When the Warren family first heard that a partnership was being proposed, along with an invitation to the Smith family's private banquet, their immediate reaction was disbelief. It sounded far too good to be true, almost laughable. For a moment, they even suspected an elaborate scam.
Yet once the truth was confirmed, astonishment quickly gave way to elation. It was as though fortune, long indifferent to them, had finally turned its face in their direction.
The Smith family was no ordinary household. They were one of the most influential and powerful families—giants whose slightest decision could send tremors through the financial world. That such a family would extend an invitation to the Warrens was beyond anything they had ever dared imagine.
Roger wasted no time. He abandoned all prior commitments, booked the earliest flight to Vroiksey, and traveled with his wife and daughter in tow. He even transferred a generous sum of money to them, insisting they purchase suitable gifts and couture dresses worthy of the occasion. Appearances, after all, mattered.
What they had not anticipated, however, was encountering Katherine there.
She stood beneath the soft glow of the boutique lights, wearing a sequined mermaid gown that shimmered subtly with every movement. The fabric embraced her slender figure gracefully, reflecting light like stardust on water, while her skin seemed to glow with a quiet radiance.
This was not the Katherine they had imagined. She did not look destitute. Nor was she disheveled or desperate, as they had so confidently assumed she would be by now.
The sight ignited a fierce jealousy in Lilah's chest. Unable to restrain herself, she snapped, "Are you following us, Katherine?"
Ariella's face darkened as well. "You ungrateful little wretch! Why are you stalking us?"
Katherine didn't even bother to look at them properly. Her gaze remained cool, detached, as though they were nothing more than background noise. "You should get your heads examined," she said flatly.
That single sentence was enough to enrage them both. "What did you just say?!" Ariella shrieked.
They could scarcely believe it. In such a short time, Katherine had changed beyond recognition. The meek girl who once bowed her head and endured every insult without protest was gone.
Katherine had long since lost any reason to be courteous to people who thrived on pushing her limits. Her lips curved faintly as she replied, her tone edged with quiet mockery, "I knew you were always unreasonable. I didn't realize you'd gone deaf as well."
The words struck Ariella like a slap.
Only then did she truly realize— The Katherine she once controlled no longer existed.
Lilah, too, was momentarily stunned.
She had been certain that Katherine would come crawling back to the Warren family eventually, humbled by hardship and regret. Instead, Katherine looked as though she had shed them entirely, as though their opinions no longer carried the slightest weight.
Still, Lilah refused to believe it. She convinced herself that Katherine was merely pretending—putting on an act to preserve her dignity.
Determined to humiliate her in front of everyone, Lilah turned to the sales assistant, her expression softening into a practiced smile. "I'm so sorry," she said sweetly. "She's my relative. She's always been rather vain and loves trying on things far beyond her means. I'm afraid she's caused you trouble. There's no way she can afford that dress—I'll take it instead."
A flicker of confusion crossed the sales assistant's face. Inwardly, she wondered whether Lilah had lost her mind. Katherine had arrived with Callum, after all. There was no universe in which she couldn't afford the gown.
Meanwhile, Lilah, intoxicated by her own sense of superiority, proudly pulled out a golden membership card. She held it up as if displaying a trophy. "Oh, by the way," she said smugly. "You do need a membership card to shop here, you know. Did you even know that, Katherine? Zachary gave me this one himself. He even arranged for Katrine to design my wedding gown next month. You should come to the wedding too."
Zachary Blake. Katherine's former fiancé. Her childhood sweetheart. The man who had once sworn to stand by her side, no matter what the future held—only to abandon her the moment the real heiress of the Warren family returned.
Katherine nearly laughed. They truly believed Katrine would design a wedding gown for them?
Her eyes lifted slowly, cool and clear. "You're not qualified," she said simply.
Lilah's expression stiffened for a second before she recovered, letting out a low, mocking laugh. "So that's it? You're still bitter because Zachary chose me, aren't you? That's why you don't want to come."
For once, Katherine found herself speechless—not from hurt, but from disbelief. Lilah's stupidity was almost impressive.
Before she could reply, the shop assistant stepped forward politely. "Miss, I'm afraid your Platinum Card does not grant purchasing rights for 'Ethereal Dream'."
The words fell like ice.
Lilah stared at her, stunned, humiliation burning through her veins. "What are you talking about? The Blake family is the richest in Ontbert! If Zachary Blake's card isn't enough, then whose is?"
The assistant replied calmly, "Only Diamond Card holders or above are eligible."
Such as Callum's card.
Lilah found herself utterly speechless.
Ariella felt her dignity crumble. "So what if we don't have a Diamond Card? Do you really think she does?!" She glared fiercely at Katherine.
Katherine smiled faintly. Then, with graceful honesty, she nodded. "You're right. I don't have a Diamond Card either."