Before I could confront Lauren, the Quinn brothers barged in, acting like she was the victim.

Roger snapped, "You went too far. It's just a pendant. You've had everything. Why the fuss?"

Gerard piled on, "Lauren has a rough time living under your roof. Now you're humiliating her."

I was confused by their baseless accusations, like I had done something horrible.

Lauren looked a bit like me, and we became friends naturally. When I learned she was struggling, I quietly sponsored her.

I hired her as my tutor and brought her home.

I paid her well, giving her clothes and makeup. She cried, holding my hands and vowing to repay me.

But what she really did was frame me.

Lauren returned the pendant. She was tearful but secretly pinched my arm.

I flinched, pushing her away. She fell, hitting her forehead on the table. It was swollen instantly.

The pendant dropped and broke in two. She did it on purpose.

"I know you look down on me, but I didn't steal it," Lauren choked up. "I don't know how it ended up in my room. If you don't believe me, I'll die to prove it."

She grabbed a fruit knife, trying to prove her innocence. The Quinn brothers rushed to stop her.

Tears welled up in her eyes. In front of them, she was always a frail lady, sharing her tragic stories to win their sympathy.

Then she would subtly criticize me, saying the things I gave her were trash.

"Angie said I'm a nobody who doesn't need nice clothes," she sobbed. "She called me a pet, taking pleasure in making fun of me, and threatened to throw me to some old creep if I didn't obey. And she called you guys lapdogs."

The Quinn brothers grew cold toward me, refusing to believe my side.

Roger glared. "You'd drive Lauren to her death? Is that how your parents educate you? It's just a dumb pendant. I'll buy you a new one."

Gerard sneered, "I can't imagine the hell Lauren has been through. You're jealous and cruel."

I'd had enough. I would leave them and not marry either of them.

...

At a gala, I wore a stunning gown.

There, I ran into my bane again. I ignored Lauren, but her eyes followed me, sizing up my dress and jewelry.

Her shoulders slumped in an instant, and her eyes burned with jealousy.

Then she approached with a glass of wine. "Angie, long time no see. Where did you get that dress and those jewels?"

When I didn't answer, she grabbed my arm and scoffed, "You think you're better than me because you dress fancier? You're just a spoiled brat who got lucky. Your pride is meaningless. The Quinn brothers want me, not you."

I shook her off, and she pulled her old trick, splashing wine on her face and dress.

She cried, "Ms. Brown, I'm sorry. I don't belong here. Please don't make it hard for me."

The Quinn brothers arrived to bump into the scene. Without asking, they blamed me for everything.

Roger poured wine over my head. "You always humiliate Lauren with your hand-me-downs, and now you're making a scene. That dress makes you look like a wannabe."

Gerard smashed the cake into my gown. "We liked you for years, and this is who you are?"

They stormed off without caring about the consequences.

Their parents heard about it and called it childish tantrums. They sent an invitation, begging me to attend their matriarch's 80th birthday.

I couldn't refuse the elders.

At their house, their parents were warm, urging me to reconcile with Roger and Gerard, but as soon as they left, Lauren appeared.

I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to apologize to me? Why did you bring her here?"

Roger cringed, then cleared his throat. "Well, she is working here as a server. You know, to provide for her family."

I glanced at her designer outfit, worth thousands. No servers were dressed like that.

Gerard chimed in, "We overreacted at the gala, but you were too harsh. Let's forgive and forget. The four of us will get along."

I snorted. They had the nerve to say that after breaking my heirloom, throwing wine and cake at me, and backstabbing me.

Lauren put on her innocent act, bowing. "I should have known my place and shouldn't have greeted you at the gala. I just want a chance to earn a living."

I wasn't impressed. "Didn't they already move you into a luxury condo downtown? And those designer clothes..."

Lauren turned pale as her act was laid bare. Unable to find a good excuse, she started crying.

Roger shielded her. "I bought her those clothes. Only you get to wear nice things? You're so full of yourself."

Gerard echoed, "Life has been hard on her. You don't care, fine, but mocking her? Where's your class?"

They were smitten with her. No doubt about it.

I recalled their childhood promise to be my knights, protecting me forever.

Time had changed everything. Just a scheming girl had them eating out of her hand. Neither of them was worthy of my trust or could bring me happiness.

Then again, our bond was more like siblings. If my parents hadn't pushed marriage, I wouldn't have considered it.

I left a gift for the matriarch and turned to leave.

Roger didn't budge. "Our families have an arrangement. If you walk out, Gerard and I won't chase you like before. If you apologize to Lauren, I'll forgive you."

Gerard smirked, "That's right. Look around, no men in Arvandor can match us. Who else would want you?"

Just then, a voice rang out from the entrance. "Says who?"