Abby couldn''t help blurting out, "Wait, Aurora has close girlfriends?"


    Neville arched an eyebrow. "Why wouldn''t she? Her friends are all daughters of prominent families-just as beautiful and talented as she is."


    Abby looked surprised. "Really? I always thought someone like Aurora-the socialite everyone talks about—would never befriend anyone who might outshine her."


    Candida frowned, puzzled. "But why not?"


    Abby exined, "People naturallypare themselves to others. The star always needs a few supporting actors, right? Especially someone who cares so much about status-if her friends are more outstanding than she is, she''d lose her crown as the queen bee."


    Nevilleughed. "You''re not wrong. Plenty of privileged girls surround themselves with less impressive friends to make themselves look better. But Aurora isn''t like that. Do you know why?"


    Ste spoke up before anyone else could answer. "Because she''s genuinely confident."


    Neville nodded. "Exactly. Aurora knows who she is no matter how aplished her friends are, she''s never afraid they''ll overshadow her. Besides, your inner circle says a lot about your own taste. If the most admired woman in town only hung out with dull or in friends, people would just question her judgment. In fact, having impressive friends only adds to her own reputation-it makes her shine even brighter.


    She''s got three close friends, all remarkable in their own right."


    Antoney suddenly asked, "Is Florrie Watson one of them?"


    Neville shot him a look. "Florrie? Not really. They''re friendly, but I wouldn''t call her one of Aurora''s best friends."


    Antoney''s shoulders rxed, visibly relieved.


    As the group chatted, a few more people filtered into the auction hall.


    While Abby nced around the room, she muttered under her breath, "I should''ve


    stayed home today. I keep running into people I''d rather avoid."


    Ste followed her gaze and spotted Haynes, Rachel, Jasper, and Foreman entering together.


    Ste was caught off guard. While Foreman was close friends with Haynes and Jasper, he usually steered clear of any event where Rachel might be present. Seeing him here today was a genuine surprise.


    Almost as if he sensed her attention, Foreman''s eyes met Ste''s. He hesitated


    for a second, then offered a gentle nod and a faint, warm smile.


    Jasper, walking beside Foreman, noticed the exchange and couldn''t help teasing, "Who are you giving those puppy eyes to, Foreman? That''s the softest smile I''ve seen from you all year."


    But when Jasper looked up, his own face fell. "Oh, for crying out loud! What''s Ste doing here?!"


    His outburst caught Haynes''s attention. He stopped in his tracks. "Ste?"


    Jasper pointed across the room. "She''s right over there-don''t tell me she''s scheming against me again."


    He used to think running into Ste meant some mischief was about to go down, and if he hadn''t had the chance to mess with her in a white, he''d even go out of his way to find her. Now, though, just seeing her made him feel like a storm cloud was hanging over his head-he wanted nothing more than to steer clear of the woman who seemed to bring him nothing but bad luck.


    Ste had truly rattled him. Even Rachel had warned him to give Ste a wide berth.


    Haynes followed Jasper''s gaze and saw Ste standing with her friends. His expression darkened slightly.


    Rachel, who had also noticed Ste''s group, made a casual remark. "Ever since Ms. Cameron met Mr. Burton, she''s changed-she walks with so much more confidence now, doesn''t she?"