Imdiately Avery’s voice cut through the soft hum of conversations like a blade. "Since everyone is finally here," she said, her tone sharp and laced with irritation, "I think it’s ti we officially begin."
However Valentina didn’t look up. She and Sha were still smiling, still whispering back and forth like two friends who hadn’t seen each other in years. Their laughter wasn’t loud, but it was real—and that made Avery’s stomach twist even more.
Imdiately She pressed her lips together and forced a smile. "And since so of us haven’t graced this gathering in years, I think it’s only fair that Valentina and Sha cover the cost of today’s beads and refreshnts. It’s tradition after all."
Avery words made a few heads turn. A few people exchanged glances. Sha raised a brow. Valentina didn’t react at all, as if the words hadn’t touched her.
Avery ’s eyes flicked to the military guy sitting at the end of the table, calm and unreadable in his tailored suit. "I know so of you might be thinking, what about Damian?" she added, her voice rising just a bit. "Since this is also his first ti joining us."
Damian’s na settled over the group like a silent command. Everyone went quiet.
At that mont Avery nodded toward him, a little too proudly. "Just to be clear—this VIP room you’re all sitting in? Damian paid for it. He booked the entire space and even helped set everything up."
Then Avery stood tall in the center of the room, her voice carrying as she addressed everyone.
"So, it’s just left for Valentina and Sha to settle the bill today. You know the rules—whoever’s been absent the longest takes care of the beads, the drinks, the food, everything."
At that mont Valentina turned slowly, her face calm, but her thoughts swirled.
She couldn’t believe the direction Avery was heading to, this wasn’t what Avery told her. She said it would be light, just a gathering, not this... public ambush.
Her lips parted as she prepared to speak, but before she could say a word, Liam suddenly rose from his seat.
"I don’t think we’re quite there yet," Liam said with a small smile, eyes scanning the crowd. "Seeing as this is also my first ti attending this get-together, maybe I deserve a little fine too? I don’t mind helping out. Might as well make it fair."
Hearing what He just said Avery’s eyes widened. "Liam, please—"
But Liam didn’t stop. "No, no. It’s fine. I insist."
Avery, caught between her growing embarrassnt and Liam’s unexpected move, gave a stiff smile. "Okay then. No problem. Since you really want to do it, I don’t have any problem with it, You are going to join them. So, that will take a little more ti, since another person has already volunteered to help and all."
Then Valentina leaned back in her chair, fingers loosely laced over her lap. She didn’t say anything. Not because she didn’t want to, but because she had already seen where this was going. It’s not just about her.
her eyes drifting quietly across the room. They’re going after Sha too.
Avery’s voice earlier had carried more than just rules—it carried malice. And it wasn’t lost on Valentina that most of these won had always had an issue with Sha. She was calm, proud, and disciplined. They never liked that. They liked noise, drama, and control. Sha wasn’t any of those things. And worse—she was close to Valentina.
Across from her, Sha folded her arms, eyes lowered for a mont. Her thoughts were already running. She didn’t see this coming.
She inhaled deeply through her nose. ’Well, I already set a budget. I just hope this doesn’t go above what I planned.’
She glanced sideways at Valentina. It was unspoken, but both won knew—they weren’t here to socialize. They were here to be humiliated. Or so Ivory thought.
Avery, still standing, turned just slightly and threw Sha and Valentina a cold look. A stare that said, don’t think this is over. She didn’t need to speak. The ssage was clear.
Not long after, the waiter arrived. Dressed crisply in black and white, he gave a formal nod and stepped forward. A low buzz of conversation rippled across the room as people started calling out their orders.
"Let have the platinum shrimp platter," one of the guys at the far end said smoothly.
"And add the 1990 wine, please," another chid in.
Then it started, One by one, guests leaned forward, selecting the most expensive dishes on the nu like they were picking trophies.
The two n—yes, the ones whose families practically ran this side of the city—didn’t even hesitate. They leaned back casually and started calling for the best of the best.
Even the military guy—known for his stiff posture and quiet confidence—picked the most expensive bottle of aged whisky on the list without flinching. His choice set the tone. From there, one after the other, the rest followed suit like they were all playing a silent ga of one-upmanship.
The waiter’s pen didn’t stop. His brow twitched slightly as he scribbled down item after item—platinum seafood platters, vintage wines, imported steaks, desserts flown in from abroad. Each request was louder, pricier, and more deliberate than the last.
At that mont Sha quietly lowered her eyes to her glass of water.
She couldn’t believe they’re not ordering for taste. They’re ordering to see who cracks first.
Valentina noticed too. She tilted slightly toward Sha and whispered, "They’re trying too hard."
Sha gave a small nod. "Trying to test us."
Just then, Avery stood and clinked her spoon gently against her glass. The sound wasn’t loud, but the ssage it carried cut through the chatter.
Imdiately Conversations stopped. All eyes turned toward her.
She smiled—wide, rehearsed. "You know," she began, her arms spreading in a mock-welcoming gesture, "it’s been such a long ti since many of us saw each other. And clearly, so people are doing very well for themselves."
She chuckled, then added with a sharp undertone, "And so others... well, they’re trying to act like they are."
A few subtle laughs echoed. Not loud, but just enough.
At that mont Valentina’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’There she goes.’
"But let’s not pretend we’re strangers,"
Avery continued. "Let’s introduce ourselves again. You know, refresh the mories."
Imdiately She placed a palm on her chest. "I’ll go first. As most of you already know, I’m Avery, and my family company’s been expanding in the last few years. I’m currently heading one of our largest departnts. And—" she paused, letting her lips curl just a bit, "—we’re on the verge of closing a ten-billion-dollar deal with GSK Investnt Group."
"So," Avery added, crossing one leg over the other with elegance, "being close to us now—, my company—just know your business is secured. We’re not just making waves in this city; we’re shaping the future of comrce."
She let that linger in the air for a mont, eyes scanning the room. Then she chuckled. "The man we have working for us inside GSK is more than reliable. He’s the reason we’ve moved from tier 4 to tier 2 on their internal partnership ranking. And with this incoming investnt, plus maybe one more project—" she shrugged lightly, "—we’ll be in tier 1. That changes everything."
Upon hearing what Avery just said, imdiately Gasps echoed quietly across the table. A few heads nodded in admiration. Even the military guy raised an eyebrow.
However Sha remained still, eyes locked on her glass.
’So this is why she’s talking with so much pride today.’
Valentina tilted her head slightly, but didn’t speak. She was watching. Calculating.
Avery grinned as she pulled out a set of soft gold-edged envelopes from a small velvet bag on her lap. "Also—just so you all know—my wedding is in four days." She waved the envelope slightly in the air. "And I’m personally handing out invitations today. No ssengers. No proxies."
Imdiately a few light claps followed. Soone near the end of the table muttered, "She really planned everything."
"Congratulations, Avery," Sha said with a polite smile, though her voice didn’t carry warmth.
"Thank you," Avery responded, though her eyes never left Valentina.
"Now," Avery said, flipping her hair behind her shoulder, "let’s hear from the gentlen next to ." Her gaze shifted to the two wealthy n seated confidently at the other side of the table. "Let’s see what power really sounds like."
So, the first of the two n adjusted his cufflinks slightly before standing. "I’m Edward Lancaster," he said with quiet confidence, "CEO of Zenith Holdings. We currently manage several real estate assets across the region, and recently closed a partnership deal with one of the top logistics chains in the south. Our company is currently in the GSK Tier 2 bracket."
imdiately Soft claps followed. Nods of approval. Edward simply nodded back and sat down.
Next was the man seated to his right, a bit younger but no less polished. "Darren Wright. I run Apex Frontier Group. We handle investnt portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and political families. We’re also tier 2 on the GSK list, but that’s about to change. We’ve got sothing big in the works."
The response was a bit louder. People murmured. "Wow," soone whispered. "He’s the one behind that rger?"
Avery bead, pleased with the powerful introductions.
Then it ca to Sha. She stood up slowly, gathering herself. But before she could even open her mouth, Darren—the one who had once snubbed her at the gala—chuckled quietly and leaned back in his chair. "Sha?" he said, his voice low but cutting. "We all know what Sha does. There’s no need for introductions, it would just be a waste of ti."
Reviews
All reviews (0)