As I spoke, I stepped into the private room first.

But Gabriel suddenly nudged me from behind. When I turned, his expression was icy. “Sophia, what did you mean by that?”

“Gabriel, we’ve known each other since we were kids. You’re not really jealous, are you?” Heather chimed in, her tone dripping with mock concern. “Actually, it’s not her fault. She’s not like us—born into wealthy families. She doesn’t understand how we interact. It’s the class divide, really.”

Gabriel’s friends smiled politely, but every word they spoke reeked of condescension, treating me as if I were beneath them. I ignored their barbs and looked at Gabriel. “It’s nothing. Like you said, this is how your circle interacts. I may not understand it, but I respect it.”

Gabriel frowned. “Sophia, we’re adults. Stop making trouble.”

A sigh rose in my chest, but I only said, “Alright, I won’t make trouble. My fault.”

It wasn’t that I was weak—it’s that Gabriel, in this mood, wouldn’t listen to reason. He hadn’t always been this way. But since Heather came back, he’d grown more unreasonable.

His expression softened, and he spoke as if granting me a favor. “Sophia, if I hadn’t brought you here, you might never have stepped into the Onyx Society.”

I sat on the sofa, feigning curiosity. “Is it expensive? I’ve made some money over the years.”

Heather rested her hand on his shoulder and sneered, “It’s expensive, but that’s not the point. The Onyx Society isn’t just about money. You need status. Not the ordinary kind—you need something like ours.”

“I see. I’ve learned something new,” I replied with a small nod.

Then Gabriel seemed to think of something. “Wait, how did you even get in?”

Before I could answer, Heather scoffed, “Isn’t it obvious? She came with you. You must’ve used your name to get her in.”

“Sophia is practically a role model in the Canary World,” someone added with a smirk.

It was true—most women in such arrangements might get a few small luxuries, but Gabriel could give me something more: status. Once, it might have been like a fairy tale—an impoverished but talented girl chosen by the Crown Prince. Which would make me the Crown Princess, wouldn’t it?

Laughter rippled through the room.

Gabriel looked down at me and said, “I’ve told you before, my circle isn’t one you can fit into. If you keep forcing your way in, you’re just asking for trouble.”

“You’re right,” I said with a faint smile.

In the past, I would have been furious, eager to prove myself—only to earn more ridicule from Gabriel and his friends. They carried an inborn arrogance, as if convinced they were descended from royalty.

But Gabriel hadn’t always been like this. Back in school, there was no trace of superiority in him.

Now, I couldn’t be bothered to prove anything.

Because, as he sat there, taunting me and letting Heather cling to him, I felt something inside me break—not with anger, but with exhaustion.

It was a weariness that seeped into both body and mind.

I knew I still loved him. But I no longer wanted to.

It was like a game I’d once been eager to play—one I’d fought hard to win—but now I was too tired to keep going.

So I simply put the controller down and walked away in my mind.

That’s how I felt in that moment.

Once everyone sat down, they began requesting songs and singing.

Soon after, a group of attractive men and women entered. The crowd expertly picked their companions, and the atmosphere quickly turned lively.

Heather leaned toward me with a smile. “Sophia, why don’t you pick a handsome man?”

I smiled back. “I’ve been a vegetarian lately—no appetite for meat.”

Gabriel shot me a cold look. “You can choose. I’ll allow it.”

I said nothing. The truth was, their private room was the lowest tier in the Onyx Society, and the so-called princes and princesses here were hardly the crème of the crop.

They started talking about people in their circle—how someone from the Wang family was about to be promoted, or how someone from the Lancaster Family might soon become a provincial governor.

At the end of each conversation, Heather would turn to me. “Sophia, do you understand what we’re talking about?”

“I don’t,” I replied, shaking my head.

In fact, I’d met every person they mentioned, especially the one from the Lancaster Family—he had even asked me to introduce him to someone with higher standing. But there was no point in mentioning it.

Later, they decided to play Truth or Dare, and Gabriel insisted I join.

I was awful at it, and the dice were against me, so I kept losing.

Gabriel frowned at me. “Why don’t you know anything?”

“I don’t play often,” I said with a shrug. “Of course I’m bad at it.”

He sat across from me with Heather, looking every bit at the couple.

“Truth or Dare?” he asked.

“Truth,” I said, though inwardly I found the game dull.

Heather leaned in, eyes glinting. “Sophia, tell me honestly—are you jealous seeing me and Gabriel play together again?”

I thought about it seriously, then shook my head. “No.”

They all exchanged looks of disdain, Gabriel included.

“It’s petty for a woman to be jealous, but it’s hypocritical to deny it.”

“Yes, Sophia, everyone knows you’re jealous. Every time Gabriel and Heather play, you two fight.”

“If you won’t even tell the truth, what’s the point of the game?”

Their voices overlapped in criticism.

“I’m really not jealous,” I said helplessly. “Believe it or not.”

Pa! Gabriel slammed the table, pointing at me. “What’s with your attitude? Is that how you talk to my friends?”

I smiled bitterly. “Alright, I’m jealous.”

Let’s just say this game was pointless—because even if I told the truth, they wouldn’t believe it. These people were narrow-minded, clinging to their own version of reality.

Satisfied, Gabriel said, “Continue.”

In the next round, I avoided losing, but Gabriel didn’t.

“I choose dare,” he said.

Heather’s lips curled. “Gabriel, kiss the person you love most in your life.”

All eyes turned to me, their smiles sharp.

For a second, I considered playing along, maybe looking nervous for effect.

Gabriel glanced at me, then hesitated. And hesitation already meant his answer wasn’t me.

I felt a pang, but I could accept it.

Heather pointed at her cheek. “Come on, Gabriel. I know you want to kiss me.” She threw me a provocative look.

Gabriel stared at me, as if waiting for a reaction.

“Don’t keep Heather waiting,” I said calmly. “Go on and kiss her.”

“Are you insane?” he snapped, suddenly standing. “I love my mom the most. She’s not here, so I’ll drink.”

He downed a glass of wine, then glared at me as though I’d done something wrong.

I was his girlfriend, sitting across from him, yet he’d hesitated—that said enough about where I stood in his heart.

So why was he glaring at me?

Heather changed the subject. “The owner of the Onyx Society is mysterious, with an incredible network. Sophia, I’ll introduce you someday. Maybe he can get you into some respectable deals.”

Introducing me to myself? I nearly laughed out loud, but restrained myself and nodded politely.

Gabriel added coldly, “Sophia, you may not belong in my circle, but I can still help you with my connections.”

As if I’d ever relied on his family’s resources. But I didn’t argue—there was no point. They wouldn’t believe me anyway.

Just then, the door opened and a stern-looking man in a black suit stepped in, his long hair tied neatly, his presence sharp and commanding.

“Manager Gabriel?” Heather rose quickly. “What brings you here?”

Quentin Grant nodded politely, then walked straight toward me. Bowing slightly, he said, “Madam Sophia, the financial matter has been resolved, and all outstanding taxes have been paid. You have nothing to worry about.”