As Cheng and Mei walked through the crowd, whispers and murmurs followed them. Vivian's friends, Ava and Sophie, stood off to the side, their eyes fixed on Mei.
"Ugh, look at her," Ava said, her voice dripping with disdain. "She thinks she's so perfect with that fake smile and designer dress."
"I know, right?" Sophie replied, rolling her eyes. "And just take a look as she's clingy with Cheng. It's like she's trying to prove something."
Vivian's eyes narrowed as she watched Mei. She couldn't stand the way Mei seemed to effortlessly charm everyone in the room.
"She's just so... artificial," Ava continued, her voice full of venom. "I mean, who wears a necklace worth millions to a party?"
Sophie snorted. "Yeah, and she's probably got a fake personality to match that fake smile."
Vivian's anger simmered just below the surface. "You know, I wonder what Cheng sees in her that he didn't choose me, that bitch wouldn't know what's about to hit her so hard very soon" Vivian said, her voice low and icy.
Ava and Sophie laughed, but Vivian's gaze remained fixed on Mei. She couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction when she saw Mei stumble slightly on her heels.
But as Mei recovered with a smile, Vivian's annoyance grew. Vivian's eyes flashed with irritation, and she turned to Ava and Sophie.
"Let's not waste our breath on her," Vivian said, her voice barely above a whisper. "She's not worth it."
Ava and Sophie nodded in agreement, and the three of them turned their attention to other guests. But Vivian's eyes kept drifting back to Mei, her hate building up.
*************************************
"Business, darling," Cheng murmured to Mei, his voice low and husky. "I'll be back to claim you soon enough."
Lian's cheeks flushed slightly at his words, but Cheng notice it and smirk.
Cheng's smirk deepened as he watched Lian's reaction. He knew his words had an effect on him. With a final glance, he turned and walked away, leaving Lian alone
As Cheng walked into the crowd, Vivian's eyes followed him, her anger and resentment simmering just below the surface. She couldn't stand the way Mei seemed to fawn over Cheng, and she was convinced that Mei didn't deserve him and the only one who deserves him was HER.
"I'm going to get a drink," Vivian said to Ava and Sophie, her voice tight with tension. "Want to join me?"
Ava and Sophie nodded, ofcourse they knew what Vivian meant.
Vivian's eyes locked onto Mei, her gaze piercing as she approached her. Mei, sensing Vivian's presence, turned to face her. The air was charged with tension as Vivian's smile grew, her eyes flashing with challenge.
"Mei, darling," Vivian said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You look... stunning. For someone who's so clearly out of their league."
Mei's eyes narrowed, her smile faltering for a moment before she regained her composure as she stared at the strange woman.
"who the fuck goes a party and try to steal the spotlight from the owner of the event?" Sophie asked staring at her in disdain."
"who of course? If not this bitch standing right in front of us." Ava chripped in and trio began to laugh.
Vivian's laughter was low and husky. "Oh, I'm sure it is. I'm sure it's absolutely thrilling to be the flavor of the month for Cheng."
Vivian's smile grew wider. "Oh, I'm sure he can. But let's be real, Mei. You're just a passing fancy for him. He's been around the block a few times. He knows what he likes, and it's definitely not... fragile little things like you."
"How...amusing," Lian said, his voice low and monotone. "You're attempting to provoke me. How...predictable."
Vivian's smile faltered for a moment, taken aback by Mei's nonchalant response. "You think you're so perfect, don't you?" Vivian spat, her voice venomous.
Lian's gaze drifted to Vivian's hands, his eyes lingering on the tight fists clenched at her sides. "I'm not invested in your opinion," Lian said, her voice flat. "Your emotional instability is...fascinating, however i never forced Cheng to choose me maybe, you're too lame for him."
Vivian's face reddened with anger she never expected Mei to have no reaction at all, her words tumbling out in a furious rush. "You think you're better than me? You think you can just come into my life and steal Cheng from me?" Then she grabbed a glass of wine from a nearby table, splashing the contents onto Mei's designer gown.
As Vivian splashed the wine onto Mei's gown, Lian's eyes flashed with fury. She raised her hand, her fingers curled into a tight fist, ready to strike Vivian.