Sophia didn't care much either way. She wasn't particularly interested in SUNNY's fashion, mostly because she lived in athleisure for the convenience.
But Shirley was a different story. She genuinely adored the brand and was just putting up a brave front earlier.
The moment she got her hands on the invite, she dragged Sophia along to the event.
Entering the ballroom together, they spotted Claire and headed straight for her.
"Claire!"
Shirley was practically vibrating with excitement.
She didn't bother keeping her voice down, drawing several stares from the surrounding crowd.
Both girls were striking, carrying the undeniable polish of old money, which naturally attracted attention.
However, the local Apex elites quickly recognized them.
One was the fake heiress of the James family, and the other was the broke daughter
of the Pearce branch. They weren't worth a second glance.
Even for a marriage of convenience, neither was considered a viable catch anymore.
The onlookers quickly lost interest and looked away.
As for Sophia, she barely registered on anyone's radar.
The two girls who had clashed with Shirley, however, made a beeline straight for them.
"Shirley, what are you doing here?" They used to be her sidekicks, but now they clearly felt superior to her.
Naturally, they didn't waste a second before going on the offensive.
How could a ruined socialite possibly compare to them?
Their own families might not be the absolute peak of Apex high society, but they certainly had deep pockets.
Amelia chimed in with a fake smile. "Yeah, Shirley. When we asked you the other day, didn't you say you weren't coming?"
"I just assumed you couldn't get an invite."
Beatrice feigned shock. "How could you say that about Shirley? Everyone knows the James family used to run Apex. Even bankrupt, they must have some spare change lying around."
Their loud, synchronized banter made sure everyone in earshot knew exactly who Shirley was, even if they hadn't recognized her.
Ah, someone from the disgraced James family.
What was a bankrupt James doing
at a SUN
launch? Did they really
still have tens of thousands of
dollars to plow on a single dress?
Nothing at this event came cheap.
The most basic, discounted items in their stores might go for a few hundred dollars. But those pieces were completely banned from an exclusive new collection launch. The starting price for the cheapest dress here was easily five thousand dollars.
And that wasn't even a piece by the lead designer, Sunny.
An original creation by Sunny herself started at over fifteen thousand dollars.
After dragging Shirley, Amelia and Beatrice turned their sights on Claire.
"Claire's here too? You guys came together?"
"Shirley, I remember you used to hate Claire. When did you two get so close?"
"Is it because misery loves company?"
Both girls were conventionally attractive, but their vicious tongues ruined the picture.
"And who did you come with?" Claire asked, her tone conversational but laced with steet "Did you manage to spend a hundred grand to eam your invites?"
The smirks on their faces froze.
Of course they hadn't!
Combined, their shopping history wouldn't even come close to a fraction of that amount.
Amelia had only scored entry because her aunt, a fashion industry insider, had pulled some strings.
Bringing a plus-one to network was technically allowed.
"That's none of your business," Amelia snapped, defensive. "It's a miracle the two of you even sneaked in here."
"Shirley, we're not trying to lecture you, but you used to despise
her.
How did you stoop Soloway net
hang out with her now?
"Isn't Cindy your actual cousin?"
"If you were going to bring a plus-one, it should have been Cindy. Why are you dragging Claire around?"
Beatrice nodded. "Exactly, Shirley. You shouldn't let your standards drop this low."
Claire could see right through them; they were desperately trying to drive a wedge between her and Shirley.