Vivian didn’t rush in.
She stood at a polite distance first, quietly observing.
Mrs. Li was effortlessly graceful—
every gesture refined, every smile precise.
But as she spoke, her right forefinger occasionally touched her nose;
her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she avoided wine offered by waiters.
Her eyes wandered now and then toward the buffet table, searching for something.
Vivian caught on immediately.
She stopped a passing waiter.
“Could I get a cup of honey water, please?”
“Right away, miss.”
While waiting, she opened her phone and ordered a small parcel by express delivery—
a box of allergy medicine.
Ten minutes later, everything was ready.
She took the honey-grapefruit water and approached Mrs. Li with quiet confidence.
Mrs. Li had just declined another offer of champagne and turned to leave
when Vivian stepped forward, smiling.
“Mrs. Li, would you like some honey water? It helps with the alcohol.”
Mrs. Li blinked, surprised.
The first thing she saw were slender, clean fingers holding out the glass;
then she met a pair of gentle, intelligent eyes framed by a soft smile.
“Thank you,” she said, accepting it.
“I must admit—I am feeling a little tipsy.”
Vivian smiled and opened her purse again.
“You might also need this.”
Mrs. Li glanced down, startled by the small box of medicine.
Her brows lifted.
“How did you know I was having an allergic reaction?”
Vivian’s lips curved.
“I have allergic rhinitis myself. I noticed you touching your nose just now—
it looked exactly like how I get when something triggers me.”
Mrs. Li’s eyes softened in surprise and relief.
“You’re right. I haven’t had a flare-up in ages, but something here must be triggering it.
If my husband didn’t have a sudden meeting, I wouldn’t have stayed this long.”
She rubbed her reddening nose, sighing.
“Please, take one,” Vivian said, handing her a cup of water.
“It works pretty fast.”

From the second-floor balcony, Simon Min watched the exchange below, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
Across from him, Victor Wen chuckled.
“Not bad. That girl’s sharp—
already chatting with Mrs. Li like an old friend.”
“If her idol could hear you complimenting her like that, she’d probably faint from happiness,” Simon murmured.
“Idol?” Victor blinked, confused.
“What idol?”
Simon shot him a withering glance.
Victor raised his hands in surrender, baffled as ever.
What did I say this time?

Downstairs, Mrs. Li smiled appreciatively after taking the pill.
“You’re very thoughtful, dear. What’s your name?”
“I—”
“No need to remember her name!”
A shrill voice cut in from behind.
Summer Wen.
She wedged herself forward, nudging Vivian aside with her shoulder,
plastering on a fake smile.
“Mrs. Li! I’m Molly Wen, Huasheng Entertainment’s newest artist.
It’s such an honor to meet you in person!”
Mrs. Li’s expression cooled instantly.
She glanced past Summer toward Vivian, clearly about to speak—
but a flock of actresses had already rushed over.
The air filled with syrupy flattery.
“Mrs. Li, you look barely twenty! What’s your secret?”
“Is that Armani’s limited-edition gown? Stunning!”
“Oh my, your ring—ten carats at least, isn’t it?”
Mrs. Li, who had been growing weary, perked up at that last one.
She lifted her hand under the light, letting the massive diamond blaze like a star.
“This? My husband bought it for our twentieth anniversary.
I told him he was wasting money, but he said I had no sense of romance.”
“So sweet! That must’ve cost millions!”
Compliments poured in like champagne, bubbling and relentless.
Mrs. Li beamed, momentarily forgetting everyone else—including Vivian.
Vivian clenched her jaw, glaring at Summer Wen.
If not for her interruption, Vivian might’ve made a real impression.
Now approaching again would look desperate.
She sighed, retreated to a corner, and sat quietly.

Half an hour later, the gala had loosened into smaller groups.
Summer Wen, tipsy with champagne and self-satisfaction,
headed toward the restroom.
Inside, she froze.
At the marble sink, Mrs. Li was washing her hands.
She’d slipped off her ten-carat diamond ring and set it beside the faucet.
Then her phone rang.
“Excuse me,” Mrs. Li said to no one in particular, stepping out to take the call—
leaving the glittering ring behind.
The diamond lay there, brilliant under the mirror’s light—
and Summer Wen’s reflection, eyes wide and gleaming, stared right back at it.