“Right? She’s not even in the same league as us. Zac was just messing around. Now that Wendy’s back, it’s time for Charlotte to pack up and leave.”

Charlotte felt nothing.

bShe /bknew exactly why Wendy had sent that video–part of it was bto /bstake her bim/b, the other part was to humiliate her, to rub reality in her face, and push her to leave Zac.

And Wendy fully expected it to work

She probably imagined Charlotte crying her eyes out, heartbroken, humiliated, and finally dumping Zac before packing her bags and running

bback /bhome.

But what she never could have imagined was that none of it got to Charlotte.

Zac, still slurring sweet nothings to Wendy in the video, only bmade /bher sick.

Disgusted, she exited the chat without watching further.

Her fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before she typed out a message.

“You’re right. We’re not in the same league.”

Wendy saw the message and smirked, bquickly /breplying–but using bZac’s /bphone.

“At least you have some self–awareness

Seeing the response, Charlotte let out a quiet scoff.

Gibson Corporation’s so–called ‘empire‘ wasn’t even on the same level as a single subsidiary under her family’s name.

The profits Gibson bbragged /babout every yearb? /bThat barelypared to what her father casually threw into a side project.

The Riley family had been in business bfor /bfour generations, growing into one of the top ten wealthiest familles in the country.

Compared to them, Zac was just another rich kid with nothing but hisst name to his credit.

And the irony? Not a single one of them had a clue,

None of those people bhad /bbever /brealized that the “bRiley/b” in Charlotte Riley was the same “Riley“” as Desmond Riley.

The little exchange did nothing to ruin her mood.

With the whole day freeb, /bshe stayed in and rxed, scrolling through designer websites, picking out her engagement dress.

After going through dozens of options, she finally narrowed it down to three but now she was stuck.

Option 1:

A champagne–colored modem gown. Light pink embroidery intertwined with delicate crystal embellishments, band /bacross the shoulders, three strands of tiny pearls bdraped /belegantly bfrom /bthe neckline to the back. bThe /bentire gown sparkled with a sweet, youthful charm.

Option 2b: /b

A soft moon–white strapless gown. The bodico featured a bdelicate /bring of sculpted rosesb, /bcinching at the waist and hugging the curves before Dlowing into a floor–length mermaid silhouette. It was mature, elegant, and brefined/b.

Option 3:

Acreamy off–white, off–shoulder princess bgown/b. A sheeryer of delicate tulle oveyed the dress, scattered with tiny crimson rose petals. The design was romantic and etherealb. /b

Still undecidedb, /bshe screenshotted ball /bthree and posted them on her Instagram:

bStory /bwith the text:

“Can’t choose between these three! Help me decideb!/bb” /b

Within minutes, the likes andments started rolling in.

Sean: “They’re all beautiful. If you li

like them, just get them all

Her childhood best friend, Lena Zeller,mented as well:

“Wow, Lottle, byour /btaste is Impable! All three would look amazing on you. Just have

bHer /bother best friend, Mia Carter, added:

“Buy, buy, buy! Our princess bLottle /bblooks /bstunning in everything!”

Her assistant, Sophie, was quick toment as well

“Whoa, whoa, whoa–hold up. What’s this for? Are you getting married or something?!”

buy them all. He won’t e

even blink at the price.”

Charlotte scrolled through the flood of likes,pliments, and excited congrattions, but a fewments stood out.

Quinn:

Eugene: “Charlotte, what exactly is this?”

Ethan: “No way, you actually posted this? This is cracking me up!”

Coworker A: “These are all designer pieces. Before showing off, maybe check the price tag first. Forget buying, you couldn’t even afford to rent

Conworker B: “Danti, must be nice. Your life is my dream.”

And then, the most amusing one of all—

bZac/b:

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. Looks like Zac finally sobered up.

Right on cue, her phone buzzed with a message from him.

“Delete that post.”

Charlotte: “No.”

“So this is your grand n? A public stunt to force my hand? Did you not hear anything bI /bbsaid /bto byou /bbefore?”

Charlotte: “Oh.”

“Charlotte Riley, enough already”

She didn’t bother responding