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“Sis,”my brother frowned and started to head toward Sophie to explain.
I stopped him.
“I’m okay.”
“Don’t pay her any mind.Don’t you have to get back to school this afternoon?”
“If we don’t hurry,we’ll miss the new dishes.”
At the mention of food,my hungry brother eagerly nodded.
As we passed Sophie and Ryan,she puffed out her chest,radiating pride,as if flaunting her access to upscale places.
Her glance at me was full of disdain,scorning the“gold-digger”she thought I was.
Noticing Ryan wasn’t paying attention me,I relaxed.
Sophie’s antics were almost comical.
“Ms.Harper,your private room is ready,”the manager said,bowing politely.
I nodded,leading my brother to a private,high-end room.
We walked slowly,catching snippets of Sophie in an argument with the manager.
“Why does she get a private room,and we’re left in the main hall?”
“Sorry,ma’am,private rooms require a one-time deposit of $10 million .Ms.Harper is a VIP.”
“Are you saying we can’t afford it?”
“Yes,ma’am.”
Sophie was livid.She’d begged Ryan to bring her here to take photos for social media,only to be humiliated.
My phone vibrated with her message.
[Emma,did you set me up to embarrass me?]
[Because I took your suitor?]
[But you’ve landed a rich kid now,haven’t you?]
Her delusions were ridiculous.
I responded with a single symbol.
That question mark got to her.She fired back,fuming.
[Stop putting on a show!]
[Emma,just wait—I’ll expose your true nature!]
[You’re a shameless fortune-digger!]
[You and Claire let me out for so long—you’ll pay!]
I sent back two words.
[Whatever.]
Then I switched off my phone,focusing on dinner with my brother.
Did we isolate her?
I still remembered freshman year—Sophie dragging bags into the dorm,soaked in sweat.
I offered to have our staff help her,but she snapped,accusing me of flaunting wealth.
Ever since,she was harbored hatred towards me.
Claire,a local like me,received the same treatment.
During orientation,Sophie took a bath maybe three times in two weeks despite the heat.
Realizing she might not valued hygiene,I gently suggested daily showers.
She yelled,“Who do you think you are when to bathe?”
Worried her family couldn’t afford water bills,I gave her a $1,000 water card.She snapped it in half.
“I may be poor,but I have pride!”
“How dare you insult me by offering money?”
Claire and I never ever looked down on her.
She was the one who pushed us away with her paranoia.
If anyone was isolated,it was us.
Thinking of her endless grievances,I wondered how she’d make me pay.
