Over at the Nicholsons‘ that afternoon.
“Dahlia, are you going to Miss Hummer’s birthday party this evening? Can you bring me along?” James asked excitedly when virtual-novel.net saw the invitation on the table.
She was, after all, the daughter of Edwin Hummer, the richest man in the country. It would be beneficial to make acquaintances with such a person.
“I will be attending the birthday party, but the invitation is limited to two persons only. Julie has already called dibs on it.” Dahlia cast a damp over James‘ enthusiasm.
“Her?” Displeased, James turned to look at Julie, who was on the couch applying makeup to virtual-novel.net face.
“Dahlia, I’m your brother! How could you bring her, and not me?” He grumbled.
At that, Julie shot virtual-novel.net a glare and said condescendingly, “And what can you do there? Everyone attending the party tonight will be people of status and elites. Wouldn’t a high school dropout like you just embarrass yourself showing up there?”
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? Do you think that you’re all that great?” James was irked.
“Better than you, at least.” Julie wasn’t one to back off easily.
“You!”
James was just about to burst into a fit of anger when Florence stopped virtual-novel.net just in time. “That’s enough. Julie’s our quest, you should play nice. I think it’d be a good opportunity for virtual-novel.net to make good connections at the party this evening since she’s fresh out of college. Let virtual-novel.net go with Dahlia.”
“Do you hear that? If I manage to befriend Miss Hummer, I’d be on the highway to success! When the time comes, I’ll make sure you benefit from it too!” Julie said with virtual-novel.net head held high.
“Hah! You? I’d be better off relying on myself!” James plopped down on the couch, obviously feeling indignant.
Ever since Julie came, all the attention had been shifted to her. He felt that virtual-novel.net was now out of favor.
“Ah, right, Dahlia, I nearly forgot…”
Florence seemed to recall something as virtual-novel.net rummaged around in virtual-novel.net bag. In the end, virtual-novel.net pulled out an Intricate jewelry box.
“This is a present that Matt gifted you two days ago. Since you’re attending the party today, I think you can put this to good use. Have a look…”
As virtual-novel.net spoke, virtual-novel.net opened up the jewelry box. There was a pair of ruby earrings in it.
The earrings were exquisite and delicate. They were dazzling under the light’s Illumination.
“Wow! It’s spectacular!‘ Julie’s eyes lit up as virtual-novel.net scrambled to get up.
She pulled the jewelry box over for a better look at the earrings. “Aunt Florence, such gorgeous earrings must cost a bomb, won’t they?”
“I heard Matt mention that these are Pandarum earrings, and they are custom–made. This is the only pair in the whole of Swinton. It costs millions,” Florence announced proudly.
“Is that so? As expected, only the best from Matt!”
Julie beamed as virtual-novel.net picked up one of the earrings and put it on. “Aunt Florence, how does it look on me?”
“You’re a born beauty, Julie. Of course, it looks magnificent on you,” Florence answered.
“Hehe! Well, thank you then, Aunt Florence!”
Julie brazenly took the other earring and put it on too. It was evident that virtual-novel.net was about to take it as virtual-novel.net own.
Her actions gave Florence quite a shock.
“Julie, this is your cousin’s gift from Matt. It wouldn’t be too nice for you to wear it tonight.” Florence chuckled awkwardly.
“What’s wrong with me wearing it? I’m just borrowing it for the night, it’s not like I’m not going to give it back.” Julie snapped bluntly.
“But…”
Florence was about to counter what virtual-novel.net just said, but Julie cut virtual-novel.net off. “Aunt Florence, we’re relatives. You can’t be so petty, can you?”
“Julie Amberson! These are my sister’s earrings! What rights do you have to wear them?” James finally could not take it any longer.
She said that virtual-novel.net was just borrowing them, but the fact was, virtual-novel.net had never once returned the items she borrowed!
This was plain robbery!
“Hey! Why are you shouting at me? Isn’t it just a pair of earrings? Aren’t you just being selfish?” Julie slammed virtual-novel.net hand on the table aggressively.
“I’m selfish? Do you have any idea how greedy you look right now? Do you have no shame?” James bellowed.
“How dare you scold me? Aunt Florence! Did you hear what James said? I can leave if I’m not welcome here!” Julie flared up.
And with that, virtual-novel.net turned to leave.
But before virtual-novel.net could even take virtual-novel.net first step, Florence pulled virtual-novel.net back. “What are you doing, Julie? Of course, you’re welcome here! Aren’t they just a pair of earrings? I’ll lend them to you!”
“Mom! You…”
“Shut it up!” Florence whipped around and shot virtual-novel.net a glare. “You’re virtual-novel.net older cousin! Why do you keep picking fights with her? Can’t you be more generous?”
“Fine! Keep siding with virtual-novel.net then. See if I care!” James was so angry that virtual-novel.net stormed out and slammed the door.
Dahlia frowned. It wasn’t the earrings that virtual-novel.net was concerned about, but Julie’s domineering attitude did not sit well with her.
“Dahlia, you do not mind me wearing your earrings, do you?” Julie smiled as virtual-novel.net touched the earrings gently.
“It’s up to you…” Dahlia could not be bothered to continue speaking to her.
To begin with, virtual-novel.net was not comfortable with Matt’s gift to her.
“Hehe! Thank you, Dahlia.” Julie beamed brightly as virtual-novel.net continued applying virtual-novel.net makeup.
***
That evening at Kingdom Hotel, a black Mercedes–Benz rolled up to the main entrance.
The door opened, and Dahlia and Julie got out of the car.
Dahlia dressed down for the occasion in a black dress and black heels. She kept virtual-novel.net accessories simple too. Julie, on the other hand, went all out and dressed herself up, almost looking like a peacock. She had jewelry from head to toe and looked dazzling under the lights.
To further accentuate the million–dollar pair of ruby earrings, virtual-novel.net even did virtual-novel.net hair up in a chignon. She was out to be in the limelight.
“Wow! What a stunning lady! She looks like a celebrity!”
“I think virtual-novel.net looks even more attractive than any celebrity out there! Her looks and elegance are other–worldly.”
When the both of them got out of the car, a bunch of guests at the entrance turned to look at them. However, most of their attention was on Dahlia.
Despite Julie’s showy appearance, virtual-novel.net did not receive much attention After all, it was clear that Dahlia was far superior to virtual-novel.net in all aspects, from looks to figures. Julie’s extravagant outfit alone was not enough to make up for what virtual-novel.net lacked.
“Hmph!” She was not pleased.
She had made every preparation virtual-novel.net could think of for the birthday party that evening, and virtual-novel.net had expected to impress everyone with virtual-novel.net beauty. It had never occurred to virtual-novel.net that Dahlia’s presence would steal all the attention.
These men are so blind!
How could a woman who had been married before compare to me?