Chapter 20

Sophia turned around and came face to face with Benjamin and Alice, who had just walked in.

Both of them froze for a moment when they saw her.

"Ms. Brown?" Alice recovered first and smiled. "You're here too? What a coincidence!"

She said this while still holding Benjamin's arm, glancing at Sophia and then at the gown. Her smile took on a meaningful edge. "You like this dress too? Isn't it gorgeous?"

Sophia smiled back, with something unreadable in her expression.

"Like it? Of course I do."

Alice blinked and was about to say something when Sophia continued, "Because I designed it."

The smile froze on Alice's face. Benjamin's brow furrowed slightly.

"You... you designed it?" Alice let out a small laugh. "Oh, I see."

She quickly composed herself and said with a smile, "No wonder that design sketch was in Benjamin's study. I happened to come across it one day and thought it was so beautiful that I mentioned offhand how much I loved it. I never expected Benjamin to take it to heart and have it made for me."

Alice's voice was soft and sweet. When she finished, she looked over at Benjamin, her eyes full of warmth.

"Benjamin never told me who drew it. That sketch must be a few years old by now, right?"

Sophia smiled, a quiet sadness in her eyes.

She could see exactly what Alice was doing — showing off. Showing off how much Benjamin valued her, how he hung on her every word.

What Alice didn't know was that Benjamin never let Sophia into his study. It had started after she went in to clean one day and happened to notice Alice's photo sitting on his desk. After that, Benjamin told her she would mess up his files.

But Alice could go in whenever she wanted. Not only that, she could freely rummage through everything — even turning up a design sketch Sophia had casually left there years ago.

Sophia stood there, looking at Benjamin and Alice, and suddenly felt exhausted.

Not heartbroken. Just exhausted.

Like a play that had run for five years and was finally coming to its last act.

"Sophia, you're not upset, are you?" Alice watched her expression and asked carefully. "I really didn't mean anything by it. If it bothers you, I don't have to keep the dress. You can have it."

Sophia smiled. "No need. It was made to your measurements. It'll fit you better."

Benjamin had been quiet the whole time. He wasn't oblivious to the subtle showing-off in Alice's words — he just didn't think much of it. At most, it felt a little awkward.

Noticing Sophia's gaze drift to the gown, he said, "Did you find something for yourself?"

"Not yet."

Sophia turned and scanned the store, her eyes finally settling on the row of mannequins at the far end.

Several haute couture gowns hung there, each one with a price tag to match.

She walked over and looked through them one by one.

Benjamin was paying anyway, so she might as well pick something expensive.

She ended up choosing a mermaid-cut gown covered in tiny diamonds that caught the light and sparkled brilliantly.

"I'll take this one," she said.

The salesperson's eyes lit up. "Great choice," she said with a warm smile. "This is one of our limited edition pieces — only three in the world."

Sophia nodded, then glanced over at the jewelry counter. "Wrap up that set, too."

The salesperson followed her gaze and drew a sharp breath.

It was a full diamond set — necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring — glittering behind the glass case with a brilliance that was almost intimidating.

"Miss, the jewelry isn't available for rental, and the price might be..."

"I know." Sophia cut her off, her voice calm. "Add it all together."

The salesperson said nothing more and started writing up the bill. By then, Alice had also picked out her accessories and came to the counter.

The salesperson could barely contain her delight. She handed the receipt to Sophia. "Miss, your total comes to thirty-five million dollars. How would you like to pay?"

Sophia took the receipt without looking at it and pulled out the black card Benjamin had given her.

The salesperson ran it through the machine.

A red light came on.

She tried again.

Still red.

"Miss, this card..." The salesperson looked up, visibly uncomfortable. "It's not going through."

Sophia's hand stilled around the card. She turned and looked at Benjamin.

Benjamin's brow creased, and he was about to speak when Alice suddenly pressed a hand to her forehead. "Wait — is this the supplementary card from that black card you gave me before?"

She covered her mouth, looking genuinely embarrassed.

"I used it last time I went shopping and adjusted the limit on a whim. I just wanted to keep myself from overspending, so I lowered it — and then completely forgot to change it back."

She stuck out her tongue, looking like a child who'd done something wrong.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Brown. I had no idea Benjamin gave you the supplementary card. This is entirely my fault for not saying anything sooner."

Sophia looked at Benjamin without a word. His expression had gone tight.

He reached for his own wallet. Then Alice pouted softly and murmured, "That's thirty-five million dollars. Your project hasn't come through yet, has it? Ms. Lewis really doesn't think about you at all."

"It's fine. It's not that much."

"Don't bother." Sophia's voice was flat. "If the payment hasn't come through yet, then I really shouldn't be this extravagant. After all, a husband has to watch his spending for his wife — but he can't afford to be stingy with his mistress."

She turned to the assistant. "I don't want any of this anymore. Could you help me find something cheaper? A few tens of thousands of dollars should be fine."

Her tone was light, almost breezy — but it was enough to make the assistant's eyes go wide.

Wait. The woman on this man's arm isn't his wife? Is this woman?

So he had an expensive gown custom-made for his mistress, but won't pay for his wife's dress?

Benjamin was already angry. He grabbed Sophia's hand and pulled her aside. "I never said I wouldn't pay for you. That was a cruel thing to say."

Sophia shook him off. "Was it? I don't think so."

The salesperson had already brought over a gown in the price range she'd asked for.

"Miss, would this work?"

Sophia glanced at it and nodded. "That's fine. Ring it up." She took out her own card. "Use this."

As she passed Benjamin, she paused.

"Mr. White," she said, her voice carrying a sharp edge, "in the future, please be upfront about these things ahead of time. It saves everyone the embarrassment."

Then she walked away.

Benjamin stood there watching her go, a heavy, suffocating feeling rising in his chest that he couldn't quite name.

Alice came up beside him and gently tugged his sleeve.

"Benjamin, I really didn't mean for this to happen..."

Benjamin let out a slow breath. "It's not your fault."

---

Two days later, the banquet venue.

Sophia was dressed appropriately enough. But the evening belonged entirely to Alice.

She swept in wearing a deep wine-red gown, golden phoenixes shimmering across the skirt as she moved, and every eye in the room turned to her at once.