But somehow, she was always compared to Khloe. Every spotlight that once shone on her eventually drifted toward Khloe instead.
Scholarships. Internship offers. Study-abroad recommendations. Even the admiration of others-wherever Denise went, Khloe’s name followed, and Denise always came in second.
People had joked that she was always picking up Khloe’s leftovers, mimicking her choices, her achievements, her path. And over time, that comparison turned into resentment.
Khloe had never known any of this. To her, Denise had simply been one of Angela’s bright, ambitious students- always active, always showing up at every event.
But looking at her now, seeing the sharpness in her gaze, Khloe finally understood Tina’s words. The jealousy was written all over Denise’s face.
“What do you mean, competing?” Denise’s voice rose, brittle with irritation. “It’s not me-it’s everyone else who insisted on comparing us.”
Her laugh came out hollow, her expression strained. “But time tells the truth, doesn’t it? Being talented isn’t about a few years in school. It’s about where you end up.”
She lifted her chin, smug and triumphant. “I’ll admit Khloe was impressive back in university. But look at us now -she’s just a housewife, living off her husband’s mood, while I have everything I want.”
She gestured proudly at the glittering jewelry draped over her wrists and neck, her designer dress, and her expensive bag.
Tina opened her mouth to retort, but Khloe stopped her with a gentle touch and a faint smile.
“Denise,” she said, “when you say ‘living off a man,’ do you mean that all these years at Fox Group, I’ve only survived because Trey kept me?”
Khloe said, “It seems you don’t have the full picture of my life after graduation.”
Denise choked on her words, her neck stiffening. “Isn’t it obvious? Trey was the campus heartthrob, his family’s well-off, and you…”
“Back then, Fox Group was on the brink of bankruptcy. I brought in the first million-dollar financing. I single- handedly revived the company, and now its market value exceeds a billion.” Khloe’s words were steady and precise.
“The gap you’re talking about-maybe while I was creating value for Fox Group, you were busy figuring out how to dress yourself in luxury goods,” Khloe continued. 1
Denise had clearly come prepared to impress-designer from head to toe, jewelry glinting, hair and makeup perfect. Khloe’s simple remark drew a few curious glances from the other classmates, making Denise falter, suddenly uncertain of herself.
“Khloe, after all this, you’re just jealous I can afford luxury items. You’ve done worse, and now you talk with such sourness.”
“Look at you now,” Denise continued, “Not a single genuinely valuable thing. That bag’s from graduation, isn’t it? You look cheap and pretentious. If I were you, I’d be too embarrassed to show my face at a reunion.”
Khloe stood up, eyes scanning Denise’s luxuriously decked-out fit. “You prove yourself with material things. I prove myself with my ability. Which of these two ways depends more on what other people think? You tell me.”
“Pfft. Fox Group isn’t your company. You’re just bragging. Everything you have is thanks to Trey giving you the chance!” Denise jabbed again, slyly bringing Trey into the argument.
Khloe set down her wine glass with a sharp clink. The sudden sound sliced through the already tense air, making it chill even further.
Thanks to Trey?”
“Yes. Without him, you, you, you wouldn’t-be-anything!”
Khloe had tried to avoid conflict for Tina’s sake. But Denise kept hovering around the one line she couldn’t tolerate.
The tension grew, and the other classmates, sensing the powder keg, hurriedly stepped in as mediators.
“Khloe, don’t bother with Denise. She just talks without a filter.”
“Yeah, come on, we’re all former classmates. Why so unfriendly at the first meet-up?”
“Denise, you owe yourself three drinks, Quit targeting the school’s top student-she hasn’t done anything to you.”
Pushed and nudged by the group, Denise reluctantly restrained herself. But she refused to drink, and someone volunteered to take her penalty instead.
She sat down, muttering under her breath, “Yeah, sure… heartless little thing. Even relying on a man, she still ends up like this, pathetic.”
Khloe’s eyes, cold and unwavering, fixed on the cluster of former classmates shielding Denise. Without warning, she stood, grabbed a wine glass, and flung it straight into Denise’s face.
“Khloe-!”
The former classmates gasped.
Denise froze, drenched, stunned. After a few seconds, she screamed, scrambling to her feet. “Khloe, are you out of your mind?!”
“Do I seem too gentle normally?” Khloe’s voice was calm, measured, yet carried a chill that seeped into the spine. “Did that give you the illusion that you could dare to offend me?”
The subtle power radiating from her held everyone in place. Even Tina was momentarily stunned.
Denise went into a rage, cursing, ready to strike, only to be restrained by the crowd.
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.