Chapter 423 A Real Friend Doesn’t Need a Title

“When we came, none of us brought her. She forced her way in,” one of the girls whispered. “She also said you were definitely a fake heiress and that she came to expose you.”

“I mean, if someone’s really rich, who would spend a whole month in a hospital ward? Just for some honorary certificate?”

Yunice lifted her eyes with a faint smile–just in time to meet Peggy’s gaze from the front van.

In a calm voice, Yunice said, “Whether I’m the real heiress or not doesn’t matter. As long as everyone has fun today, that’s what counts. We’re friends because we enjoy each other’s company, not because of anyone’s background, right?”

The girl reporting to her was stunned.

Then Qi Xingchen spoke up. “She’s right.”

“We’re all just here to have fun. No one’s trying to climb the social ladder. Yunice’s background doesn’t matter.”

Yunice glanced at him. He was the only one among them who had any idea about her situation.

Seeing that Yunice didn’t care at all, the girl wisely dropped the topic. “Then I’m really gonna go wild and enjoy myself, okay?”

Yunice replied, “Go ahead. If there’s anything you like, feel free to take it as a souvenir.”

She didn’t lower her voice, so people in all three vans heard her and started cheering. But they were all well-mannered. Even with Yunice’s offer, no one would take anything too expensive–even though everything here was pretty high-end.

“There’s a pool!”

“Yunice, can we use the pool? The public pool at Silverburgh needs a membership, and the fees are crazy high!”

Before Yunice could answer, Peggy raised her voice. “Of course you can’t. Just look at the water–it’s clearly been changed recently. If a bunch of you jump in, you’ll make it all dirty.”

Peggy came from the wealthiest family in the group. She looked down on the others, and they weren’t about to take it lying down.

“What’s it to you if the water gets dirty? Yunice hasn’t said anything. Why are you being such a know-it-all?”

Peggy sneered. “Do you even know how much it costs to refill a pool like this?”

Everyone fell silent–she’d hit a blind spot.

Peggy held up three fingers. “At least thirty thousand.”

Everyone looked a little embarrassed. Wasting thirty grand just to play in the pool did seem kind of excessive.

Yunice scanned their faces and said casually, “Pools are meant to be used, not just looked at. Don’t worry–have fun.”

The butler driving the van chimed in, “Madam is right. All the facilities here are for your enjoyment. There’s no need to feel guilty.”

Peggy shot Yunice a knowing look, then glanced at the butler. Resting her chin on her hand, she said with a sly smile, “Hey, Yunice, where’s your husband? Why hasn’t he come out to greet us? Is he looking down on us?”

Yunice replied calmly, “He’s busy.”

Peggy snorted at that, then deliberately made small talk with the butler. “So, what’s your relationship with Yunice? You two kinda look alike. Are you her dad?”

The butler’s face darkened, and he cut her off at once. “Watch your words. Madam and I are employer and employee. Nothing more.”

Everyone else thought Peggy was being too obvious about stirring up drama and started grumbling.

“Why are you always trying to stand out? Who cares what their relationship is? We’re here to have fun. If you don’t want to, nobody’s forcing you.”

Peggy brushed it off. “I’m just thinking about everyone’s best interests. You know how fake heiresses are trending online these days? Daughters of maids, butlers, drivers–using their parents‘ jobs to fake a rich-girl lifestyle.”

She shot a glance at Yunice. “What if Yunice is one of those? Pretending to be rich just to let you guys use these fancy facilities? If something gets damaged, guess who’ll be paying for it? All of you.”

“Yunice’s not like that! If anyone here is vain, it’s you!” Several friends spoke up in her defense.

Peggy rolled her eyes. “You’ve only known her a few days. Has she ever talked about her family? Do you really know what kind of person she is?”

The group fell silent.

Yunice listened like an outsider. Once Peggy finished, she calmly turned to the butler. “Send her out. No need to worry about splitting costs later.”

The butler stopped the van and said to Peggy, “Please step out. I’ll have someone drive you out separately.”

Peggy turned red but clung to the seat, refusing to budge. “What, kicking me out already? Did I hit the nail on the head?”

Yunice replied, “It’s because you’re loud. And a buzzkill.”

Peggy grabbed the seat with both hands and whined, “I was just guessing. I didn’t say it was true. Why are you being so petty?”

Everyone gave her a look of disbelief.

Yunice didn’t bother forcing her. Instead, she asked the butler to prepare swimsuits. Those who wanted to swim went to the pool. The rest followed Yunice to the garden.

The garden had swings and a gazebo, and the maids brought out tea, snacks, and fresh fruit.