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"Nothing.It's yours now.Keep it safe."
I accepted without protest.
The day before the gala,Grandma gazed at the thatched house,clearly unwilling to part from it,murmuring,"It's time..."
A roar from above nearly deafened me.
Running outside,I saw a helicopter hovering above the house,the air current it stirred up had the house collapsed.
"Grandma,is it Victor...?"
She patted my head lovingly,cutting me off.
"Let's go!"
From boarding to landing,I was all dazed.
Grandma and Mom weren't poor—they were immensely wealthy!
At the gala venue,Grandma handed me a gown—blue-white gradient,adorned with hand-painted ceramic motifs.
Entering the hall in the gown,I ran into Luna.She was shocked.
"Stella?How come you’re here?Oh,I get it—you heard Ethan Cole,the billionaire's son,is attending,so you snuck in to seduce him!"
"No way.A lifetime ago,your status won you Ethan.This life,you're only a country bumpkin.A gown doesn't get you from rags to riches!"
I eyed her coldly,then spoke slowly.
"This gala's for state-level designers and above.Why can't I be here?"
"Joke!You said state-level designers yourseld.What gets you in?"
I raised my hand,showing a ring signifying I was a master ceramicist.
"Luna,this ring's for national-level ceramicists.Now tell me,why can't I be here?"
Her eyes widened,her gasp drawing Victor nearby.
"Stella?Why are you here?"
Seeing the ring on my hand,his eyes darkened.
"Hmph,national ceramicist or not,you're still a hick!"
Done with talking to them,I stepped aside,waiting for Mom and Grandma.
Before they arrived,the lights dimmed,the gala began,and Ethan Cole took the stage to speak.
In the dim light,a figure with a wine glass approached,bumping into me,spilling wine on my gown.She turned to flee,but I grabbed her wrist.
"Let go!"
It was Luna's voice,loud in the quiet hall.
Lights were on again,eyes turning to her.
Panicked,she sobbed,feigning innocence.
"Miss,it was dark.I didn't see you and spilled wine on your dress.I'm so sorry!"
"Was it ccident or intentional?"
I still held her wrist,challenging her.
The crowd gathered around us,Luna crying pitifully,painting me as a villain.
Victor stepped in,backing her.
"It was dark back then.Luna didn't see.Our apologies."
"You didn't see,but I did.She aimed her glass at me,ruining my dress."
I refused to back down again.
"It's just a dress.Name your price,I'll pay!"
Victor's words made the crowd think I was extorting them.
A low,masculine voice cut through.
