The grand ballroom of the Johnson family estate was alive with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft strains of a string quartet. It was the night of Jude and Mia's final engagement party before their highly anticipated wedding, and the Willow Creek elite had turned out in full force to celebrate the happy couple.
Sophia stood off to the side, her eyes scanning the opulent room with a mixture of awe and trepidation. She still felt out of place in this world of privilege and old money, despite the time she had spent with the Parkers.
As she made her way through the throngs of well-dressed guests, Sophia couldn't help but notice the occasional sideways glance or hushed whisper directed her way. It was clear that her presence was still a source of curiosity, if not outright disdain, for some of the more snobbish attendees.
