CHAPTER 29: QUEEN OF COMEBACKS

Noon, the next day.

DZ Hotel – VIP Lounge.

"Why isn’t Sophia here yet?"

"Yeah, how long are we supposed to wait? She really knows how to make an entrance."

"Enough already. You’re just bitter she’s successful now—a famous designer—and managed to land Lucas."

"Didn’t you hear? She’s got six kids! What a messy private life!"

Sophia was just about to step inside when those sour voices reached her ears.

"Mommy, should we still go in?"

"Of course."

With a faint smile tugging at her lips, Sophia pushed the doors open.

She wore an off-shoulder evening dress that perfectly outlined her figure. Behind her trailed her six little ones, all dressed neatly in tiny suits, looking impeccably well-behaved.

"Oh my God, Sophia!"

The first to stand was a balding man in a suit and glasses. From afar he could pass for a successful businessman—if not for the massive beer belly that ruined the illusion.

She didn’t recognize him at first.

"You don’t remember me? It’s Jason! I used to sit right behind you in middle school!"

Sophia’s brows knit. She remembered now—the same boy who used to bully her, even rallying others to corner her after class.

"I don’t like being touched," she said coolly when he tried to shake her hand. Jason withdrew, embarrassed.

"And these are...?"

"You’ve all been gossiping about my six children, right? Well, here they are. Sorry to disappoint, but they’re not multiple sets of twins—they were all born at once."

She waved for the waiter to add six chairs.

"I’ve never seen anyone bring their kids to a class reunion before," someone scoffed.

"And not just one or two—six of them? Who’s supposed to pay for all these extra meals?"

Sophia’s gaze landed on a woman with a Chanel bag and heavy curls that aged her features.

The woman beside her nudged her, warning her to hold her tongue.

"What? Am I wrong? Sophia’s not the type to take offense, right? Sophia, we’ve known each other for years—surely you won’t hold grudges?"

"And you are...?"

Sophia set her own limited-edition designer bag casually on the chair beside her and sat down with an air of indifference.

Anna stiffened. "I’m Anna."

"Anna? If you hadn’t said your name, I might’ve mistaken you for a stray cat or dog. The way you chatter on—it sounds just like barking."

"Sophia! What did you just say?!"

Anna slammed the table and shot to her feet.

"Mommy, this grandma is scary," Charles said, looking at her with wide, pitiful eyes.

"Grandma? Did you just call me grandma?!" Anna’s voice shot up an octave.

"Charles, don’t call her grandma," Dustin chimed in with perfect timing. "Even though she looks old, she’s still one of Mommy’s classmates!"

Anna nearly choked on her own rage.

"Enough, Anna," Jason stepped in, clearly the most influential among them. "Whatever happened years ago is water under the bridge. Sit down—it’s a class reunion. No need to ruin the mood."

Sophia gave him a longer look this time.

Jason chuckled. "Sophia, I never would’ve guessed. You’ve had six children and somehow you still look younger than the rest of us—people who’ve been grinding away at our careers."

"Keep your mindset positive. Stop comparing yourself pointlessly—you’ll feel lighter that way," she replied calmly.

And indeed, sitting among them, Sophia truly looked the youngest and most radiant.

Jason grinned wider. "Sophia, you’re a world-renowned designer now. I’m getting married next year. Think you could design a gown for my fiancée?"

"Sorry, I don’t take commissions under a million."

Anyone who hired her paid at least two million. The word free simply didn’t exist in her vocabulary.

"See that, Jason? Even as a CEO with your million-dollar salary, you still don’t measure up to her."

The table was buzzing with snide little jabs.

Faye suddenly grinned and pointed. "Mommy, look at that old lady—her makeup’s melting! And her eyebrows look like caterpillars!"

"They’re not caterpillars, Faye," Eric said solemnly, patting her head. "That’s what we call tattooed brows. You have to respect others. Even if it’s ugly, you don’t say it out loud."

"Old lady? Caterpillars? Sophia, what kind of manners are you teaching these kids?"

Well, that did it. She had officially offended the whole table.

Sophia’s soft laugh slipped out, silencing them in an instant. The men at the table couldn’t help staring—she was breathtaking, every move of hers enough to steal a heartbeat.

"Lori, still the same as always—never could stand to see me doing well. That diamond ring on your hand? A fine fake, I’ll give you that."

Most of them had spread their "status symbols" across the table like trophies. Oversized diamond rings, gaudy purses, flashy keys—all on display.

Lori’s smile faltered as she yanked her hand back. "Don’t talk nonsense. But I did hear Lucas proposed to you. I bet your diamond’s even bigger than mine. And another thing—how could you get married without inviting us? We’re supposed to be friends."

"Marriage is sacred. Why would I invite people who don’t matter?"

"So now that you’ve made it, you’re cutting ties with your old classmates? You think you’re above us all?"

Sophia propped her chin on her hands, her gaze sweeping slowly across the table. "Are you sure it’s not just jealousy? I never cared about status, but every ounce of envy is written all over your faces. Do you know how ugly that looks?"

"Sophia, you can’t just—"

"Shut up, Terry. That Maserati, Mercedes, Lincoln keychain you keep flashing? It’s a ten-dollar lighter set from a street stall. Three for ten, if I recall."

Terry’s face turned bright red.

"And you, Anna. The guy you liked liked me, and you’ve hated me ever since. That Gucci bag? A knockoff. Unfortunately for you, I have the real one."

Anna glared daggers at her, like she’d tear her apart if she could.

"As for what Lori said—you’re right. Lucas did propose."

Sophia slipped the massive diamond ring onto her finger, lips curving into a slow, mocking smile. "I thought keeping quiet was a virtue. Clearly, that was my mistake."

"So what? Just because you have a little money, you think you’re better than us?"

Sophia laughed so hard her eyes watered. "Yes. Having money does make me better. Unlike you—jobless, living off fake designer junk, and still parading around like you’re something special."

Her smile turned razor sharp. "Be honest with yourselves. Have I ever been close to any of you? No. You only wanted me here for one reason—to see if I’d fail."

She pushed back her chair, standing tall. "Well, now you’ve seen the truth. Satisfied?"