Over at the Nicholsons' that afternoon. "Dahlia, are you
going to Miss Hummer's birthday party this evening? Can you bring me
along?" James asked excitedly when he saw the invitation on the table.
She was, after all, the daughter of Edwin Hummer, the richest man in the
country. It would be beneficial to make acquaintances with such a person.
"I will be attending the birthday party, but the invitation is limited to
two persons only. Julie has already called dibs on it." Dahlia cast a
damp over James' enthusiasm. "Her?" Displeased, James turned to look at
Julie, who was on the couch applying makeup to her face. "Dahlia, I'm
your brother! How could you bring her, and not me?" He grumbled. At that,
Julie shot him a glare and said condescendingly, "And what can you do
there? Everyone attending the party tonight will be people of status and
elites. Wouldn't a high school dropout like you just embarrass yourself
showing up there?" "Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Do you think that
you're all that great?" James was irked. "Better than you, at least."
Julie wasn't one to back off easily. "You!" James was just about to burst
into a fit of anger when Florence stopped him just in time. "That's
enough. Julie's our quest, you should play nice. I think it'd be a good
opportunity for her to make good connections at the party this evening
since she's fresh out of college. Let her go with Dahlia." "Do you hear
that? If I manage to befriend Miss Hummer, I'd be on the highway to
success! When the time comes, I'll make sure you benefit from it too!"
Julie said with her head held high. "Hah! You? I'd be better off relying
on mysel!!" James plopped down on the couch, obviously feeling indignant.
Ever since Julie came, all the attention had been shifted to her. He felt
that he was now out of favor. "Ah, right, Dahlia, I nearly forgot."
Florence seemed to recall something as she rummaged around in her bag. In
the end, she pulled out an Intricate jewelry box. "This is a present that
Matt gifted you two days ago. Since you're attending the party today, I
think you can put this to good use. Have a look." As she spoke, she
opened up the jewelry box. There was a pair of ruby earrings in it.. The
earrings were exquisite and delicate. They were dazzling under the
light's Illumination. "Wow! It's spectacular!' 1/3 Julie's eyes lit up as
she scrambled to get up. She pulled the jewelry box over for a better
look at the earrings. Aunt Florence, such gorgeous earrings must cost a
bomb, won't they?" "I heard Matt mention that these are Pandarum
earrings, and they are custom–made. This is the only pair in the whole of
Swinton. It costs millions, Florence announced proudly. "Is that so? As
expected, only the best from Matt!" Julie beamed as she picked up one of
the earrings and put it on. "Aunt Florence, how does it look on me?"
"You're a born beauty, Julie. Of course, it looks magnificent on you,"
Florence answered. "Hehe! Well, thank you then, Aunt Florence!" Julie
brazenly took the other earring and put it on too. It was evident that
she was about to take it as her own. Her actions gave Florence quite a
shock. "Julie, this is your cousin's gift from Matt. It wouldn't be too
nice for you to wear it tonight." Florence chuckled awkwardly. "What's
wrong with me wearing it? I'm just borrowing it for the night, it's not
like I'm not going to give it back." Julie snapped bluntly. "But"
Florence was about to counter what she just said, but Julie cut her off.
"Aunt Florence, we're relatives. You can't be so petty, can you?" "Julie
Amberson! These are my sister's earrings! What rights do you have to wear
them?" James finally could not take it any longer. She said that she was
just borrowing them, but the fact was, she had never once returned the
items she borrowed! This was plain robbery! "Hey! Why are you shouting at
me? Isn't it just a pair of earrings? Aren't you just being selfish?"
Julie slammed her hand on the table aggressively. "I'm selfish? Do you
have any idea how greedy you look right now? Do you have no shame?" James
bellowed. "How dare you scold me? Aunt Florence! Did you hear what James
said? I can leave if I'm not welcome here!" Julie flared up. And with
that, she turned to leave. But before she could even take her first step,
Florence pulled her back. "What are you doing, Julie? Of course, you're
welcome here! Aren't they just a pair of earrings? I'll lend them to
you!" "Mom! You-!" "Shut it!" Florence whipped around and shot him a
glare. "You're her older cousin! Why do you keep picking fights with her?
Can't you be more generous?" "Fine! Keep siding with her then. See if
I care!" James was so angry that he stormed out and slammed the door.
Dahlia frowned. It wasn't the earrings that she was concerned about, but
Julie's domineering attitude did not sit well with her. "Dahlia, you do
not mind me wearing your earrings, do you?" Julie smiled as she touched
the earrings gently. "It's up to you." Dahlia could not be bothered to
continue speaking to her. To begin with, she was not comfortable with
Matt's gift to her. "Hehe! Thank you, Dahlia." Julie beamed brightly as
she continued applying her makeup. That evening at Kingdom Hotel, a black
Mercedes–Benz rolled up to the main entrance. The door opened, and Dahlia
and Julie got out of the car. Dahlia dressed down for the occasion in a
black dress and black heels. She kept her accessories simple too. Julie,
on the other hand, went all out and dressed herself up, almost looking
like a peacock. She had jewelry from head to toe and looked dazzling
under the lights. To further accentuate the million–dollar pair of ruby
earrings, she even did her hair up in a chignon. She was out to be in the
limelight. "Wow! What a stunning lady! She looks like a celebrity!" "I
think she looks even more attractive than any celebrity out there! Her
looks and elegance are other–worldly." When the both of them got out of
the car, a bunch of guests at the entrance turned to look at them.
However, most of their attention was on Dahlia. Despite Julie's showy
appearance, she did not receive much attention After all, it was clear
that Dahlia was far superior to her in all aspects, from looks to
figures. Julie's extravagant outfit alone was not enough to make up for
what she lacked. "Hmph!" She was not pleased. She had made every
preparation she could think of for the birthday party that evening, and
she had expected to impress everyone with her beauty. It had never
occurred to her that Dahlia's presence would steal all the attention.
"These men are so blind! How could a woman who had been married before
compare to me?" She thought.