Chapter 2

Chloe’s eyes welled with tears instantly. "Avery, I’m so sorry! I just thought... it’s just a casual lunch, but you’re in full glam and dressed in haute couture. You just look so out of place with the rest of us."

"I get it, though. You come from old money, you were raised this way."

"It’s my fault for saying anything."

Julian immediately stepped in to protect her, glaring at me. "Avery, you overdo everything. Can’t you just relax for once when we’re eating together?"

I let out a dry laugh. "I just came straight from the airport after seeing off the executive from Apex Global."

"Enlighten me, Julian. How was I supposed to dress when meeting a corporate client?"

Julian’s expression froze as the realization hit him, his face falling completely.

His friends scrambled to smooth things over.

"Hey, she dresses up to look stunning! Nothing wrong with that!"

"Exactly, it's nice to look at! Julian, don't take it for granted!"

"Right? My mom has worn makeup around the house for decades, I've literally never seen her bare face!"

Chloe let out a theatrical snort. "Doesn't that feel like living behind a mask? It sounds so exhausting!"

"Unlike me. When I'm slammed with work, I don't even have time to do my hair. I just throw on an oversized tee, denim shorts, and walk out the door!"

Her blatant attempt at "pick-me" comparison was utterly pathetic.

I glanced at her meticulously blended "no-makeup" makeup look and offered a cold, silent smirk.

Julian cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Alright, let's get the food served!"

"I ordered the steamed grouper specifically for you, Avery. Try it."

"And the seafood platter."

I nodded and picked up my fork to taste a bite. The flavor was decent.

Julian had the staff crack open the king crab, and a server stood beside me, carefully shelling the meat for my plate.

Chloe arched a brow. "You guys eat way too delicately. Seafood is meant to be eaten with your bare hands! That's the only way it actually tastes good!"

"Just like last night—we had crawfish together, and the spicy sauce was everywhere!"

She suddenly slapped a hand over her mouth, glancing at me with exaggerated guilt. "Oh gosh, I am so sorry! I got totally carried away eating last night and completely forgot it was your anniversary."

"I told Julian today was on me because I didn't want you overthinking things."

"Avery, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted Julian to decompress."

I put down my fork, smiled warmly at her, and replied, "Of course. Actually, I should thank you. Because of your little dinner date, the Vance family lost an eight-figure contract. A contract that my family happily scooped up."

Julian turned paper-white, fury flashing in his eyes.

Chloe looked utterly embarrassed and gasped, "Tens of millions?! But you two are married! Why are you still talking about your family versus his?!"

"Even in marriage, my money is my money, and his money is his. We signed an ironclad prenup."

"I don't expect you to understand. After all, you're just the housekeeper's daughter. It’s natural you wouldn't know that old-money families always protect their assets."

"When it comes to gold-diggers trying to climb the social ladder through our families, we never show mercy."

"Isn't that right, Julian?"

Julian's face turned dark. "Enough! Have you said quite enough?!"

"Fine! I didn't want to spend our anniversary with you, so I blew it off on purpose!"

"You act so high and mighty, but you just got lucky being born into the right family! Cut the passive-aggressive bullshit!"

I nodded calmly. "You're right. Being born well is a stroke of luck, and she clearly didn't have it."

Chloe broke into full-blown tears. "Avery..."

"Don't call me Avery like we're close. I'm an only child, and I don't have sisters."

Chloe's face shifted through every shade of red and white before she finally hissed, "Ms. Sterling, you don't need to look down on me from your ivory tower!"

"Julian isn't happy with you at all! You didn't know, did you? On your wedding night, he called me and we talked on the phone until sunrise!"