Chapter 2

Apologize? I almost laughed out loud.

"Why should I apologize?" I stood up. Even though Olivia was wearing high heels, I still towered over her.

I stepped closer, my aura so strong that Olivia instinctively took a step back. "Edward, have you forgotten? I'm your fiancée.

"You're flirting with another woman right in front of me, and you want me to apologize to her?

"What gives you the right?" My voice wasn't loud, but every word hit like a hammer.

He probably never expected that the Sophia who used to be so obedient would suddenly stand up to him. "Sophia, stop making a scene." He finally managed to squeeze out after a long pause.

"Making a scene?" I let out a crisp, cold laugh. "Edward, two years ago, when I went abroad, you said you'd wait for me. I believed you.

"Over the past two years, I called you countless times. How many times did you actually pick up? How many messages did you bother to reply to?

"You said you were busy, and I believed you.

"But now, are you telling me all that 'busy' meant you were busy flirting with other women?"

I turned my icy gaze to Olivia, who was still clinging to Edward. "Ms. Quinn, that perfume you're wearing is Blue Mist, right?

"It costs one thousand dollars and is supposed to be a budget version of Deep Sea Heart.

"Too bad the perfumer was out of their depth. The citrus top notes and the ocean middle notes don't blend well. It smells like something straight out of a bargain bin.

"What really makes me sick isn't the perfume. It's you."

Olivia's face went from pale to red, then to green. Her expression was a whole drama in itself.

She probably never thought I'd even know what brand of perfume she wore.

The way people looked at me shifted. There was no longer sympathy or waiting for drama. They had a touch of awe and fear in their eyes.

That was right. Fear.

Everyone in the Capitavia Inner Circle knew I, Ms. Sophia James, came from a powerful family, was stunningly beautiful, and was a master perfumer.

At fifteen, I took home the gold at an international perfume competition. By eighteen, I founded my own perfume label. In the industry, I was practically a living legend.

But after falling ill these past two years, I'd gradually faded from everyone's view.

This time, the legend was back. And with a few words, I tore off Olivia's sweet and classy act.

"You're making things up!" Olivia was trembling with rage, tears glistening in her eyes. "Ms. James, I know you don't like me, but you can't trash me like that.

"A lot of people wear this perfume. How could it be low quality?"

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

I scanned the room, my gaze landing on the heiress who'd complimented Olivia's dress. "Ms. Warren, you're wearing the perfume I gave you for your birthday last year, Summer Breeze, right?"

The lady I called paused, then nodded. "Yeah, that's right, Sophia."

"So, do you think Ms. Quinn's perfume smells good?"

Her face turned awkward. She glanced at Olivia, then at me, stammering for a moment before finally giving up.

I smiled. "Ms. Warren, be honest. Your nose is way sharper than some people's eyes."

My words were pointed, and Edward's face grew even darker.

The lady bit her lip, finally mustering up the courage to say in a small voice, "It's a bit harsh."

Her words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples through the crowd. People started whispering among themselves.

"I knew it! I thought that scent was weird from the start."

"Yeah, it's nothing compared to the perfumes Sophia used to make."

"Olivia really thinks she's the main character because she put on a fancy dress."

Olivia's face crumpled, tears streaming down like a broken string of pearls.

She clung to Edward's arm, sobbing her heart out. "Edward, I didn't mean it. I didn't know Ms. James didn't like this scent."

Edward pulled her into his arms, comforting her softly.

Then he looked up at me, his eyes full of disappointment. "Sophia, I never thought you'd turn out like this.

"You're so bitter, so harsh, so overbearing. You're nothing like the person you used to be."

"People change," I said, my gaze calm and steady. "Just like you. You've changed so much, and I can barely recognize you.

"At least the Edward I used to know understood what decency meant."

Edward's fists clenched so hard his knuckles cracked, veins bulging on his forehead. I'd hit a nerve, and he was furious. "Sophia, shut up!"

Just then, Lucas, who'd been silent the whole time, suddenly stepped forward. He stood in front of me, frowning. "Hey, Sophia, maybe take it down a notch."

There was a hint of disapproval in his voice. "Olivia didn't do it on purpose, Sophia. Why are you being so harsh?"

I looked at him, the friend I grew up with.

When we were kids, he'd always follow me around, calling me "Sophia" in that cute little voice.

If anyone ever tried to mess with me, he'd be the first to throw himself into the fray for me.

But then, he was turning against me for a stranger.

My heart felt like it was being pricked by a thousand needles, sharp, relentless pain.

"Lucas," I called his name, my voice tight. "Do you really think this is my fault?"

Lucas avoided my gaze, saying nothing. But his silence said it all.

I took a deep breath, forcing down the storm of emotions inside me.

Perfect. So, Olivia'd been scheming these past two years. Not only did she turn my fiancé against me, but even my friend had ended up in her camp.

Suddenly, it all felt pointless. This whole welcome party was nothing but a farce from beginning to end.

I was supposed to be the main character, but instead, I was a clown on display for everyone's amusement.