bChapter 432 /b

“You should have told me you wereing. I would’vee down to meet you.”

“It’s fine,” Joyce replied.

“That dress really suits you–you have great taste, you know.” Fortune’spliment was so direct that Joyce was momentarily at a loss for words. Only then did Fortune seem to notice Alessia.

“Oh, Miss Morton! I didn’t expect to see you back. What an honor.” Fortune extended a hand, but Alessia didn’t take it.

She nced at Joyce, who looked uneasy, turning her head slightly to avoid Alessia’s gaze.

“I have to say, I didn’t expect you to be hosting tonight,” Alessia remarked, her toneced with meaning.

Fortune withdrew her hand, showing no hint of embarrassment. “Well, now that you’re here, why not make the most of it? It’d be rude to just leave, don’t you think? We’re all young–whatever happened before, that was my fault. I hope you’ll let it go.”

Just then, a waiter passed by. Fortune snapped her fingers, took a tall ss from the tray, and handed it to Alessia. There’s a saying: no one hits a smiling face. Alessia epted the ss with an ambiguous smile, saying nothing.

“Joyce, I have to thank you. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have had a chance to clear the air with Miss Morton.”

Joyce managed an awkward smile, taking the ss Fortune offered, clearly distracted.

“But I’m really sorry–I know you two are new here, and as the host, I should be looking after you. Something’se up and I need to step out for a bit, but I’ll be back soon. Please, make yourselves at home, all right?”

Fortune gave them an apologetic smile. “Later, drinks are on me–lowe you both. For now, enjoy yourselves. Here, take this chip–if you win, it’s yours. If you lose, I’ll cover it.”

She patted Joyce on the shoulder, offered Alessia another apologetic smile, and slipped away into the crowd.

“Lessie…” Joyce hung her head, clutching her dress like a child caught doing something wrong.

“Come on,” Alessia said quietly. “Didn’t I already tell you? We’re here now, so let’s just go with it.”

With that, Alessia walked off–not into the throng, but toward a quieter corner, choosing a seat away from the noise.

The crowd buzzed withughter and conversation, but Alessia sat apart, as if untouched by the chaos–a lone lily blooming in the shadows, strikingly beautiful yet impossible to approach. She casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear; every small movement drew the eye, her presence quietlymanding the whole room.

It was as if she was born for the spotlight–no matter where she stood, even among her own privileged peers, she was the one everyone

noticed.

Joyce followed.

She knew she’d y second fiddle, be the contrast that made Alessia shine brighter–but so what? Most people here didn’t even deserve that bit part. This was her connection, her chance.

Lifting her chin, Joyce straightened her back, just as Alessia had told her, and sat down beside her without hesitation.

The drinks sat untouched on the table between them. Neither spoke. The silence was so thick, they might as well have been strangers.

At a nearby table, a group kept sneaking nces at them, murmuring among themselves. After some whispered debate, they pushed a young man forward.

10:03

Dressed in understated designer casuals–not that you’d notice if you weren’t in the know–he picked up his drink and strolled over, not bothering to ask if he was wee, aiming to seat himself next to

Alessia.

Alessia shot him a cool nce. He faltered immediately, changed course, and squeezed in next to Joyce instead.

Joyce shifted ufortably, inching closer to Alessia.

“Hey gorgeous, why sit here all quiet? Come join us–we’re having way more fun over there.”

Pity, really. Some people look polished on the outside, but the moment they open their mouths, the ugliness shows through.

b10.03 /b