Chapter 2

But Scarlett had zero social awareness. She couldn't tell I was brushing her off and kept pushing.

"Oh, Chloe, come on! A woman’s priority should always be her family. Don't waste your life working so hard out there! Leave the career stuff to the men!"

"If you find a wealthy husband like I did, you can just let him take care of you. Why stress yourself out?"

"Just think about it. Staying home, playing with the baby, doing some light house chores. Isn't that way better than grinding 9-to-5 in a depressing office?"

Honestly, before Scarlett got married, I had no idea her views were so twisted.

We went to the same high school and college. We had the exact same education. I had no idea why she turned into a 1950s tradwife the moment she got married.

It was like she became a completely different person after she met Tyler.

I had to admit, Tyler was a master of brainwashing.

He didn't just turn an educated college graduate into a willing, submissive housewife; he also made her completely indifferent to the life of her best friend of ten years. Everything was about him.

I should have seen through this in my past life.

But back then, I was too naive. I genuinely cherished Scarlett as my best friend, so I naturally overlooked all her red flags.

Thinking back, it was so ironic.

Scarlett kept messaging me, trying to brainwash me with her outdated nonsense.

But I wasn't an idiot like her. I knew one absolute truth: you can only rely on yourself in this world.

Instead of putting my future in someone else's hands, I’d rather work hard. I would never give up my career for any man.

I didn't bother arguing. I just sent a couple of dry replies to end the conversation.

A few days later, Scarlett was back to bragging.

This time, she posted a pair of limited-edition designer flats on her Snapchat.

"Only ten pairs of these in the world! I just said I liked them, and my hubby bought them for me instantly! I am truly the luckiest girl alive~"

But within a minute, her post was debunked by a mutual friend of ours.

The girl was Audrey, our former college classmate. We weren't close and rarely talked.

But I knew Audrey came from a very wealthy family. Her dad owned a massive company. She was a genuine rich girl.

Audrey commented, "Those shoes are definitely fake. Your husband got ripped off."

Scarlett immediately lost her mind. "What the hell are you talking about?! My husband would never buy me fakes! You're just jealous!"

Audrey didn't get mad. She replied calmly, "I'm saying this because I actually own a pair. Comparing yours to mine, it's obvious yours are replicas. I didn't mean to offend you, just wanted to let you know."

But Scarlett was stubborn. "How do you know mine are fake? Maybe yours are the fakes!"

Once that comment was posted, Scarlett became the laughingstock of our entire college circle.

Anyone who knew Audrey knew she was loaded. She had no reason to buy replicas.

If one of them was wearing fakes, it was definitely Scarlett.

Embarrassed and angry, Scarlett private-messaged me to take her side.

"Chloe! Tell me, are my shoes fake or are Audrey's? I bet she's just jealous because she doesn't have a husband who spoils her like mine does! Such a hater!"

I almost burst out laughing. Where did she get the confidence to think a literal heiress was jealous of her?

But I wasn't going to get involved.

So, I pretended to be conflicted. "I honestly can't tell. But Tyler treats you so well, I'm sure he wouldn't buy you fakes. If you're really worried, why don't you get them authenticated?"