Kenneth nearly dragged Tiffany away several times. She was his fiancée, after all, and he couldn't bear the thought of other men coveting her. However, he dared not. He knew Tiffany desperately wanted to end their relationship, to sever all contact. Even though he'd brought a female companion to the banquet—a blatant public disrespect—Kenneth still harbored some expectation. He wanted to see if Tiffany would show sadness or jealousy. Instead, she completely ignored him. Even when their eyes met, she remained indifferent and calm; to her, he was just another stranger.
A guest approached to chat, allowing Kenneth to shift his gaze and mask the turmoil in his eyes. A flawless smile graced his handsome face as he engaged in polite conversation.
The birthday banquet had been peaceful from the start. Guests raised glasses and toasted one another. Charlie mingled with the crowd. Tiffany sat in a corner, eating dessert to alleviate her boredom. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. Four heiresses loomed, their condescending gazes radiating power. Leading the group was Kenneth's sister, Alexia Harper, followed by True Howell, Kenneth's childhood friend. Their innocent childhood friendship had ended abruptly when Tiffany emerged as Kenneth's fiancée.
Noticing their aggressive approach, Tiffany confidently raised her head and smiled. "What's the matter?" Her carefree demeanor, combined with her striking beauty, only intensified when she smiled, making the girls envious.
True sneered. "How pathetic! You went to such lengths to become Kenneth's fiancée, only for him to bring another woman to this banquet. Aren't you embarrassed?"
The other girls echoed her sentiment. They chattered for a long time, but Tiffany remained unfazed, her calm composure making them appear foolish. Alexia, still seething over a past slap Tiffany had delivered in the Harper family's backyard, had brought her friends to bully her. Their initial aggression waned, replaced by Alexia's escalating anger and vitriol.
"I advise you to give up," Alexia spat. "Who do you think you are, using my brother to climb the social ladder? My brother doesn't fancy trashy women like you!"
Her words, unbecoming of a Harper, delighted True, who wished for Tiffany's humiliation. But Tiffany, instead of being exasperated, nodded sincerely. "Indeed, you're right. A person like me can only win with beauty and superior intelligence. Otherwise, what use am I?"
The girls were speechless. A stunned silence fell, broken only by whispered speculation: was it a disguised compliment, a blatant rebuke, or both?
True, accustomed to arrogance, lost her composure and lunged forward. In the past, Tiffany would have cowered and cried, unable to defend herself. But this time was different. "Why would I stay quiet? I was afraid Kenneth would blame me, so I endured it," Tiffany reflected.
As True raised her hand to strike, the girls gleefully anticipated the slap. But True tripped, her high heels twisting, and she landed face-first into Tiffany's half-eaten cake.
Tiffany politely laughed. "It's not even New Year's yet, and you're already giving me such a generous gift? Stand up."
True, enraged, accused Tiffany of tripping her deliberately. Tiffany admitted to kicking her. This outburst drew the attention of surrounding guests, who observed the scene with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. Humiliated, True fled to the bathroom.
Tiffany, still calm, simply asked, "Who's next?" Each subsequent attempt to intimidate her ended in failure.
Alexia, sneering, offered Tiffany a chance to save face by kneeling and begging forgiveness. Otherwise, she threatened to ruin Tiffany's reputation. Tiffany replied with a mocking smile, "Up to you."
Alexia, malicious despite her youth, ordered her plan into action. A shower of colorful paper rained down from above: love letters Tiffany had written to Kenneth during a period of youthful infatuation.
Alexia, seizing a letter, read it aloud sarcastically, highlighting Tiffany's seemingly naive affection. Her laughter turned cruel as she mocked Tiffany's efforts to please Kenneth.
Before Tiffany could respond, a commotion at the entrance announced the arrival of a strikingly handsome man with an imposing presence. A guest whispered, "Richard is here!"