Chapter 128

That afternoon at the Nicholsons'.

"Dahlia, are you going to Miss Hummer's birthday party this evening? Can you bring me along?" James asked excitedly, seeing the invitation on the table. She was, after all, the daughter of Edwin Hummer, the richest man in the country. Making acquaintances with someone like her would be beneficial.

"I will be attending, but the invitation is limited to two people. Julie has already claimed it," Dahlia dampened James's enthusiasm.

"Her?" Displeased, James turned to Julie, who was applying makeup on the couch. "Dahlia, I'm your brother! How could you bring her and not me?" he grumbled.

Julie glared at him and said condescendingly, "And what could you do there? Everyone attending tonight will be people of status and elite. Wouldn't a high school dropout like you just embarrass yourself?"

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Do you think you're all that great?" James was irked.

"Better than you, at least," Julie retorted.

"You!"

James was about to explode when Florence intervened. "That's enough. Julie's our guest; you should be nice. I think it'd be a good opportunity for her to make connections since she just graduated college. Let her go with Dahlia."

"Do you hear that? If I befriend Miss Hummer, I'll be on the highway to success! When the time comes, I'll make sure you benefit too!" Julie declared, head held high.

"Hah! You? I'd be better off relying on myself!" James plopped onto the couch, indignant. Ever since Julie arrived, all the attention had shifted to her, leaving him feeling out of favor.

"Ah, right, Dahlia, I almost forgot." Florence rummaged in her bag, producing an intricate jewelry box. "This is a present Matt gave you two days ago. Since you're attending the party, you can put this to good use. Have a look."

She opened the box, revealing a pair of ruby earrings. They were exquisite and delicate, dazzling under the light.

"Wow! It's spectacular!" Julie's eyes lit up as she scrambled to get a closer look. "Aunt Florence, such gorgeous earrings must cost a fortune, won't they?"

"I heard Matt mention they're Pandarum earrings, custom-made. This is the only pair in all of Swinton. They cost millions," Florence announced proudly.

"Is that so? As expected, only the best from Matt!" Julie beamed, putting on one earring. "Aunt Florence, how does it look on me?"

"You're a born beauty, Julie. Of course, it looks magnificent," Florence replied.

Julie brazenly put on the other earring, clearly intending to keep them. This shocked Florence. "Julie, this is your cousin's gift from Matt. It wouldn't be right for you to wear them tonight," Florence said awkwardly.

"What's wrong with me wearing them? I'm just borrowing them for the night; it's not like I won't give them back," Julie snapped.

"But—" Florence started, but Julie cut her off. "Aunt Florence, we're relatives. You can't be so petty, can you?"

"Julie Amberson! These are my sister's earrings! What right do you have to wear them?" James finally exploded. She said she was borrowing them, but she never returned borrowed items! This was blatant theft!

"Hey! Why are you shouting at me? It's just a pair of earrings! Aren't you being selfish?" Julie slammed her hand on the table.

"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 started to leave.

But Florence pulled her 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!" Florence glared at James. "You're her older cousin! Why do you keep picking fights with her? Can't you be more generous?"

"Fine! Keep siding with her then. See if I care!" James stormed out, slamming the door.

Dahlia frowned. It wasn't the earrings she was concerned about, but Julie's domineering attitude.

"Dahlia, you don't mind me wearing your earrings, do you?" Julie smiled, touching the earrings gently.

"It's up to you," Dahlia replied, uninterested in further conversation. She wasn't comfortable with Matt's gift to begin with.

"Hehe! Thank you, Dahlia," Julie beamed, resuming her makeup.

That evening at the Kingdom Hotel, a black Mercedes-Benz pulled up. Dahlia and Julie stepped out. Dahlia wore a simple black dress and heels; Julie, on the other hand, was decked out in jewelry, looking like a peacock. She even wore her hair up in a chignon to highlight the million-dollar earrings. She clearly craved the limelight.

"Wow! What a stunning lady! She looks like a celebrity!" "I think she looks even more attractive than any celebrity out there! Her looks and elegance are otherworldly!"

As they exited the car, many guests turned to look, but most of the attention was on Dahlia. Despite Julie's showy appearance, she received little attention. Dahlia was clearly superior in every aspect, from looks to figure. Julie's extravagant outfit couldn't compensate for her shortcomings.

"Hmph!" Julie was displeased. She had expected to impress everyone with her beauty, never anticipating Dahlia would steal the spotlight. "These men are so blind! How could a woman who's been married before compare to me?" she thought.

(End of excerpt)