Once everyone sat down, they began requesting songs and singing.
Soon after, a group of attractive men and women entered. The crowd expertly picked their companions, and the atmosphere quickly turned lively.
Heather leaned toward me with a smile. “Sophia, why don’t you pick a handsome man?”
I smiled back. “I’ve been a vegetarian lately—no appetite for meat.”
Gabriel shot me a cold look. “You can choose. I’ll allow it.”
I said nothing. The truth was, their private room was the lowest tier in the Onyx Society, and the so-called princes and princesses here were hardly the crème of the crop.
They started talking about people in their circle—how someone from the Wang family was about to be promoted, or how someone from the Lancaster Family might soon become a provincial governor.
At the end of each conversation, Heather would turn to me. “Sophia, do you understand what we’re talking about?”
“I don’t,” I replied, shaking my head.
In fact, I’d met every person they mentioned, especially the one from the Lancaster Family—he had even asked me to introduce him to someone with higher standing. But there was no point in mentioning it.
Later, they decided to play Truth or Dare, and Gabriel insisted I join.
I was awful at it, and the dice were against me, so I kept losing.
Gabriel frowned at me. “Why don’t you know anything?”
“I don’t play often,” I said with a shrug. “Of course I’m bad at it.”
He sat across from me with Heather, looking every bit at the couple.
“Truth or Dare?” he asked.
“Truth,” I said, though inwardly I found the game dull.
Heather leaned in, eyes glinting. “Sophia, tell me honestly—are you jealous seeing me and Gabriel play together again?”
I thought about it seriously, then shook my head. “No.”
They all exchanged looks of disdain, Gabriel included.
“It’s petty for a woman to be jealous, but it’s hypocritical to deny it.”
“Yes, Sophia, everyone knows you’re jealous. Every time Gabriel and Heather play, you two fight.”
“If you won’t even tell the truth, what’s the point of the game?”
Their voices overlapped in criticism.
“I’m really not jealous,” I said helplessly. “Believe it or not.”
Pa! Gabriel slammed the table, pointing at me. “What’s with your attitude? Is that how you talk to my friends?”
I smiled bitterly. “Alright, I’m jealous.”
Let’s just say this game was pointless—because even if I told the truth, they wouldn’t believe it. These people were narrow-minded, clinging to their own version of reality.
Satisfied, Gabriel said, “Continue.”
In the next round, I avoided losing, but Gabriel didn’t.
“I choose dare,” he said.
Heather’s lips curled. “Gabriel, kiss the person you love most in your life.”
All eyes turned to me, their smiles sharp.
For a second, I considered playing along, maybe looking nervous for effect.
Gabriel glanced at me, then hesitated. And hesitation already meant his answer wasn’t me.
I felt a pang, but I could accept it.
Heather pointed at her cheek. “Come on, Gabriel. I know you want to kiss me.” She threw me a provocative look.
Gabriel stared at me, as if waiting for a reaction.
“Don’t keep Heather waiting,” I said calmly. “Go on and kiss her.”
“Are you insane?” he snapped, suddenly standing. “I love my mom the most. She’s not here, so I’ll drink.”
He downed a glass of wine, then glared at me as though I’d done something wrong.
I was his girlfriend, sitting across from him, yet he’d hesitated—that said enough about where I stood in his heart.
So why was he glaring at me?
Heather changed the subject. “The owner of the Onyx Society is mysterious, with an incredible network. Sophia, I’ll introduce you someday. Maybe he can get you into some respectable deals.”
Introducing me to myself? I nearly laughed out loud, but restrained myself and nodded politely.
Gabriel added coldly, “Sophia, you may not belong in my circle, but I can still help you with my connections.”
As if I’d ever relied on his family’s resources. But I didn’t argue—there was no point. They wouldn’t believe me anyway.
Just then, the door opened and a stern-looking man in a black suit stepped in, his long hair tied neatly, his presence sharp and commanding.
“Manager Gabriel?” Heather rose quickly. “What brings you here?”
Quentin Grant nodded politely, then walked straight toward me. Bowing slightly, he said, “Madam Sophia, the financial matter has been resolved, and all outstanding taxes have been paid. You have nothing to worry about.”
