The polite chatter continued for a while longer.

Evelyn kept her smile perfectly in place.

But her focus was elsewhere.

Her eyes scanned the room again.

Where was Amelia?

Had she not arrived yet?

A former classmate approached, drink in hand.

He grinned widely at her.

"Evelyn! It's been forever! We must have a drink to catch up."

Even though Alexander was often dismissed in Crestwood.

A powerless man in a wheelchair.

He was still a Blackwood.

By marrying him, Evelyn had entered a different world.

Her social status now far surpassed her old classmates.

They wouldn't miss this chance.

They all wanted to stay in her good graces.

Evelyn saw their motives clearly.

She curved her lips politely.

The smile didn't reach her eyes.

"My husband specifically told me not to drink tonight," she said lightly. "My stomach has been sensitive. If I go home smelling of alcohol, he'll definitely scold me."

Another classmate laughed and nudged her playfully.

"Look at you, so obedient! You two must be really close."

"Her whole face changes when she talks about him," someone else added.

At the mention of Alexander, Evelyn's expression softened.

A genuine warmth filled her smile.

"He really does take excellent care of me," she said.

The group around her laughed and chatted easily.

Across the room, Rebecca watched.

Her eyes narrowed to slits.

Her mood soured with every passing second.

Evelyn. Of all people.

Dressed like she was going to a gala. For a simple reunion?

The moment she walked in, she stole everyone's attention.

Now half the room was fawning over her.

It was sickening.

In college, Evelyn had been utterly average.

Plain. Forgettable.

She never stood out. She never outshone Rebecca.

Yet here she was, bathing in admiration.

All because she married money.

And to a cripple, no less!

If Rebecca's husband were disabled, she would hide it.

But Evelyn flaunted her life without shame.

The more Rebecca thought, the angrier she got.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

She strode forward, a mocking smirk on her lips.

"Evelyn, it must be so tiresome," Rebecca said loudly. "Marrying rich, but having no real freedom. You can't even have a drink without your husband's permission. Now, take Anastasia. Her husband is just as wealthy, but she does whatever she pleases. That's true power."

The name Anastasia Davenport sparked immediate interest.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Isn't Anastasia coming tonight? Wasn't she voted campus belle?"

"Not just campus belle. She was born into money. And then married even more money! I heard her husband has ties to the founder of Aethelgard Industries."

"Ugh, life isn't fair. Beautiful, rich, and climbed even higher. Some people have it all."

Suddenly, a voice called from the hallway.

"Anastasia is here!"

In an instant, the group around Evelyn dissolved.

They rushed toward the entrance like a flock of birds.

Evelyn was curious about Anastasia too.

But by the time she moved, the doorway was already a solid wall of people.

Rebecca, who had been watching her, let out a scornful laugh.

"You see?" Rebecca said, folding her arms. "That's the real deal. That's who people actually care about."

She tilted her head, her expression dripping with mockery.

"You must be so disappointed, Evelyn. You went through all that trouble to marry up—even settled for a cripple—and you still can't compete with Anastasia. Let me give you some advice. You'll never be on her level. So why even bother trying?"