“Leah!” Barbara called out.
Leah turned with a smile, her sequined fishtail gown glittering under the lights. From her dress to her makeup and headpiece, everything on her shimmered. She approached with a practiced grace and smiled at Barbara before glancing at Sophia.
“Your friend?” Leah asked, her tone polite but lacking warmth.
“Yes, this is my good friend, Sophia,” Barbara replied proudly.
“She’s beautiful,” Leah said with a faint smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Of course! Sophia is the number one beauty in my heart!” Barbara declared.
Leah froze for a moment, her expression stiffening. She didn’t reply, only giving a slight nod before Sophia politely excused herself to greet some other friends. As Sophia raised her glass of red wine, the vibrant blue diamond on her hand caught the light, creating a mesmerizing sparkle.
Leah’s eyes narrowed as she tugged Barbara aside and whispered, “Your friend’s ring—it’s fake, right?”
Barbara hesitated, not wanting to comment on behalf of Sophia. She smiled lightly. “Why do you think that?”
“It’s obviously fake! Look at how it sparkles—it’s probably glass. I’ve dealt with enough jewelers to tell the difference. If it were a real diamond of that size, it would cost at least sixty million. Look at her—wearing last year’s dress, no other jewelry, and clearly not from a wealthy family.”
While Leah’s observations weren’t entirely wrong—Sophia’s original family wasn’t wealthy—her words still irked Barbara. Leah’s judgmental attitude grated on her nerves, especially since Sophia was her close friend.
“Who knows? It might be real,” Barbara retorted.
“Impossible! If it were real, she’d have to be ridiculously wealthy. Either that, or a man gave it to her. And no man gives something that expensive without expecting something in return. Trust me, I’ve seen this before. Some girls from modest backgrounds try to climb into our circles, but it’s not that simple. Gifts from the rich always come with strings attached. Honestly, if the ring is fake, it just shows she’s vain—probably saved up for months to buy one dress and paired it with a knockoff accessory. You can find plenty like that online, selling for a few hundred or a thousand dollars.”
Barbara forced a smile, though her expression darkened. Leah’s condescension was grating, especially since she didn’t know the truth. Sophia wasn’t trying to climb any social ladder, and the man who gave her that ring—Livinus—was leagues above Leah’s world.
“Sophia isn’t that kind of person,” Barbara said firmly.
“All right, all right. I’m just saying,” Leah replied, though her smirk lingered.
—
As they spoke, a man entered the hall, drawing everyone’s attention.
Tall and commanding, his chiseled features exuded a cold, authoritative air. Surrounded by a small entourage, he was clearly the center of attention. As he walked in, he exchanged a few words with someone beside him, his gestures radiating confidence and charisma. Without saying much, he naturally became the focal point of the room.
“Mr. Scott !” an older gentleman greeted him warmly.
Sophia, standing to the side, felt a mix of emotions seeing her partner in such a setting.
Usually, she saw him on the mountain, away from the hustle and bustle, with little need for socializing. This side of him—charismatic and commanding—was new to her. Regardless of the setting, he was undeniably captivating.
Sipping her wine, Sophia suddenly felt a gaze on her.
Amid his conversations, Livinus’s eyes swept across the room and landed on her. His gaze lingered for a moment, his lips pressing into a faint line, before he returned to his discussion.
Nearby, Leah tugged on Barbara’s sleeve and whispered excitedly, “Do you see that man?”
Barbara nodded, noticing how Livinus’s eyes had briefly flickered toward Sophia before shifting away. Feeling awkward, she forced a smile at him, which he acknowledged with a nod before continuing his conversation.
“Hey, I think he just looked at me! Barbara, do you think he’s interested in me?” Leah asked eagerly.
Barbara frowned, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Leah’s imagination was running wild—did she not realize Livinus’s girlfriend was standing right here?
“Probably not,” Barbara replied bluntly.
“Of course he did! Did you see him looking at any other woman? No! He looked at me!” Leah insisted, her excitement palpable.
Just then, Leah’s mother approached and whispered, “That’s Mr. Scott . If there’s any chance we can connect with him, it’d be incredible. I heard he’s not married yet and doesn’t have a public girlfriend. If you could get close to him, our family’s company could thrive on even the smallest project from Scott Corporation.”
Leah’s eyes lit up, clearly tempted by the idea.
As Sophia walked by, she overheard Leah’s mother say:
“Leah, when Mr. Scott comes over, go up and talk to him. You’re knowledgeable, you love traveling and fitness—men these days adore women like you. You’re sure to catch his interest.”
“But Mom… he seems like a hard person to approach. He hasn’t smiled once since he arrived. He looks so serious.”
“That’s fine. Men just need to be coaxed. Once he’s yours, you can slowly guide him as you like.”
Leah nodded resolutely, her determination renewed. “Alright, I’ll approach him later.”
“That’s the spirit! Remember, with men like him, you need to be gentle and accommodating. He won’t refuse someone as young and beautiful as you.”
