Chapter 101
Rachel had meticulously planned a garden party, mostly for women from her elite social circles. Though laughter and casual conversation filled the air, an undercurrent of subtle power plays and negotiations ran beneath the surface. The women, all smiling, knew each other superficially; none let their guard down, each interaction carefully measured.
Rachel presented Mrs. Reyes with an elegant velvet box. “I couldn’t attend your birthday, so this is a belated gift. I hope you don’t mind.”
Mrs. Reyes accepted the box with a practiced smile, her fingers tracing the soft fabric. “Rachel, you shouldn’t have,” she said, laughing lightly. She opened the box to reveal a delicate necklace; its diamond centerpiece caught the afternoon sun, scattering bright sparks.
“My goodness,” Mrs. Reyes exclaimed, her eyes wide with genuine surprise. “This must have cost a fortune, Rachel. You are too generous.” She admired the necklace, then returned it to the box with a pleased expression.
Rachel then turned to Mrs. Reyes’s young son and patted his head, producing a limited-edition toy. The boy barely looked up from his tablet as he accepted it.
Mrs. Reyes’s smile faltered. “Ted, what do you say to Mrs. Gray?” she said firmly.
The boy didn’t answer, grabbing his new toy and running off. Mrs. Reyes forced a strained laugh. “I’ve spoiled him. I’m sorry.” Rachel smiled politely. “Don’t worry.”
Alice, still delayed, considered warning Caden to keep his distance. Appearances were paramount, and misunderstandings could be devastating. To her surprise, however, Caden hadn't arrived. Finding no sign of him, she shrugged and went to the party.
Inside, a group of women were huddled together, their conversation lively and punctuated by bursts of laughter. Rachel had mentioned Alice’s arrival, which naturally became the topic of conversation.
“I only found out she was married when Joshua proposed! Can you believe they’d been married for two years? He kept it very quiet.”
“What makes Miss Bennett so irresistible to men?” another woman mused disdainfully.
“I can’t tell if Joshua hid her because she’s a precious treasure or a humiliating disgrace!” Mrs. Reyes giggled, her high-pitched sound cutting through the air. “Every man likes to show off what he has. If his wife is beautiful and talented, why wouldn’t he show her off? Just look at Lilliana… can you compare her to Alicia?”
Mrs. Reyes’s words were the culmination of already scathing comments. The others shared her sentiment, their giggles cruel and amused.
“Poor thing,” someone muttered, snickering. “She got dumped, her heart broken, and now she’s struggling in showbiz. Just when she’s trying to move on, her past is dredged up and the internet tears her apart.”
Another added, “I saw her recently. Her face and figure were fine, I guess. So why doesn’t she attract any men?”
“If she was so pretty, she’d be snatched up already. Nowadays, it’s all filters and special effects. Who knows what she really looks like.”
They chuckled, relishing their shared judgment. Only Rachel remained silent, her eyes darting nervously; she’d seen Alice nearby, within earshot. Alice had indeed heard every word.
When the laughter subsided, Alice approached the group, a glass of wine in hand. She stopped beside Mrs. Reyes and subtly clinked her glass against hers.
Mrs. Reyes turned, her smug smile faltering as she saw Alice. Alice wore a champagne-colored silk dress, its delicate straps framing her shoulders. Her skin glowed, her lightly made-up face serene and subtly mysterious. She possessed a captivating elegance, a rare flower amidst thorns; in short, she was stunning. Mrs. Reyes blinked, clearly surprised. Part of her wondered if Alice had overheard; another part admired Alice’s flawless appearance.
Alice's beauty far surpassed the image they'd painted moments before; she was even more stunning than in videos.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Reyes,” Alice said, her smile warm and radiant. “And what, may I ask, has made you laugh so much?” Her tone was gentle, but firm.
Mrs. Reyes, momentarily lost in thought, blinked back to the present. A fleeting worry crossed her mind, but she dismissed it. Alice was burdened and unsupported; what did she have to fear?
A slow smile spread across her face. “Oh, Mrs. Bennett, have we been too loud? You must have overheard.” The words were condescending, dismissive.
Alice’s smile didn’t falter. “I’m afraid not,” she said lightly. “Perhaps your voice has softened with age, making it difficult to hear. Would you mind repeating that for me?”
A silence fell as the onlookers anticipated the confrontation. Alice’s voice remained soft, her face devoid of hostility. Mrs. Reyes’s expression darkened. Women who married wealthy men often relied on their looks, and Mrs. Reyes was no exception; her fading beauty was her greatest insecurity. Even cosmetic procedures couldn’t fully disguise the passage of time.
She hated being reminded of this. Being called old in front of others, especially a younger woman, was unbearable.
Fury flashed across her face. She slammed the table, making the plates rattle. “Alicia Bennett, do you know who I am?” she growled.
The outburst didn’t affect Alice’s composure, but it caught the attention of Mrs. Reyes’s son. His eyes locked onto Alice; without thinking, he lunged at her.
“Don’t you dare bully my mother!” he roared, charging recklessly.
Alice blinked, almost amused, calmly lifting the hem of her dress and ducking. The movement was graceful, fluid. The wine glass in her hand trembled, its contents swirling. Then, cruelly, the wine splashed directly onto Mrs. Reyes’s face. The boy, unable to stop, skidded across the grass, landing face-first with a thud.