She belongs there

"Excuse me?"

Scarlet scoffed, crossing her arms. "Oh, don't tell me you don't recognize me now."

Ariana barely held back her instinct to say 'I don't,' but she stopped when she saw Scarlet's gaze flicker with something venomous—something that made it clear this was no ordinary exchange.

"What do people come to a restaurant for?" Ariana responded smoothly, her tone calm yet pointed. "To eat, of course."

Scarlet's sharp hazel eyes narrowed, but Ariana could already tell—she had gotten under her skin.

"That's not my point," Scarlet snapped, her voice laced with irritation. "Someone of your status couldn't have gotten a reservation here. And the way you're dressed... you're on a date, aren't you?"

Ariana's lips curved into a smirk, tilting her head slightly. "And what does that have to do with you?"

Scarlet's expression twisted in irritation. "Of course, it has everything to do with me," she said smugly, crossing her arms. "To ensure you don't fall into the wrong ways."

Ariana barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes.

At first, the exchange had only caught the attention of a few, but now... the entire entrance lobby had begun to take notice. Gentle whispers rippled through the elegant space.

Women in designer gowns and tailored suits cast intrigued glances at Ariana, their murmurs filling the air with quiet admiration.

"Who is she?"

"I've never seen her at these types of events before, but she looks absolutely breathtaking..."

"Her dress... It's exquisite!"

Scarlet noticed.

And she hated it.

Ariana could see the moment realization dawned in Scarlet's eyes—that she was not just standing before her cousin in some ordinary encounter. No.

Scarlet had found Ariana standing alone at the entrance of Great Fox Cuisines, effortlessly commanding attention.

And that... was unacceptable.

Her cousin couldn't accept that the once "ordinary" Ariana could outshine her."Wrong ways?" Ariana raised a brow, playing along. "Care to explain?"

Scarlet stepped forward, lowering her voice but making sure everyone could still hear her. "Yes. I've seen the way you look at this place, the way you dream of being in these circles. But this isn't a place for commoners like you."

Ariana's eyes darkened slightly, but she forced a laugh as if Scarlet's words were nothing more than mild entertainment to her.

Scarlet's lips curled. She thought she had won.

But Ariana wasn't going to make it that easy.

With effortless grace, Ariana took a slow step forward, tilting her head slightly, a knowing smile on her lips.

"And yet..." she began, her voice smooth, deliberate, "I'm standing here. Not as a spectator, not as an outsider, but as someone who belongs. Unlike you, I don't have to inherit my way in. I simply... arrive."

The gasps around them were audible.

Scarlet stiffened. "What did you say?"

Ariana's smile didn't falter. "Oh, did I speak too fast?" she mused, tapping her chin playfully. "Let me slow it down—I'm here, Scarlet. And I'm here because I earned my place, not because I was handed it."

The whispers grew louder, intrigued by the tension crackling between them.

Scarlet's face darkened, but before she could retort, Ariana continued, her voice softer this time—dangerously soft.

"You said this place is only for the elite?" She stepped closer, her confidence never wavering. "Then tell me, Scarlet—what does that make me?"

Scarlet opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Ariana didn't give her a chance to recover. She turned slightly, letting the light catch the delicate shimmer of her sapphire gown, the sheer elegance radiating from her presence.

And then—the finishing move.

With an effortless smile, she whispered just loud enough for Scarlet to hear,

"You don't recognize me, do you?"

Scarlet blinked, her confidence wavering.

"What?"

Ariana simply turned back toward the entrance, just as Luiss returned, his presence commanding as ever. His gaze swept over the scene, catching the tension in an instant.

Scarlet's expression crumbled.

Because now, as Luiss casually walked to Ariana's side, standing tall, refined, and powerful, it became painfully clear:

Ariana wasn't just a guest at Great Fox Cuisines.

She had arrived with Luiss.

And there was nothing Scarlet could do about it.

With a glance at Scarlet's stunned expression, Luiss leaned toward Ariana, his voice low and unreadable.

"Problem?"

Ariana smiled, not breaking eye contact with Scarlet. "Not anymore."

Scarlet swallowed hard, her jaw clenching.

She had lost.