My dormmate invites me to a college mate's engagement party. I choose an expensive tailor-made gown for the occasion.

When I arrive at the hotel, I see several of my former classmates are already there. Everyone looks like they're doing well—they're wearing expensive clothing. Someone is even wearing something from a luxury brand.

As soon as I enter the private room, a familiar classmate rolls her eyes at me. "Look at who it is—the woman who was once the most outstanding student in our class. You're dressed so plainly for such an important occasion."

Everyone is circled around the classmate who's wearing something from a luxury brand. They ignore me. Only our former class monitor clinks glasses with me and consoles me softly. "It's good enough that you're here. You're dressed plainly, but don't give up. You'll succeed one day."

I sip my wine and smile. "My outfit may not be too opulent, but it's an expensive, tailor-made piece. It's 100% handcrafted by a master designer."

My schedule was packed with work commitments, alongside a long list of social events. But when my former class monitor, Sky Watson, insisted that the engagement party was a rare chance to get everyone together, I finally agreed to attend.

Out of consideration for my old classmates, I even postponed an important business deal just to make time for it. I had expected the reunion to be sentimental, but instead, the room buzzed with nothing but bragging and flattery.

Disappointed and irritated, I was about to get up and leave.

Sky caught on immediately and stopped me. "Celia, don't mind what everyone else is saying. Since you're already here, why don't you stay for a while?"

I was just about to respond when a former classmate—who had already rolled her eyes at me earlier—let out a mocking snort.

"If you're already here, you might as well eat, right? No point in coming for nothing. That reminds me. Have you ever seen food this fancy before?"

She covered her mouth in an exaggerated attempt to stifle a laugh.

I glanced at her, my voice calm. "And what exactly does that have to do with you? I only came because I didn't want to disappoint Sky. Don't bother inviting me to things like this again."

I hadn't even finished speaking when Mabel Fairbank—the center of attention that evening—suddenly raised her voice, saying, "Celia, don't you think you're being a little too much? Do you think you're so high and mighty?"

Mabel twisted my words, and just like that, the others turned against me.

"Give me a break. Does she think she's the First Lady or something?"

"Look at that outfit. Even a beggar would turn it down."

"Exactly! She calls herself a white-collar worker, but she's just some low-ranking employee. All that studying back in the day—what good did it do her?"

How ridiculous! I was the one who signed paychecks for white-collar workers.

"Celia, stop throwing a tantrum. Why? Are you upset just because we didn't pay enough attention to you? Talk about a big ego."

"People are different. Sure, you were good at studying, but school grades don't mean much in the real world."

"All that hard work back then, and you're still wearing such cheap clothes."

I had only wanted to leave because I hated the atmosphere, but thanks to Mabel's comment, I had suddenly become everyone's target.

I let out a slow breath before stating, "I'm sorry, everyone, but I have an important business meeting to get to. Tonight's engagement party is on me. Order whatever you want and put it on my tab."

I pushed my chair back to leave, but before I could take a step, a massive figure blocked my way.

"Quit pretending. You don't even know the names of these dishes, do you? This meal costs thousands of dollars. How exactly are you planning to pay for it?"

The man wore a tight plaid shirt, his belly so large it looked like the buttons could pop off at any second. More than that, though, the cigarette smell on him was overwhelming—so strong I had to cover my nose.

Seriously, where had he been? Inside a chimney?

"Celia, don't tell me you don't recognize me. Look at that face, still putting on an act."

My expression was unreadable. "Sorry, but I've met too many people over the years. And you are…"

The truth was, I had no idea who he was.

He coughed, tilting his chin upward with an arrogant smirk. "You showed up to an engagement party without even knowing whose it is? Come on. I used to be the guy of your dreams."

I nearly lost my balance. There was no way this chubby, round-faced man in front of me had once been the captain of our college basketball team.

What happened to him? Did he make a diet out of pure fat?

I hesitated before asking, "You… You're Harland Eland?"

The moment I said his name, his face lit up with pride.

"Knew it! You remember me perfectly. But…"

He deliberately dragged out the word, his eyes gleaming with arrogance.

"You missed your chance. My fiancée is Mabel."

Oh? I had forgotten to ask Sky who was getting engaged.

No wonder Mabel was dressed so extravagantly tonight—she was the bride-to-be.

Seeing me remain silent, Harland waved his cigarette-stained hand in front of my face.

"Being a low-level white-collar worker must be tough—long hours with low pay. How about working as a cleaner for my family instead?

"You can choose between daily wage or hourly pay. How does 200 bucks a day sound? Cleaning and cooking would be way easier than whatever you're doing now."

His so-called generosity was nothing more than an insult, and it sent the whole room into laughter.

I didn't understand. Did humiliating me somehow make him feel more important? That was just plain stupid.

Ignoring Harland's taunts, I pushed back my chair and stood up. "Sorry, but I'm busy. I'll be leaving now."

I hadn't even reached the door when Mabel suddenly turned and smacked the wall hard.

The door swung open, and over a dozen security guards stormed in—tall, muscular, and exuding an air of authority.

My eyes immediately caught the badges hanging from their chests: Silver Key Holdings. One of the most powerful companies in Yorkdale City.

Mabel leaned back in her chair, lighting a cigar and exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. "Celia, did I say you could leave?"

What a power trip.

I lifted my chin and met her gaze directly. "Are you my boss? I don't need your permission to go anywhere."

Mabel let out a strange, mocking laugh, as if I had just said the most ridiculous thing imaginable.

"A lowly little office worker like you dares to act all high and mighty on my turf? This club belongs to my family. So tell me. Do you need my permission or not? Because as long as I say no, you're not going anywhere."

Not wanting to see me suffer while trying not to offend Mabel, Sky tugged gently at my sleeve, signaling for me to sit back down.

"We were classmates once. It's been so long since we last saw each other. There's no need to argue and ruin the mood."

She then turned to me, her eyes filled with quiet persuasion. "Celia, sit down and eat. As today is Mabel and Harland's engagement party, you should at least show them some respect. Come on. Let's all raise our glasses."

I knew Sky meant well.

"Sky, I'm sorry, but my schedule is tight today. I have an important business meeting to attend and can't stay too long."

Sky was about to say more when Mabel suddenly stood up and flung her knife and fork at me.

"Celia, quit acting like you're someone important. A business meeting? Who would want to work with you? What do you think you are?

"Even if your company was negotiating a deal, why would they need you there? You're just a low-level employee, yet you act like you're the boss. It's hilarious!"

I opened my mouth to respond, but Sky quickly grabbed my hand and whispered urgently, "Celia, just apologize. There's no need to make things worse.

"Silver Key Holdings is a huge name in Yorkdale City. It won't end well if you go against Mabel. Be careful, or you might get fired. Finding another job after that won't be easy."

Mabel? Get me fired?

Ha! They had no idea who the real boss was.

With my current position, not just in Yorkdale City but across all of Faeloria, no one would dare to fire me. No matter how wealthy Mabel's family was, they had no power to affect me in the slightest.

I spoke calmly, "Mabel, I don't want to make a scene at your engagement party. If you hate me because of Harland, then let me put your mind at ease. I have zero interest in him. Don't push too far and know when to stop."

I had only meant to clear things up and to ease the tension so she wouldn't be so hostile toward me.

But to Mabel, my words meant something completely different.

Furious, Mabel grabbed everything from her plate and hurled it at me. A mix of jam and soup splattered across my clothes, staining them instantly.

"Celia, am I supposed to thank you now? Are you saying my fiancé isn't even good enough for you? Let me tell you something. Harland's family has deep roots in Yorkdale City.

"This is a power match—a merging of strengths. Even if you stripped naked and threw yourself at him, he still wouldn't want you!"

Oh, so, that was what this was about. I had been wondering why someone as stunning as Mabel would settle for a slob like Harland. Turned out, it was about business interests.

She was panting heavily, her chest rising and falling with rage.

Harland, looking a little uneasy, stepped forward to calm her down, gently rubbing her stomach. "Sweetheart, don't get upset. Think about our baby."

I raised an eyebrow. Pregnant? That was why they were rushing into an engagement, huh?

After soothing Mabel, Harland turned to me with a dark expression. "Celia, if something happens to Mabel because of you, you won't be able to afford the consequences! You're not leaving until you explain yourself!"

I was this close to revealing my true identity, but I didn't. Even if I told them, they wouldn't believe me.

"My meeting is extremely important. If I miss it, the losses would be way more than you can afford to cover. Move. I'm leaving," I said.

I had been patient—for Sky's sake and to avoid ruining the engagement party. But the moment I stepped forward, one of Mabel's bodyguards grabbed my shoulder, holding me in place.

Mabel let out a sharp whistle and strutted toward me, an arrogant smirk decorating her lips. Then, without warning, she slapped me across the face.

"And how much money is this so-called meeting of yours worth? What a joke! This is the funniest thing I've ever heard.

"You were always running your mouth to the teachers back in school, talking trash about me every chance you got. You're the most despicable person I know!

"Do you think you're so powerful? Go ahead and call someone! I'd love to see if someone as lowly as you has anyone who would come help you!"

I gritted my teeth and glared at her. "Mabel, this is my final warning. In college, you skipped classes, got into fights, and ran with street thugs. You had multiple abortions.

"By telling the teachers, I was trying to help you. Now, you're about to become someone's wife. For the sake of your family and your fiancé, you'd better think about the consequences."

The moment I mentioned her abortions, Harland visibly froze.

So, he didn't know.

Mabel hadn't expected me to air her dirty laundry in front of everyone. Her face twisted with rage, and she stomped on my foot, as if that would somehow make her feel better.

"You still dare to spout this nonsense? Looks like you've got a death wish!" she bellowed.

I slowly lifted my head, forcing down the fury bubbling inside me. "You'd better watch your mouth, Mabel. Silver Key Holdings isn't the only power in Yorkdale City.

"There are people out there you can't afford to offend. You should let me go right now, or you're going to regret it."

The words had barely left my mouth when Mabel let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Oh, my God, listen to yourself! I'll regret it? You're a joke, Celia.

"In Yorkdale City, everyone treats me with respect, and no one would dare talk to me like this. And you? A lowly office worker? With just one word, I could make you disappear from this world."

Laughter erupted from the classmates around us, their faces full of ridicule.

Only Sky stood there, anxious and desperate. "Celia, please, just apologize. We're just normal people. We can't afford to offend them!

"Silver Key Holdings is insanely powerful. You've made her this angry. One phone call from her, and you'll be out of a job!"

I looked around at the faces I had once known so well, now twisted with mockery and scorn.

So, this is what our so-called friendship was worth? Did none of them have a shred of loyalty? Were they all this spineless?

All I had done was try to leave early because I had something important to do, yet they humiliated me again and again.

I didn't care if they called me poor or mocked my clothes.

But Mabel? She was so arrogant that she threatened to erase me from existence. Was this what wealth did to people? The richer they got, the colder their hearts became.

I had always worked hard, gotten good grades, and treated people with kindness. Even when someone provoked me, I usually just laughed it off.

But I never thought that my humility would one day become the very reason these people thought they could walk all over me.