"Mr. Larson, I''ve reserved our finest private room, the Executive ning Suite, just for you and Ms. Larson. Right this way, please."


    The restaurant owner led Horace and Jessica toward the exclusive room with practiced hospitality.


    Jessica felt a tangle of nerves, excitement, and a little fear. "Has Mom arrived yet?"


    Horace''s expression remained unreadable. "We''ll find out once we go in."


    "Mr. and Ms. Larson, here the Executive Dining Suite. Pleasee in."


    The owner opened the door to the private room, and Jessica stepped inside. "Mom!"


    But the room was empty-Brittany hadn''t arrived yet.


    Horace said, “It''s not noon yet. Have a seat and wait."


    Jessica nodded. "Okay."


    Just then, a soft, melodic ringtone sounded from Horace''s phone he was receiving a call.


    "I''m stepping out to take this call."


    "Alright."


    Horace left, while Jessica kept adjusting her long gown. After a moment, she stood up and went to the restroom to check if her lipstick was smudged.


    Soon, a striking and radiant figure appeared ahead-Brittany had arrived.


    Her luxury car had stopped outside the restaurant. Brittany hadn''t waited for her assistants; she came in on her own, eager to see her daughter.


    Today, Brittany wore a vivid red dress. Her lips were a deep crimson, her ck hair glossy and flowing, like a fierce rose in full bloom, thorny and proud. Time had left no trace on her-though she was in her forties, she looked no older than a woman in her twenties. As she walked through the room, all eyes were drawn to her.


    Brittany hurried forward, but just then, Jessica turned a corner, and the two collided head-on.


    "I''m sorry." Brittany quickly apologized. "I didn''t mean to-"


    Jessica snapped immediately, "Watch where you''re going! Look, you just dirtied my dress!"


    Brittany was about to apologize again, but the harshness in Jessica''s tone made her smirk slightly. "Since we bumped into each other, it''s half your fault and half mine, okay?"


    Jessica red at her. "What kind of attitude is that? Do you even know how much this dress costs? You''ve ruined it! I swear, I''m going to make you pay for this!"


    Brittany raised an eyebrow. "You''ve got quite the ego."


    "You probably don''t even know who I am. Let me tell you-I''m a big shot. Here in the Capital, I walk like I own the ce. You messed up my dress, so you''d better grovel and apologize!"


    Brittany chuckled coldly. "I''ve been away from the Capital for years. Guess that''s why I haven''t heard of you. You want me to grovel and apologize? You''re the first person who''s ever asked that."


    Jessica scrutinized Brittany from head to toe. "I''ve never seen you in the Capital''s social circles. Where did you evene from? That dress is expensive, but I bet you didn''t buy it yourself. Some man probably gifted it to you. I''m guessing you''re one of those mistresses who cling to wealthy men."


    18


    Jessica knew all the high-profiledies in the Capital''s elite society but Brittany was aplete stranger. Plus, Brittany''s stunning appearance and the fact that she looked about Jessica''s are led jessica to assume that she was just a kept


    woman.


    Brittanyughed with disbelief. "First day back in the Capital, and run into a real gem! No one has ever dared to call me a mistress. Do you even know who I am?”


    Jessica smirked. "Enlighten me."