Chapter 10

Summer walked to a secluded corner before she took a deep breath and picked up the phone.

"What do you want this time, Simone?" she asked mockingly without holding back.

Simone's coquettish voice came from the other end of the phone. "Don't say that, Summie. We were best friends after all. You can't possibly give up on our friendship because of a man, right?

"Oh, I'm calling to tell you that Hank and I have decided to get engaged on the 18th of this month. I've already sent out your invitation. You must come, alright?"

Summer didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She had seen her fair share of shameless people but she had never seen anyone as shameless as Simone.

Not only did Simone steal her boyfriend, but she even had the audacity to invite her to their engagement party! Summer was not mentally challenged. Otherwise, she would have thought that Simone was indeed her best friend from how affectionately she spoke over the phone.

"Congratulations on your engagement. I'm busy, so I don't have spare time to go look at a pair of lowlifes," Summer snapped and was about to hang up.

Simone's raised voice sounded from the phone. "Summer! Who are you calling lowlifes? You're too scared to come, aren't you?"

Before Summer could reply, she added smugly, "Oh, right. You're broke now, so you'll be embarrassing yourself if you came. Who knows? Maybe the wedding guests would pity you and donate some money to you …"

Simone stifled a giggle. She knew, better than anyone else, how prideful Summer was. After all, Summer had been the heiress of Charter Corporation. Yet, she had become a poor nobody with nothing to her name overnight.

How should she face the people other prominent families who had connections with her family in the past? To be eyed pitifully by them was probably Summer's worst nightmare.

Summer had wanted to hang up and not go to the party. However, Simone's mocking words, especially the last sentence, ignited a spark of defiance in her heart.

Early the next morning, Amelia passed Summer an invitation printed with countless red hearts.

Summer was unusually silent as she studied the miniature version of her ex-boyfriend and best friend leaning against each other affectionately on the invitation.

She tugged on Amelia's sleeve lightly and said, "Mom …"

Summer had not deliberately hidden the matter of her breakup with Hank from Amelia. It was just that Amelia practically treated Hank like her son. Summer couldn't bear to make her sad by telling her how much of a bastard Hank really was.

Amelia studied Summer worriedly as she stood in front of her daughter. As parents, she and Fred knew how much Summer loved Hank.

Yet, he hadn't come by their house even once after so many things happened recently. So, Amelia and Fred knew something was up. Their hearts ached when they saw Summer becoming increasingly dismayed day by day.

"Pull yourself together. He's just a man! You don't need him to live! So, what will it be? Do you need me to pick out a dress for you for the engagement party? You can't lose to them, you must go!" Amelia insisted.

Summer's jaw dropped upon hearing what Amelia said.

She asked in disbelief, "Mom, aren't I your daughter? But why does it sound like you're setting me up?"

"Silly girl! You only say ridiculous things like this to me when your Dad's not around," Amelia chided as she poked Summer's forehead affectionately.

Summer felt relieved as she bantered with her mother. She clung onto Amelia's arm and whined, "Okay, Mom. Can you help me pick out a dress? I trust your judgment better than mine."

Amelia sighed as she looked at Summer, whose smile didn't seem to be forced. She asked gently, "Do you really plan to go to this party?"

"Of course," Summer replied like she didn't care even though she wanted nothing more than to rip the invitation in her hands to shreds.

However, venting in that way was pointless. If she thought about this in a rational manner, there would be many important figures in attendance at the party because of how influential Simone's family was.

So, this was her chance to hopefully meet someone who can save Charter Corporation. She couldn't let her emotions ruin such a golden opportunity.

"Mom, I'm going to take a shower. Don't worry too much about me. I will make sure to dress up nicely and show those two despicable people how great I really am!"

Summer lightly pushed Amelia to make her go back downstairs. She then rushed to the bathroom. Soon, there was the sound of water splashing. Summer even hummed a cheery tune as she freshened up.

"Since you been gone, I can breathe for the first time! I'm so moving on. Yeah, yeah …"

Amelia shook her head in exasperation at Summer's antics while standing at the top of the stairs. She let out a sigh of relief upon seeing that Summer was still able to regain some semblance of joy.

On the day of the engagement party, Amelia helped Summer look her best.

Her long, flowy hair was curled and placed over one shoulder, making her look enchanting and attractive. She also wore her favorite one-shoulder dress. The dress had a color combination of azureish white and light blue, exuding a refreshing vibe.

Simone had always made fun of Summer's smaller bust. However, the strategically placed white lace stitched onto her dress draped over her chest elegantly and made her look regal.

There was also a hollowed floral pattern on the back of her dress, and the form-fitting dress showed off her figure. The one-shoulder cutting of the dress also accentuated her collarbones whilst the tiny blue rhinestones embedded at the waistline of the dress accentuated her waist.

Summer was quite a tall woman. She put on a set of high heels which further elevated the elegance of the dress. With a satisfied look, Summer hiked up the skirt of her dress lightly before she twirled in front of the full-length mirror.

"What do you think? Isn't your daughter beautiful?" Summer leaned in and whispered next to Amelia's ear.

Strands of Summer's hair grazed Amelia's cheek. From where she stood, Summer caught a glimpse of Amelia's approving smile from the corner of her eye.

"I know that it's important to value your dignity, but I hope that you can be happy and ignore what everyone else has to say about you. Do you understand?" Amelia said, patting Summer's hand.

Summer knew what Amelia was trying to say.

As the future successor of Charter Corporation, she had to be present at events like this.

Moreover, Hank used to be an employee at Charter Corporation. It was not clear whether he really did betray the company. Now that he openly invited her, of course she had to maintain her pride and attend the engagement party.