“I only brought this bag for sentimental reasons because it’s a reunion,” Khloe continued. “And yet, your measure of a person is just money? Your view of the world is remarkably narrow.”
Denise was momentarily speechless, her face flushing then paling.
Tina quickly held Khloe’s hand, whispering, “Don’t bother, Khloe. She’s in a different circle now. No point in angering her.”
“Different circle?” Khloe smirked. “I’m curious-what kind of circle is so shallow?”
Khloe’s eyes flicked over the luxury items Denise wore. Altogether, they’d cost maybe twenty thousand at most. She thought that was enough to consider herself the upper echelon? Just because of a few designer pieces?
“Apparently she is-“
Tina started to speak, only to be cut off by a male classmate. “Khloe, no matter how rude Denise is, you shouldn’t have done that. You should apologize to her!”
Soon, others chimed in, all echoing the same sentiment.
“Khloe, why make a big deal? We’re all former classmates.”
“Denise has a strong temper, she speaks bluntly. She didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Besides, Denise’s position is different now. You’re in Goldmont City. Even with Trey watching your back, you shouldn’t offend her. Just apologize, alright?”
Denise’s face lit up, a smug smile spreading. The group’s support felt like a warm breeze, giving her confidence.
“See that, Khloe? Now I’m someone you can’t afford to offend. I suggest you wise up and apologize. Or one call from me, and I’m afraid you won’t have a place to mix in Goldmont City.”
Only Tina stood firm, still shielding Khloe.
“Denise, you attacked first. Khloe throwing wine at you just balances things out. And why are you all acting like this hierarchy matters so much? If anyone should apologize, it’s you!”
At Tina’s words, Denise shot up. “Tina, do you want to ruin your future too? Have you forgotten why you came back to the country? Think carefully before choosing sides.”
Denise’s threat made Tina frown. She glanced at Khloe, clenched her jaw, and said, “Denise, I don’t need your sponsorship. Don’t make things difficult for Khloe.”
“For a friend as pathetic as Khloe, is it really worth it, Tina?”
Denise rolled her eyes.
Tina grabbed Khloe’s hand to leave, but someone blocked the doorway. Khloe gently pushed Tina’s hand away.
Seeing the stalemate, the organizer of the reunion stepped forward to urge Khloe to back down.
“Khloe, I’ll be honest. Offending Denise is like offending the Morrison family.”
“The Morrison family? You mean… the richest family in Goldmont City?” Khloe’s eyes widened in surprise, then a smile crept onto her face.
“Yes.” The organizer, thinking Khloe finally grasped the severity, added, “Denise is best friends with the Morrison heiress.”
“The Morrison heiress? You mean the one in the news-Niel Morrison’s biological daughter? The one who just reclaimed her billion-dollar inheritance?”
“That’s her. Denise has been close with her for years. Everything she owns comes from the Morrison heiress.”
The organizer grew more animated, worried eyes fixed on Khloe, as if trying to impress the gravity of the situation on her.
Khloe, however, only found it increasingly absurd. She had no idea she and Denise had been lifelong best friends, nor that she’d been showering Denise with so many gifts.
She laughed, quietly, because it was genuinely ridiculous.
The organizer, thinking Khloe was still resisting, pointed at Tina.
“Khloe, I know you’re stubborn, but a wise person avoids immediate losses. Tina is your friend, right? You should think of her.”
Tina had returned to Goldmont City to negotiate with the Morrison family, but had hit several closed doors. Hearing that Denise had connections, she came to the reunion.
Khloe now understood why she had been called. Denise had been thinking of her all along-two years after graduation, still trying to compare themselves.
“If someone like us offended the Morrison family, there’s no way we can survive in Goldmont City…”
The chatter continued beside her, but Khloe had lost patience. She turned back to Denise.
“Denise, do you really know the Morrison heiress?”
Denise, mistaking Khloe’s composure for fear, crossed her arms and lifted her chin, smug and self-satisfied.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.