Hannah returned to the living room. The lights were on, and the dance had concluded, the party resuming its social flow. Miguel and Michelle were toasting their guests; the atmosphere was lively.

Hannah scanned the room, spotting Susan. She approached her; Susan was intimately holding Henry's arm, their laughter and conversation painting a picture of a loving couple.

"Hannah, where were you?" Susan asked, her tone a mild complaint. Initially, Susan had intended to praise Hannah for abandoning her understated style. She'd previously urged Hannah to let Michelle's beauty shine, a suggestion both women had initially ignored. But Michelle, captivating everyone, had proven Susan right. Many wealthy women, Susan imagined, would envy her.

"I went to the bathroom," Hannah lied.

"I see," Susan replied, her skepticism absent. Then, something caught her eye. "What happened to your ear?"

"What?" Hannah asked, anxiety rising.

"This one," Susan indicated Hannah's left ear, the one Oscar had recently bitten. "Did you get…molested? Your ear is so red. Are you blushing?"

Hannah felt a blush creep onto her cheeks. Can't Susan keep her mouth shut, or at least be more tactful? she thought.

Henry, finding the situation amusing, interjected, "That's quite colorful language, Susan. Why didn't you use words like that in your school essays?"

Susan's poor essay grades, despite her extensive vocabulary, had always surprised her tutor. In fact, her homework was consistently subpar.

"Do you think I'd be with you if my essays were good?" Susan retorted playfully.

Susan and Henry had been together since high school, their relationship beginning in a school tutoring program. Henry, a top student, tutored younger students, including Susan, who struggled academically. Their unlikely pairing became a school legend.

Hannah had always admired Susan's courage, her willingness to love and hate fiercely, committing to her relationships regardless of societal expectations. Edward, initially disapproving of their relationship due to Susan's age and Henry's humble background—he was an orphan, attending an elite school solely on merit—had only relented after Susan threatened suicide. Edward, deeply loving his daughter, and perhaps burdened by guilt over her mother's death, couldn't refuse her.

Fortunately, Henry's diligence and ambition led him to the University of Finance in Northfield and subsequently, a position at Phillips Bank, becoming Edward's right-hand man.

Hannah observed Henry, her thoughts concealed. Had she not been reborn, she wouldn't know the cruel intentions behind his initial courtship of Susan.

"Susan," Hannah interrupted their conversation. Susan turned. "Come with me."

"Sure," Susan said, releasing Henry's arm. "Are you alright alone?"

Susan, despite her seemingly carefree nature, cared deeply for Henry, aware of his potential insecurities. She often looked after him at social events.

"I'm fine," Henry said. "I saw someone I know. I'll go chat with them."

"Sure," Susan smiled.

Hannah took Susan's hand and pulled her away.

"What's going on? What's the rush?" Susan asked, curious.

"You didn't forget what I told you, right?" Hannah asked.

"Ten o'clock. I remember," Susan said. "I never forget anything you tell me."

Hannah laughed. "Good girl. I'm rewarding you."

"Don't scare me, Hannah," Susan replied, appraising her friend. Something felt different about Hannah.

Hannah didn't wait for Susan's response, purposefully leading her past Charles.

"Hannah," Charles stopped them.

Hannah smiled subtly. "Charles, it's my mother's birthday. I'm a bit overwhelmed. So sorry I don't have time to chat."

Susan rolled her eyes. When did my best friend learn to act? She's canceling her wedding in a month and pretending she still loves Charles? Susan found Oscar handsome, but Charles appealing too. What's going through Hannah's mind? she wondered.

"It's a wonderful party," Charles complimented, sincerity apparent. "Michelle looks stunning."

Hannah inwardly sneered. He's still faking it!

She saw Loretta, her anger and jealousy barely concealed—Loretta had clearly intended to embarrass Michelle, but Michelle had triumphed. The wealthy wives who once scorned Michelle had been humbled.

"You're not busy, are you? Shall we go see my parents? Martina's here too. She wants to apologize to you, in person," Charles added, sensing Hannah's lack of enthusiasm and quickly mentioning his family.

Hannah glanced toward a distant group—members of the four wealthiest families. Smiling, she agreed, "Sure."

Following Charles, with Susan in tow, the three observed the decorum expected of their families.

Suddenly, Miguel announced, "Michelle, just before you came down, Loretta said she has a present for you."

Michelle smiled at Loretta, who returned a strained smile. Loretta's "present" had been a calculated display of elegance, intended to humiliate Michelle through comparison. But Michelle's dazzling appearance had rendered that plan useless. Still, she couldn't retract her offer. She produced a simple bracelet from her purse, hardly an extravagant gift. "I saw this earlier. I thought it might suit you. Would you like to try it on?"

Loretta fastened the bracelet. It wasn't attractive, but Michelle graciously accepted it. "It's beautiful. I like it."

"I knew you would," Loretta said, inwardly sneering at Michelle's perceived lack of fashion sense. She wondered about Michelle's gown—stunning, yet unfamiliar. She hadn't seen it among the designer collections she'd viewed the previous day, and was determined to uncover its source.