“Amber, you’ve outdone yourself! Marrying Mr. Herault? And here of all places?! Wow.”
“I can’t believe you kept this a secret! The CEO of the International Group of Companies! What a match.”
“Our little Amber, finally making it to the top. Don’t forget us when you’re a high-society queen!”
Even our old high school science teacher, Wilma Rudolph, was there, practically gushing. “Amber, I always knew you were destined for big things. That’s why I never pressured you in class. I mean, a girl like you doesn’t need grades when she has natural charm!”
Amber was loving it, smiling bigger with every compliment, looking like she was the star of a Hollywood movie.
I stayed at the back, bitterness swirling inside me as I clenched my purse. Amber’s words from the live stream replayed in my mind, and now seeing her, acting all perfect, only made my blood boil.
I wasn’t going to make a scene—at least, not yet. I needed to stay calm.
But staying calm was harder than I thought.
As I moved closer, the atmosphere shifted. The people who’d been fawning over Amber just seconds ago now turned their attention to me, their faces twisting from curiosity to disdain.
One of Amber’s little followers stepped forward, her eyes darting to the black sports car parked behind me. She sneered. “Elliana, really? Renting a luxury car to show off at Amber’s wedding? That’s desperate, even for you! Pff.”
The others joined in with their mocking comments.
“No wonder you’re here. Trying to steal the spotlight, huh?”
“Let me guess— you borrow it from a friend.”
“Some people just don’t know when to quit. As if pretending to be rich can ever compare to Amber’s real-life fairytale!”
I held my ground, not letting their words get to me. “It’s not borrowed,” I said, keeping my tone calm. “It’s my car.”
The group fell silent for a moment, their faces unreadable.
Then Amber’s voice cut through the air. “Your car? Huh!”
I barely had time to react before her hand swung through the air and slapped me across the face. The sting was instant, my cheek burning from the hit.
Amber’s face twisted with rage. “Don’t you dare lie to me! That’s Darren’s car—my fiancé’s sports car!”
The crowd gasped. Whispers rippled through the room.
“I knew Darren was seeing someone behind my back,” Amber spat. “But I didn’t think it was you, bitch! You shameless tramp! Driving his car to my wedding? Are you here to taunt me?”