Chapter 1

Brittany bought a new villa, and with a smug look, she invited all our colleagues to her place for a party.

"My husband's birthday gift to me this year was a villa! I invite all of you for a party this weekend!"

Looking at the photos of Brittany's luxurious mansion, a colleague exclaimed,

"That crystal chandelier is absolutely gorgeous!"

I leaned in for a closer look, and my heart sank.

Wasn't that the wedding gift my father gave me?

Brittany continued to brag, "My husband even hired a French designer to custom-make a crystal tea set for me."

I stared blankly at my phone, at the message my fiancé had just sent me:

"Chloe, I found a crystal tea set. It matches the crystal chandelier in our villa perfectly."

Was it just a coincidence?

Looking at Justin's message, I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Hearing my laugh, Brittany shot me a dismissive glance.

"Some people just love to be jealous when they don't have things themselves."

Brittany was notorious in the office for being a gold-digger. Recalling how Justin always showered me with care and affection, I couldn't help but doubt myself.

Had I misjudged him?

I put on an act of extreme admiration, taking the phone from Brittany's hand.

On closer inspection, it was indeed my villa.

But this villa was my dad's wedding gift to me. Justin had always said it was still under renovation. How had it suddenly become Brittany's villa?

Seeing me staring intently at her phone, Brittany glared at me as if I were an idiot, then snatched her phone back.

"Chloe, you could stare at it for ten hours, and you still couldn't afford it."

Sarah, a colleague next to me, chimed in, echoing Brittany's mockery.

"Brittany, you're amazing! I heard you found a great husband. Villas in the Clear Creek district are famously expensive, and he still bought you one. Us regular folks, we'll probably never earn enough for a house in our lifetime."

Brittany covered her mouth with a fake smile.

"My husband just can't shake his habit of overspending."

As she spoke, Brittany showed off another photo, this time of a crystal tea set.

"A few days ago, I casually mentioned to my husband that I wanted a crystal tea set, and he immediately had one custom-made for me in France. Ugh, men, always wasting money."

Brittany took a delicate sip from her coffee cup, uttering words of disdain, but a proud smirk involuntarily flickered in her eyes.

I shrugged indifferently, a look of contempt on my face.

Clearly, this was the reaction Brittany wanted to see.

"Chloe, what's with that look?"

Suppressing my anger, I feigned a look of regret.

"I saw a similar crystal chandelier in a magazine. The same brand also has a crystal decorative sculpture, meant for the entryway. It's truly stunning."

I paused deliberately, scrutinizing Brittany from head to toe, then shook my head.

"Too bad it's super expensive, and a limited edition."

Sarah quickly searched online and gasped.

"Oh my gosh, it's gorgeous! It would totally elevate any home!"

Of course. That was my best friend's masterpiece.

That set of crystal sculptures was originally meant for me, but I found it too extravagant and didn't accept it.

I glanced at Brittany beside me. Noticing that everyone's attention had shifted from her crystal tea set, she flushed with anger. I almost burst out laughing.

"We've already paid the deposit for that crystal sculpture set. The manufacturer just said there was a slight flaw and it needed some retouching."

Brittany unconsciously raised her voice, once again capturing everyone's attention.

"Really? Then let's have the party at your place! I'd love to see that masterpiece by a top designer!"

"I can't wait! I've never been to such a high-end place before!"

"That's a famous wealthy neighborhood. Looks like Brittany's family background is seriously impressive."

…

I clapped my hands casually, staring straight at Brittany, who was now beaming from all the flattery.

I was looking forward to it too.

Looking forward to finding out what exactly was going on.