her grasp, his frosty smile and flat tone revealing his indifference. “Miss Hamilton, there’s no
need to justify yourself to me.”
His cold demeanor left Mandy feeling humiliated.
Was she a terrible person in his eyes?
Did he believe she’d hurt Janet, prompting his frosty behavior?
Draco shot her another icy glance and continued walking.
Unable to bear the frigid atmosphere, Mandy blocked his path, her eyes welling up. “Do you really see me as despicable and
shameless?” she choked out.
The anguish of being misunderstood by her prince charming emboldened Mandy.
She longed to clarify that she wasn’t a shallow, malicious person.
Even if she truly detested Janet, she’d compete honorably through her designs, not with underhanded tactics.
Momentarily entranced by her resolve, Draco soon regained his composure, regarded Mandy calmly, ands replied fiatly, “You’ve
misunderstood, Miss Hamilton. Your character is none of my concern.”
Tears brimming, Mandy’s voice quivered. “What do you mean it’s not your concern? Am I that insignificant to you, Draco?”
Unmoved by her distress, Draco remained poised, his tone polite but distant.
“Miss Hamilton, we have no real connection. At most, we’re merely peers in the design industry.”
His words shattered Mandy’s heart, the pain so suffocating that she struggled to breathe.
Biting her lip, Mandy’s eyes reddened. Her tears threatened to spill.
Knowing Draco already harbored a strong dislike for her, she didn’t want to prolong the scene by crying in front of the man she
admired. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to walk away either.
She didn’t want Draco to misunderstand her, despite her disheveled state.
And so, they stood in a silent standoff near the restroom door, neither one yielding.
At last, Draco’s heart softened, and he sighed. “Miss Hamilton, how long do you plan to stand here blocking my path?”
Feeling wronged, Mandy glared at him. “I just want to tell you that I’m not the despicable and incompetent person you think I am.
I aim to beat Janet, but only by relying on my own abilities! You’ll see. I’ll prove it to you!” Without waiting for his response, she
spun around and dashed off.
Draco watched her flustered retreat, his feelings inscrutable.
Mandy found a secluded corner and lingered there, her heart gradually calming.
Taking deep breaths, she replayed her bold declaration, embarrassment threatening to engulf her.
“Am I an idiot?” she muttered, stomping her foot. “I’ve ruined any chance I had with Draco!”