Chapter 2

Diana immediately picked up where Rosalie left off. "Rosalie, don’t bother with her. She’s a lost cause. Come in. I made you some really good tea!"

The group gathered around Rosalie like she was the center of attention and followed her into the house.

Drake sat right next to her, their legs nearly touching as they shared apple slices and ate together.

"Liana Thornton, what are you standing there for?" Diana turned back and saw me, her face instantly darkening. "Didn’t you see Rosalie is here? No awareness at all! Go, stew that chicken in the kitchen, and make a few proper dishes. Rosalie likes spicy food, so add more chili!"

Drake frowned as well. "Exactly. Stop standing there like a post. It’s killing the mood. Go get to work."

"Alright, you guys chat." I didn’t argue.

The moment I turned and walked into the kitchen, I heard Rosalie begin to boast.

"Aunt Diana, honestly, this car is nothing. My aunt already arranged everything for me this year. After the New Year, I’ll be joining Halcyon Group as a department manager. My annual salary is this much—"

"Halcyon Group? Oh my God, that’s the biggest company in Ravensport!" Diana’s shocked voice carried into the kitchen.

My hand paused slightly as I chopped vegetables. I almost laughed.

Pull strings to get into Halcyon Group?

Since when was my company hiring?

If I remembered correctly, the person she was referring to should be the project manager under me, Zara Finn, whom I had nearly fired for failing to meet performance targets.

"Rosalie, you’re incredible! A company like Halcyon Group—I've heard even the janitors need a college degree!" Diana’s tone turned fawning. "If Drake ever gets treated unfairly in the future, you have to stand up for him."

"Aunt Diana, don’t worry. Drake’s business is my business." Rosalie patted her chest confidently, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Unlike some people who can’t even afford a decent gift!"

Diana seemed to have found a kindred spirit, her tone growing even sharper. "Don’t even get me started. With the way Liana looks, what kind of future could she possibly have?"

"Rosalie, you have no idea. Last year, when I went to Liana’s house, I picked up that bracelet from a roadside stall. It probably cost twenty or thirty bucks at most. Might not even have as much metal in it as a spoon."

I thought back to last year. The silver bracelet on my mother’s wrist that had turned dark was the one Diana had given her. She must have felt guilty for giving my mother a fake, and assumed the one I gave her was fake too.

Diana let out a piercing laugh. "And guess what? Liana’s mom treated it like a treasure. She put it on right away, even teared up, saying I’d spent so much on it. How clueless, absolutely hilarious!"

"Hahaha, seriously?" Rosalie laughed along. "She probably broke out in a rash after wearing it for two days, right?"

"Of course! Later, I saw her wrist covered in red bumps, and she still refused to take it off!"

Clang!

The spatula in my hand slammed hard against the edge of the wok, ringing out sharply.

In that instant, scenes from last New Year's flashed through my mind.

That day, after my mother had seen Diana and Drake off, I accidentally noticed her discreetly applying some cream.

When I rushed over to ask what was wrong, she quickly hid her hand behind her back and smiled at me. "It’s nothing, just a bit of an allergy. It’s a gift from your mother-in-law. I should take good care of it."

So she had known all along that it was fake.

Rage surged through my chest like molten lava, burning through my insides.