Her hand briefly brushed the diamond, and for the first time that evening, the necklace felt heavy—not because of its worth, but because of the meaning it might now carry in someone else's eyes.
She didn't want to wear something she loved, only to have it haunted by the shadow of someone else's jealousy.
Chen Lin stepped into the ballroom, taking a moment to soak in the atmosphere as she waited for the event to begin.
Guests milled about, sipping drinks and nibbling on hors d'oeuvres.
Soft music played in the background, adding to the elegant ambiance, while the occasional light speech or introduction from the organizers echoed through the room.
Surrounded by familiar faces, many of whom she counted as friends, Chen Lin mingled easily, engaging in conversation with those nearby.
Chen Lin made her way over to Shi Yuan with a drink in hand, the weight of the earlier encounter still lingering in her mind.
Shi Yuan, ever perceptive, raised an eyebrow at her expression.
