Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Nola had long grown accustomed to the way people talked in these gatherings, never taking comments personally. With a smile that could disarm even the most cynical, she said, "Being idle at home all day, might as well kill some time with a little party. With the whole tea

culture craze going on, I thought why not have a tea-themed gathering?"

"Dear Silver, you rarely join these kinds of get-togethers. Your presence today is quite the honor. Please, come inside—"

Nola's words were as sweet as honey, her sincerity making it hard even for Silver, who usually didn't see eye to eye with her, to find fault.

Shortly after, Beverley arrived with Millie in tow.

A new face always sparked curiosity among the ladies-

"Beverley, who's this?"

"Where did this young lady come from? She looks so fresh-faced!"

Beverley, having prepared her introduction in advance, cheerfully said, "This is a friend's daughter, Millie. She's studying at Grandstone Institute."

Millie promptly greeted everyone with a warm smile.

"Ah, still a student? No wonder she looks so young and radiant."

"Indeed, and a student at Grandstone Institute, no less. It's not easy for girls to get into Grandstone these days, you know."

Grandstone Institute, known for its science and engineering programs, typically attracted more male than female

girls pursued STEM fields meant it was

kind of compliment

and Millie, they were oblivious to the backhanded nature of the

looks, their faces smiling

the derision in

it's from a Celine collection three years ago, right? Totally

for this occasion? It's both plain and

goes to show,

they think they were fooling

a

Beverley had the nerve to bring her out in the open, calling her a "friend's

a feeble attempt

see how Beverley would play it out. After all, this was prime gossip material, too good not to share! They could hardly wait

audience's anticipation of a spectacle, Beverley mistakenly thought everyone was genuinely complimenting

experiencing this world of glitz for

is quite the

making her way to Silver's side and

the discord within

family, Beverley thought, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend,' and attempted to charm her:

The color suits you