Chapter 2

Sophie suddenly changed the subject, her smile bright and full of gossip.

She said, "I heard she's got a boyfriend outside of school. Clarissa's really devoted, you know. Every single weekend, I see her getting into the same Maybach."

With each sentence, the people around shot Clarissa even more contemptuous glances.

Sophie said, "Clarissa, you have no idea. Back in college, I was honestly so envious of you.

"Oh, are you still seeing that guy with the Maybach? Should I invite both of you to my upcoming wedding with Patrick?"

Sophie and I really were college roommates.

But I never thought her bitterness toward me could simmer for so many years.

I flashed a cool smile and spoke with deliberate ease.

"He's no longer my boyfriend," I replied.

My words had barely left my lips when the room erupted in hushed whispers.

"Bet she got busted for being the mistress and the wife found out and gave her hell," someone snickered.

"Or maybe she just dumped him? First thing you do after making it is cut ties with your old lover," another chimed in.

I ignored the snide remarks swirling around me and slowly lifted my left hand for everyone to see.

"He's my husband now," I replied coolly.

I locked eyes with Sophie, making sure she caught every word. "By the way, my husband is Mr. Chapman, the CEO of the Chapman Group, in case you didn't know."

"So you're saying your husband is Mr. Chapman? Mind if I ask which Mr. Chapman you mean, exactly?" someone interjected.

As soon as the words were spoken, the office fell into a heavy silence.

But it didn't last long before Annabell's shrill voice cut through the quiet.

"Clarissa, are you out of your mind?" Annabell snapped. "Sophie's just being polite, and you act like you're some big shot?

"Keep bragging your husband is Mr. Chapman. Why not just say you're the Queen of Heaven?"

Emma Brooks jumped in right away, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Exactly. Flashing some cheap, flea-market ring and acting like you're some high-class lady? Please, know your place.

"That piece of junk you're wearing? You think it can even compare to Sophie's Desert Heart? You're not even worthy to shine her shoes."

Before anyone could react, Emma suddenly yanked my hand, showing it off to the crowd.

"Guys, check this out. Clarissa shamelessly claims this pathetic little diamond ring is Mr. Chapman's wedding ring. Can you believe it? This is hilarious." Emma jeered.

I held back my anger and retorted, "You don't get it. This isn't just any ring. It's the Chapman family's heirloom. It means everything."

Emma let out a mocking laugh.

"Your story just keeps getting crazier. The Chapman family is legit old money, like they'd ever use a ring this basic as their family heirloom."

As she spoke, Emma grabbed Sophie's hand and showed it off to everyone, waving it around like she was parading a prize.

"Take a good look. This massive rock on Sophie's finger is what a real rich wife should be wearing. That little thing you have? It's honestly embarrassing, you shouldn't even bother showing it," Emma mocked.

Sophie glided over, wearing a mask of gentle grace and acting like the bigger person, trying to play peacemaker.

Sophie said, "Alright, I get it. Clarissa's just struggling with the reality check, so she's spouting nonsense.

"Back in college, she was like a star everyone adored, always surrounded by admirers. She's never had to deal with being snubbed like this.

"But Clarissa, this isn't campus life anymore. It's time to face reality and stop clinging to the past.

"Promotions aren't about pretending in front of the editor-in-chief or schmoozing with the bosses over a few dinners. At the end of the day, it's all about what you truly bring to the table.

"Alright, that's enough, everyone. Let's break it up and get back to work."

"Sophie is seriously gorgeous and so kind. Even after everything Clarissa's done, she's still covering for her," someone gushed.

Another chimed in, "Exactly. Unlike someone who thinks just because the editor-in-chief gave her a few extra glances and made her a team leader, she's suddenly the boss.

"She's acting like she has real authority when it's just a flimsy title. If I even think about leaving a bit early, they grill me like I committed a crime."

"Honestly, I have no idea what Clarissa's got going for her. All she does is suck up to the bosses. She's useless at everything else. Does she really think she can compete with Sophie for the editor-in-chief spot?" someone scoffed.

"Please, a phony is still a phony. Even if she manages to climb up using shady tricks, she'll never be able to beat Sophie," another sneered.

"That's what we call the gap. She's got the skills and the connections. Clarissa, doesn't that just piss you off?" someone taunted.

Everyone crowded around me, all talking at once, their taunts hitting me right where it hurt.

That was it. Whatever pity I had left for Sophie was gone for good.

I called out to Sophie just as she was about to return to her seat, my voice icy.

I said, "Since you want to talk about the past, why don't we lay it all out? Who was the real social climber here, always cozying up to anyone with power?

"And who nearly didn't graduate because she tried to bribe the advisor and the homeroom teacher?"

We shared a dorm room for four years in college.

Trust me, I saw every sneaky move she pulled. None of her underhanded tricks ever slipped by me.

On my first day at the office, Sophie pulled me aside, crying and begging me not to tell anyone about her shady college past.

I thought, hey, finding a job wasn't easy for anyone, and those college squabbles were nothing serious.

No point in wrecking her life over it, so I kept my mouth shut.

Never thought she'd take advantage of my kindness and stab me in the back instead.