Chapter 2

When I heard what Melinda told me, it felt like I was listening to someone else's story. It didn't stir a thing in me.

I started a new life in Barie with the 50 million dollars from Mrs. Nelson. I chose to study at the top design academy. My days were filled with learning a new language, becoming familiar with a new culture, and balancing a heavy course load.

Everything was a new challenge. But here, I didn't need to appeal to Samuel or a family that suffocated me. Instead, I was surrounded by my pencils, my sketches, and my dreams of the future.

The years flew by in a blur. As a result of my hard work and talent, my jewelry designs began to shine at the major Fashion Week. I won several prestigious international awards.

Soon, I was named the new head designer for Lumina, a jewelry brand. I was assigned to return to Carsinia and spearhead Lumina's business expansion into the Pan-Anlatic region.

…

On my very first day back in Carsinia, I was having lunch at a restaurant right beside the office when I heard a hesitant voice calling out from behind me.

"Irene Stewart? Is that you?"

I turned my head around and saw a vaguely familiar-looking woman. She looked like Celia Young, who used to sit in front of me back in high school. Her eyes widened as she openly looked me over, a mix of astonishment and disbelief.

"Goodness me. It really is you! You've changed so much," Celia declared.

I'd lost the timidness and the forced eagerness to please that I once had in high school. Time and experience had given me composure and an air of confidence.

"It's been a while, Celia."

"It really is you, huh? What a coincidence!" Celia exclaimed excitedly. "We're having a class reunion tonight at the rooftop restaurant right here in this building. Many of our old classmates are coming, including Samuel.

"You have to come, too! I'm sure everyone won't be able to recognize you anymore."

Samuel? His name was a blast from the past. It'd been ages since it popped up in my head.

I wanted to decline, but after a moment's thought, I realized there was no reason to deliberately avoid him.

"I'll be there," I replied.

For the rest of the day, I was fully immersed in work, taking on my new responsibilities at the company. By the time I remembered the class reunion, it was almost time.

Too tired to head back to the hotel and change, I simply went straight up to the restaurant in my casual clothes. When I opened the heavy door, I was greeted by a lively atmosphere. The private dining room was huge, and many people were already seated around the massive table.

I swept my gaze across the room. Almost instantly, my eyes landed on Samuel—the man seated at the head of the table, basking in the limelight.

He now looked significantly more mature than he had back in high school. His features had sharpened and become more defined. He was dressed in an expensive casual suit. He sat at the table in a relaxed manner, always the center of attention.

A pretty young woman sat extremely near him. She was all dolled up and dressed in a flashy manner as well.

It wasn't Anna. It seemed like he'd swapped her out for a new woman, too. After a brief silence, one of the more drunkenly male classmates recognized me first.

"What the hell? Look, Samuel! It's Irene Stewart, the one who used to simp after you. She's here!"

His remark seemed to set off everyone in the room. They all turned to me with looks of shock and mocking glee.

Samuel whipped his head up. When he saw me standing in the doorway, his gaze hardened. The nonchalance on his face was swiftly replaced by shock and a mix of other emotions that were harder to read.

The young woman at his side immediately sensed the peculiarity in his reaction. She gripped his arm tightly before scrutinizing me with hostility.

"Irene Stewart?"

Ignoring the remarks and stares, I walked over to the empty seat next to Celia and calmly poured myself a glass of water.

"Long time no see, Irene!" Janice White, who was quite tackily dressed, was the first to speak to me. "I heard you didn't attend college. It's not surprising. Your family couldn't have afforded it.

"What have you been up to all these years, then? Don't tell me you married some old geezer, like what some of them have been saying. After all, considering how casually dressed you are today…"

She'd deliberately emphasized the part about me marrying an old man, drawing snickers from a few of the other young women around the table.

"I spent a few years abroad and just returned to the country," I responded evenly.

I didn't feel inclined to say much else.

"Oh. You went abroad, huh?" Greg Lewis piped up with an exaggerated tone of pity. "It must be hard for those returning from abroad to find jobs now, huh?

"Back over there, you might've been able to engage in all sorts of shady jobs, but they're all illegal back here. Have you found a job yet? Since we're old classmates, why don't I help you get one?"