Old Faces, Old Scorn

I frowned, realizing these people hadn't changed one bit. Even with money in their pockets, they still reeked of that same old pretentiousness.

The room buzzed again with gossip.

"Wait a second, the necklace she's wearing—it looks like Chanel's latest design from this year, worth tens of millions!"

"It really is!"

"She can't possibly afford that!"

"She can't, but a man could."

"Exactly. With her kind of background, no man would ever want to marry her. He's probably just having some fun with her."

"Kathy, there are a lot of scammers these days. Don't get fooled—be careful not to give both your heart and body to him."

"Yeah! You used to be the top student in our class. If you're doing this badly now, it's really embarrassing for all of us."

I said nothing and quietly enjoyed my food. After a full day of flying, I was tired and starving, with no time to eat earlier.

While Felix's eyes burned with anger and resentment at seeing me staying silent, Eleanor scoffed as she stepped toward me. "Kathy, have you been starving for a week or something? You can't stop eating."

She loomed over me, dripping arrogance. "How sad, scarfing down food like this. Life must've treated you terribly in the last five years."

She paused, then added with a sneer, "How about coming back and playing the lapdog again? At least you'd have food and a roof over your head. We're old acquaintances, after all—consider it an act of charity."

After a few more bites of steak, warmth returned to my stomach and a bit of energy with it. I looked up at her and shook my head. "No, thanks. You can save your charity for someone else."

Eleanor burst into mocking laughter. "Stop pretending. You're just too proud for your own good—it's only going to make your life harder."

Then, she began flaunting her achievements. "I'm a top fashion designer now—one of the rising stars in the industry. My future's bright, and I'll be rolling in money soon. All it takes is one word from me, and you'll never have to worry about food or clothing again. Feeding you would be no trouble at all."

Everyone knew Eleanor was the woman Felix loved, so they all scrambled to flatter her. Her happiness meant his approval.

"That's right, Eleanor. You're amazing."

"She's worked so hard all these years. Give it a few more and she'll have a firm place in the international fashion world."

"Someone as talented and gifted as her is the only one worthy of Felix. I'm jealous, honestly."

"She's beautiful and sensible. She and Felix are a perfect match."

Eleanor raised her chin proudly, basking in the admiration. She always did love the attention. To show off even more, she dropped another piece of news. "I'll be collaborating with Miss Farah, one of the biggest designers in the field. Once our company brings her on board, we'll be taking things to a whole new level."

I blinked in mild surprise but said nothing. 'This partnership can go to the dumps,' I thought.

I stood up, ready to leave. But before I could take another step, Felix's voice—tight with anger—snapped out behind me. "Kathy, stop right there!"

I froze, turning only enough to give him my cold, distant back. "Can I help you?"

His footsteps came heavy and deliberate. When he stopped in front of me, his gaze was locked on mine, voice sharp with blame. "You've been gone for years, and now you want to run off again? You really have no heart at all. Do you feel even a shred of regret?"

False Pity

My eyes flashed with annoyance. What was there to regret?

Just as I was about to speak, the door swung open from the outside. Felix's assistant walked in respectfully. "Sir, we weren't able to invite Miss Farah."

Eleanor's eyes widened in shock. "That's impossible! I checked—she was supposed to be on today's flight."

The assistant lowered his head and replied quietly, "Our people waited outside the whole day, but no one knew what she looked like, so they couldn't tell who she was."

Eleanor's expression faltered in disappointment.

I suddenly remembered seeing someone holding a sign for Farah at the airport earlier. I hadn't paid it any attention then, but now it all made sense—they were her people.

The atmosphere in the room turned awkward, and Eleanor quickly forced a smile. "It's fine. I'll go meet her myself tomorrow. I'll make sure she agrees to the collaboration."

The crowd immediately chimed in with encouragement.

"Eleanor, you're incredible. You'll definitely make it happen."

"That's right. We all believe in you."

"You're Felix's perfect partner—so capable and reliable."

Under their praise, Eleanor's smile gradually shifted into pride and satisfaction. But the moment she caught Felix's gaze lingering on me, that smile vanished. She grabbed his hand with a hint of grievance. "Don't forget, you two are already over."

Felix clenched his jaw, trying to hold back his temper, his whole presence heavy with restrained anger.

I turned back to him, arching a brow with a faint smile. "You said I was heartless. So what exactly is there left to explain?"

Felix froze, clearly stunned, his face grim as if he wanted to speak—but before he could, Eleanor cut in. "Kathy, why don't you work for me? You could be my assistant—make coffee, handle small errands."

The others jumped in immediately.

"Eleanor's assistant isn't just anyone. You should be grateful for the opportunity."

"Don't act so proud. If you're unemployed, you should accept it."

"We're all classmates here—we're just trying to help."

I frowned, my voice flat and cold. "I already have a job. I don't need yours."

I turned to leave again, but Eleanor stepped in front of me, eyes brimming with false sorrow. "Kathy, are you still mad at me for taking Felix? I didn't mean to. We just fell in love—it was beyond our control." Her eyes shimmered with tears, her voice trembling.

I sighed, growing impatient, and answered truthfully. "I'm not mad. I wish you both well."

However, Eleanor refused to drop it, twisting my words through her own lens. "No, I know you're still hurt. You must curse me behind my back every day."

Then, she bent at the waist, bowing as tears finally spilled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

I stared at her in disbelief. She could've won an award with that performance.

The others rushed to defend her.

"Eleanor, you don't need to apologize. She's not worth it."

"It's kind of you to show sympathy, but with her background? She's nowhere near Felix's league. Even if you hadn't stepped in, he'd never have chosen someone like her."

"Exactly. She grew up in the slums. Her parents didn't even have proper jobs. I still remember—her mother was sick all the time, and her father was a gambling addict drowning in debt. He almost sold her off back then."

"With a background like that, it's shameful."

"You shouldn't bother helping her. People like her would only cause trouble in your company—a ticking time bomb."

"She doesn't deserve your kindness anyway."

Eleanor sniffled, wiping at her tears, shoulders trembling in mock surrender. "If that's how it is… then I won't help you."

Then, she turned to Felix with a wounded look, her voice soft and pitiful. "You saw it yourself, darling. I really tried to help her, but she just wouldn't appreciate it."

The Truth Revealed

Felix sighed, trying to reason with me, defending her. "Kathy, stop being so stubborn. If you're struggling, then let go of that useless pride."

After a pause, he added, "If you don't like those jobs, then just come back and serve me. I'll pay you generously."

I drew in a deep breath, forcing down my irritation. I truly couldn't understand why they all assumed I was miserable. In their eyes, I was someone undeserving of a good life.

When I caught the contempt and disdain in their gazes, my patience snapped. "I'm doing just fine, thank you—and I already have a job. If you all can't understand plain words, maybe you need to go back to school!"

With that, I strode out the door. As it swung open, I nearly bumped into a familiar face. Davis' expression lit up with surprise and delight. "Kathy! I can't believe you're really here!"

As he spoke, he spread his arms for a hug. Being Findellian, Davis was naturally warm and affectionate with people close to him. This was simply his way of greeting.

I allowed the embrace and smiled softly. "I knew you'd be here. Of course, I had to come see you."

Pleased, Davis nodded and slung an arm over my shoulder. "Since we've run into each other, you're not escaping this time. You're dining with me tonight."

I agreed without hesitation. He was my mentor in the industry—this reunion was worth celebrating.

Eleanor's eyes widened in shock the moment she saw us. "Oh my God, Kathy, don't tell me you've become his mistress?"

The others quickly piled on.

"She totally looks like she has."

"Please, look at her—using her youth and looks to land an older man."

"Ugh, mistresses like her are filthy. They're bound to catch something."

Hearing their poisonous words swirling at the doorway, my patience snapped. However, before I could speak, Davis beat me to it, his voice sharp with anger. "Who are all these crows flapping their beaks? Maybe their tongues ought to be cut out."

With that, he turned to his assistant. "My restaurant doesn't welcome trash like them. Throw them out."

The assistant nodded, and the bodyguards moved in. The group fell silent instantly, not daring to utter another word.

Felix glared at me, his disappointment written all over his face. "I thought you were above all this. I can't believe you'd let yourself be kept."

I froze, utterly speechless.

The agent who had accompanied me, seeing how out of hand things were getting, stepped in quickly. "Everyone, calm down—this is all a misunderstanding."

She turned to Felix, ready to explain. "Felix, she's—"

But he cut her off coldly. "Enough. I don't want to hear another word in her defense. If you insist on taking her side, we're done as friends."

The agent's face fell in frustration.

I gave a short laugh. Good thing I stopped her from revealing who I was earlier. No one here would've listened—or believed it anyway.

Davis, on the other hand, was furious on my behalf. "What a bunch of fools! How dare they insult my muse like this—it's outrageous."

I gave a small, indifferent smile. "Forget it, Davis. They're not worth it."

But Eleanor, upon hearing his name, froze in shock. "Wait—Davis? You mean the famous Parovine runway judge?"

Davis nodded evenly.

Eleanor's eyes went wide as she pointed between the two of us. "How are you two connected?"

Davis shot her a withering glare. "We're friends. She's the chief fashion designer I personally invited back from abroad—Farah. Do you still need me to explain why we're together?"

Eleanor's face turned pale as her gaze swung back to me in disbelief. "You're saying… she's Farah?!"

The agent sighed, rubbing her temples, before finally confirming it. "That's right. She's the Farah you've been so desperate to find."