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

girls pursued STEM fields meant it was somewhat

kind of compliment was

they were oblivious to the backhanded nature of the

other ladies exchanged knowing looks, their

saw the derision in

dress looks like it's from a Celine collection three years ago, right? Totally out of style. Where did she

for this occasion? It's

goes to show, like

think they were

Sherwood family's son getting a college girl pregnant was all over the social

Beverley had the nerve to bring her out in the

but a feeble attempt

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

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

glitz for the first time, was

is quite the

it isn't Mrs. Reynolds?" Beverley said, making her way to Silver's side and taking a seat

about the

thought, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend,' and attempted to charm her: "Oh, your silk

suits you