The laughter around Jessica and Brandon was still bubbling—sharp, mocking, cruel—when the emcee’s voice suddenly boomed through the speakers, slicing through the noise like a clean blade.“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome once again to Lady Rica’s grand birthday celebration! The event will officially begin now, and we have a full lineup for the evening—performances, presentations, and of course, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the gift ceremony!”The shift in the room was instant. The lights brightened across the hall, washing the tables in a warm, golden glow as the music transitioned from soft ambience to a lively, upbeat melody. Claps rippled through the audience. Jessica let out a shaky breath. For a moment, she prayed the change in atmosphere would redirect everyone’s attention away from Brandon…and the humiliation that had just taken place. She turned to him with a small, apologetic smile, her cheeks still burning.But Brandon who was calm, steady, utterly unbothered, m

Jessica didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until she reached the front of the hall. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor.The gift table gleamed under the chandelier lights. Every present already placed there was wrapped with an almost competitive level of opulence.She exhaled carefully and set her gift box down with both hands, treating it like something sacred. The wrapping alone was a masterpiece—golden foil folded perfectly at each corner and an ivory ribbon tied so smoothly it looked carved rather than arranged. A tiny gemstone glimmered where the knot met the bow. Several guests leaned in subtly, admiring it even before they knew what was inside.She had spent weeks preparing this. Weeks agonizing, searching, comparing, and choosing. Inside the box were items she knew her mother would want—luxury pieces: a limited-edition diamond-studded wristwatch, crystal earrings crafted in a design only fifty people in the world owned, and an emerald necklace he

Jessica, however, could no longer tolerate her mother’s behavior. Her heart thudded with a mixture of anger, disbelief, and humiliation. She stood up sharply, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor like gunshots. The sound snapped through the murmurs of the crowd, drawing every eye toward her as she stepped in front of Brandon protectively. “Mom! Stop this!” Jessica’s voice rang through the hall. “You are treating him completely unfairly! Even if you think his frame was cheap, that’s no reason to humiliate him in front of everyone!” Several guests gasped quietly, shocked that Jessica would dare raise her voice against Rica—especially in public. Rica turned slowly, like a queen interrupted, her piercing gaze landing on Jessica with an expression full of disbelief and outrage. Her eyebrows arched so sharply it seemed they could cut through stone. “Jessica,” Rica said, her voice cold, clipped, and sharp. “I am the host of this party. I decide who is a

Disbelief hung thick and heavy in the air.Even though Clara had spoken clearly—explaining the clarity of the stones, the precision of the craftsmanship, the unmistakable signature hidden inside the clasp that only a handful of high-end designers in the world used—people still exchanged uncertain looks. They weren’t ready to accept that the jewelry Rica had tossed onto the floor in contempt was worth an unimaginable fortune.That kind of truth was too big, too shocking, and too outrageous for the guests to swallow all at once.Their skepticism lingered, clinging stubbornly to their expressions.But then, a man seated near the middle of the hall slowly rose from his chair.He did not rush. He stood with deliberate calm, adjusting the sharp line of his blazer, and only then clearing his throat. Heads turned toward him and even the music drifting from the speakers seemed to soften, as if giving him space to speak.He raised a hand and gestured politely toward Clara.“Everyone,” he ann

“...Not everyone can afford this kind of expensive luxury,” Lila sneered.The statement dropped like a stone into water.A few heads subtly turned, some pretending not to have heard, others leaning in with barely concealed interest. Jessica stiffened instantly. Her fingers curled around her napkin as heat rushed up her neck in a tidal wave that burned through her restraint.Jessica turned sharply in her seat, eyes blazing with a fury even she rarely allowed to surface. Lila, who always thrived on the attention of their wealthy relatives, met her gaze with a smug smirk, clearly believing she had said something clever.“Lila, I wouldn’t tolerate another insult. Don’t you dare talk to Brandon like that.”A hush fell over the immediate group. Conversations at other tables quieted, as if people sensed the shift in atmosphere. Even Rica paused mid-sentence with a distant cousin, turning slightly as if expecting more drama.Lila’s smirk only widened. She leaned back in her chair, crossing