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."

engineering programs, typically attracted more male than female students, making the competition

fewer girls pursued STEM fields meant it was somewhat less challenging for them

of compliment was

Millie, they were oblivious to the

looks, their faces

the derision in

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

And for this occasion? It's

show, like

think they

the Sherwood family's son getting a college girl

had the nerve to bring her

but a feeble attempt at

not to call her out, preferring to see how Beverley would play it out. After all, this was prime gossip material,

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

world of glitz for the first time,

is quite the

said, making her way to Silver's

about the

my friend,' and

The color suits you so