Chapter 4

Benedict was fuming. He stepped forward to reason with Betarice, but I held him back.

Beatrice noticed this and sneered. "That's more like it. It's time you learn your place. You and I? We're not even on the same level anymore. The next time you see me, remember to close your eyes. Who knows if you'd get jealous and attack me?"

A few guests around her cheered and fawned over her.

"Beatrice, I knew from our school days that you were destined for greatness. Look at you now! I was right!"

Jane Miller looped her arm through Beatrice's, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I've always disliked Lucy. If I hadn't heard you were coming, I wouldn't even have bothered attending this stupid wedding!"

Ironically, even Aunt Sylvia joined in the praise, mingling with the crowd. "Beatrice, remember me? I didn't let you play with Lucy back then because I knew she'd ruin your good fortune. I knew she wouldn't amount to anything!"

Surrounded by the people fawning over her, Beatrice was helped inside.

Once the crowd finally dispersed, Benedict turned to me, baffled and furious. "What's gotten into her? Did something happen?"

I sighed and tried to organize my thoughts before explaining everything to him. His face was full of disbelief, but he believed me.

I gently patted his shoulder. "Let's just get married quietly on our trip. We don't need any of them anyway."

He cupped my face, his eyes full of affection. "Whatever you say, dear."

Staying in my wedding gown on the way home was uncomfortable, but at least I saw everyone's true colors today.

Before we even got home, my phone kept buzzing. Former classmates were sending me photo after photo, all boasting.

"Thanks to Beatrice, we get to enjoy this premium seafood buffet."

"Actually, thank you, Lucy, for setting this up. Without you, we wouldn't have eaten so much seafood today!"

I calmly switched off my phone. Deep inside, I knew, for a fact, that Beatrice was spending money she didn't have.

That afternoon, she dragged everyone to a jewelry store and splurged on all sorts of luxury items. With so many people in tow, there was no way she could've spent less than a million.

Clearly, she was convinced that she would win the 50-million-dollar prize. What she failed to realize, though, was that I had another lottery ticket in my pocket.

As the draw time drew closer, I couldn't help but look forward to seeing her reaction when she realized she hadn't won.

Just as I was wondering where she had gotten all that money, a friend who worked at a real estate agency reached out to me.

"Hey, isn't this your bestie's house? It's going for less than half the market price! Did she make a fortune or something?"

I laughed dryly. "Maybe."

It turned out Beatrice had sold her car and house just to keep up appearances in front of our former classmates. Everything at her disposal had been turned into cash, then handed out to others as if she were running a charity.

Late into the night, I was packing my things for my honeymoon when Beatrice called. Judging from her cocky voice, I knew she hadn't learned of what happened just yet.

"Guess where I'm staying right now? The luxury presidential suite. Ever stayed in one of those in your life?" she asked sarcastically.

"I'll have you know, Lucy, that after tonight, you and I will be worlds apart. By tomorrow, I'll be a millionaire! I'll have 50 million in the bank, something you'll never see in your lifetime!"

Her voice grated on my nerves, and I simply hung up at the next second.

The next morning, Benedict and I made sure to leave early.

Just as we were about to cross the border, Beatrice's relentless call came again. When I pressed "answer" this time, her furious shouting blasted from the speaker.

"What kind of trick did you pull on me? Where's my money? Where's my 50 million dollars? Why? Why am I still broke?"