Gloria, you invited Mrs. Chavez, didn't you? Righton's voice was irritating; her tone was sarcastic.
Gloria immediately denied it. "Oh, come on! What are you saying? I've barely seen Mrs. Chavez recently. Her status is far above mine. I'm just passing on a message."
Eleanore, whose husband was a deputy minister at Betrico's Ministry of Finance, sat beside Gloria. Eleanore usually disliked Aurora, who seemed ageless despite being the same age. She'd once questioned Aurora's skincare routine, only to be told it was a positive attitude and regular spa visits—a claim Eleanore found unbelievable. Despite their frequent spa visits, none achieved Aurora's results, fueling Eleanore's suspicion of a secret, and her belief that Aurora was petty.
Most women present were upper-class Betrico wives, but none held the Chavez family's prestige. Even Jeremiah's accomplishments surpassed those of their children, a disparity that fostered unease and gossiping. They ostracized anyone who befriended Aurora.
Eleanore intervened. "We all know Aurora's temper, and Gloria's personality—they couldn't be close. Don't make baseless assumptions." Several women nodded; Gloria's shyness made close friendship with Aurora improbable. Eleanore's defense stemmed from a limited-edition necklace Gloria had gifted her.
Eleanore continued, "I bet Aurora won't show up. We've invited her ten times, and she's only come once. With her status, she probably thinks she's too good for us."
The women chattered noisily. Lucy, sipping her bland coffee, found the perfectly nice café overrun by the cacophony. She regretted her choice of venue; the noisy atmosphere threatened her meeting with Yvette. She mused that if Aurora were present, the gossip would cease.
Yvette, maintaining a neutral expression, calmly sipped her milkshake, listening intently. A sly smile played on her lips as she finished her drink, radiating a dangerous aura.
The women returned to discussing the Chavez family, focusing on Jeremiah's girlfriend from Seacrity. "Do you think Clifford would approve of Jeremiah dating someone with such a modest background?"
Two women, taking exaggerated sips of coffee, whispered, "I don't think so. He's probably just playing around, and he'll break up with her when he's tired of her."
"That's not right. Mr. Jeremiah Chavez doesn't seem like the type for casual affairs. Clifford is devoted, and Jeremiah seems the same." The speaker faced disapproval from the others.
Eleanore sneered. "Oh, come on. You can't compare father and son. Times have changed. Men having multiple female friends is common now." Their husbands' behavior was overlooked; they were accustomed to it.
A woman with a bun nodded. "Yeah. Do you think everyone's as fortunate as Aurora, meeting someone like Clifford? I suspect Jeremiah's just attracted to her looks. The novelty will fade. For someone truly suitable, it's definitely Samantha, the Mitchell heiress."
Jealousy permeated their words. The mention of Samantha silenced them briefly.
Lucy, stirring her coffee, found the gossip mildly entertaining. Yvette, having finished three milkshakes, neatly arranged the cups. Upon hearing Samantha's name, her brow twitched slightly, her pupils darkening. Her voice remained calm. "Samantha?"
Lucy, surprised by Yvette's interest, explained, "Samantha is formidable. She started in business at sixteen, with a strong family background. Her father is a deputy military commander, and her grandfather's influence remains significant. She's challenging but brilliant. The Mitchells and Chavezes are well-matched. Samantha and Jeremiah? A solid political alliance."
Yvette's gaze deepened. "Well-matched?"
Lucy nodded. "Yes, a good match."
A woman in the next booth remarked, "Aurora acts high and mighty, but now Jeremiah's dating someone from a small town. Isn't that funny? I bet she'd be furious!"
A loud bang shook the café. Yvette calmly stood and left, Lucy following. The door to the next booth lay shattered.
Inside, the women stood frozen. Aurora, simply dressed in a white shirt, blue jeans, and high heels, stood in the doorway. She'd been there fifteen minutes, delayed by traffic. She usually avoided these women, finding their fawning uncomfortable. This outing was impulsive, and it revealed their hypocrisy.
The women were silent, too intimidated to speak. Gloria, attempting a shaky smile, asked, "When did you arrive, Mrs. Chavez? Why didn't you come in?"
The others perked up; if Aurora had just arrived, they might have a reprieve. Towering in her heels, Aurora seemed to belong to a different era. She placed her handbag on the table, sat, and surveyed their awkward expressions. Her eyes were icy. "Who are you to meddle in my son's affairs?"