Isabella, arm linked with her daughter's, strolled toward the counter, chatting and laughing. "We've been shopping all day—haven't we done enough? I'm exhausted."
"Not even close, Mom! Look at that bag in the window—I've wanted it forever. I'm definitely missing that one, hehe!" Lara grinned cheekily.
"You're missing a bag? Your room's already bursting with stuff—and you're still the most 'lacking' person I know," Isabella teased, shaking her head with a helpless smile.
"Mom, you get me! I'm always missing this and missing that!" Lara swung her mother's arm playfully.
"Alright, alright. You're not just missing a bag—you're missing a whole outfit, and most importantly, a pair of shoes. Did I nail it?" her mother said, poking fun.
"Yesss, Mom, you're the best! Let's head to the G store first." Lara tugged her mother toward the Gucci boutique.
Sophie, who had been heading the same way, spotted them and immediately pivoted. She knew she had no real reason to avoid them—this was a public space, after all—but she also knew places like this were playgrounds for the rich.
A poor girl like her browsing luxury boutiques? Running into "rich people" here would only make her a joke.
"Mom, look—that's Sophie, the classmate I told you about. Hmph." Lara yanked her mother's sleeve.
"What classmate? All the 'classmates' you mention are so tacky—not a single one I approve of. You treat them like treasures," Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Come on, what's there to see? Don't you have to line up?"
"No, that's the one—the university classmate who's after Ned." Lara's eyes dripped with disdain. "We can queue later. Mom, look—that's her back." She pointed at the slender figure ahead.
"Oh, the one who messed with Archibald and is now trying to seduce Ned?"
"Yup, that's her. I'm going to see what she's even doing here." With that, Lara started to follow.
"Don't stare. Girls like her are vain and shallow. Didn't you say she's always working odd jobs to scrape by? How could she possibly afford to shop here?" Isabella scoffed. "You must have the wrong person."
Lara hesitated at her mother's words. "True… she was always so stingy at cafés—either skipping dessert or ordering the cheapest thing." Though convinced, a flicker of doubt lingered.
"Exactly! Even if she is wandering around the department store, so what? They're open for business—anyone can come. Haven't you already cut ties with her? Girls like that—vain and grasping—are best avoided entirely." Isabella's tone dripped with disdain.
"But I'm curious!" Lara pouted, unwilling to let it go.
"Curious about what?"
"Of course I'm curious! You just said someone like her couldn't possibly afford this place. So what's she doing browsing a high-end department store? I saw her lining up at the K store earlier."
Isabella shook her head. "Enough. Stop wondering. Let's queue at G first—I bet you've forgotten you're here for a bag."
"Oh right, my bag!" Lara's eyes widened. "I almost forgot! Quick, Mom, the line at G is short—let's go!"
"Relax, it's not going anywhere," Isabella laughed wryly, letting her daughter drag her along.
"I can't wait to have it!"
"You… what am I going to do with you?"
"Mom, you should praise me! I dress well, I've got that heiress vibe—never embarrassing you!"
The mother and daughter laughed as they stepped into the luxury boutique.
Sophie had heard every word. Head bowed, her steps heavy, she walked out of the department store.
"You're just an ordinary person—why try to act like the rich and buy luxury goods? No matter how you change, you'll always be ordinary. Ordinary people should stick to buying ordinary things." Sophie stood at the entrance of the department store, muttering to herself. But…
But why on earth had she agreed to Ned's invitation?
She sat on a bench in the street outside the store, her face blank.
"If I just show up casually at Ned's birthday banquet, everyone will look down on me, won't they?" A wave of bitterness surged in her heart. She blinked hard, refusing to let the tears spill.
Even just now, facing away while enduring Lara and her mother's mockery, she had felt like a thousand needles piercing her back. If, on the actual day of the banquet, she were ridiculed to her face by everyone, could she really just turn and walk away? Could she truly not care at all?
Sophie Davies, haven't you always lived by "admiring your own fragrance," curled up in your own little world? Why are you so easily tempted this time…
For someone like Lara, designer clothes and handbags were everyday things. What right did she have to even dream of them?
"Sophie, you're so stupid. You're a complete fool." She whispered to herself.
Having eaten nothing all day, Sophie felt on the verge of collapse. All her forced toughness suddenly seemed worthless. She dragged herself to her feet and, leaning against the wall for support, made her way along the side of the department store. She had to cross two blocks to reach the alley where she could grab something cheap to eat and regain her strength.
In life, she had to be strong. Her mother was sick and needed care. She had school, work… one day of wallowing was enough.
The next day after class, she arrived at C&C. Knocking before entering Ned's office, she asked apologetically, "If I can't attend your birthday banquet, will you be angry?"
Ned froze at her sudden question, then met her eyes with understanding. "I won't be angry, but I'll be disappointed."
Sophie dropped her gaze, avoiding his.
"Give me a reason why you can't come. I need a reason."
"Suppose… suppose I can't." Sophie said timidly.
"Suppose? There has to be a real reason, or you wouldn't need to suppose." He pressed, "Tell me the truth. I know you really want to go."
"I… I realized I'm a fool." She admitted.
Though Ned didn't understand, he stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.