Rebirth: Love me Again

[EVE]

Lily's smile was sugary sweet, but her eyes told a different story. "Oh, I'm sure you couldn't afford it normally. Go on, have as many as you want. It's a rare treat—you probably won't get to eat anything this fancy again, so you might as well enjoy it while you can."

I pretended to think about it, tapping my chin dramatically. "You know what? You're absolutely right!"

I grabbed another cupcake, winking at Riri, who was struggling to hold back her laughter.

"Better make it count, then," I added, taking an even bigger bite, crumbs flying everywhere as I moaned in delight. "Wow, Lily, these are incredible! Totally worth $5000 a dozen."

Daniel, caught between amusement and concern, leaned in. "Are you sure you should be provoking her like that?"

"Why not?" I shrugged, licking the frosting off my finger. "If she's generous enough to share, who am I to refuse?"

Lily's smile wavered for a split second, but she quickly regained her composure. "I'm glad you're enjoying them. I mean, who wouldn't appreciate a taste of luxury?"

I shot her a grin. "You know, Lily, I might get used to this. So maybe I'll take another . . . or two."

Riri finally lost it, snickering into her hand as I reached for another cupcake, much to Lily's barely-contained annoyance.

Sophie flashed a sweet, almost pitying smile at me as I reached for another chocolate truffle cupcake. "Eve, I know it might be your first time eating something so luxurious," she said, giving a shy glance toward the others. "But don't you think it's only fair to share with the rest of us?"

The group looked at me as if I were some starving woman desperately grabbing what she could, like I'd never see such fancy treats again.

"Oh, don't worry about that!" I chirped back, feigning innocence. Then I turned to Lily, narrowing my eyes slightly. "These are from Angel Pastries, right?"

Lily hesitated for a split second before nodding. "Yes, they are."

I pulled out my phone with a bright smile, pressing the speaker button for everyone to hear. "Hello, Angel Pastries?" I said sweetly.

A cheerful voice on the other end replied, "Yes, how can I assist you?"

"I'd like to place an order for $20,000 worth of assorted cupcakes—make sure to include all your signature flavors. Can you deliver them here in . . . ?" I trailed off, turning to Lily with a friendly smile. "What's the address of this house again?"

Still in a daze, Lily stammered out the address. I repeated it for the pastry shop, then casually ended the call.

"Thank you! You should receive my payment shortly. This is Eve Rosette by the way."

As I hung up, I casually grabbed another cupcake, tossing one to Riri and a few more to the others nearby.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Don't worry, everyone! Fresh cupcakes will be here in about thirty minutes. I heard they're even bringing them via express delivery—lucky us!"

Riri's eyes widened in admiration as she stared at me. "Eve, you're like . . . a boss."

Before I could respond, Sophie cut in, her eyes narrowing. "Eve, where did you get that kind of money? $20,000 isn't a small amount. Does Grandfather know you're spending his money like this?"

Immediately, Sophie's friends jumped in, whispering loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"She's adopted, isn't she? How is she flaunting wealth like it's hers?"

"Yeah, using someone else's money. It's pretty shameless, don't you think?"

I kept my smile plastered on, but I could sense the shift in the atmosphere. Everyone was now watching me like I was entitled reckless spender showing off.

"You really don't have to do this," Daniel leaned over and whispered, sounding genuinely concerned. "I can pay for it if you're short on funds."

I blinked at him, taken aback. It was sweet that he was worried, but I couldn't help feeling a bit offended. Did he really think I couldn't afford my own cupcakes?

Daniel leaned in closer. "Seriously, I can cover it if you need—"

I cut him off with a bright grin, addressing Sophie instead. "Is that how you speak to your auntie?"

Sophie scowled at the mention of our familial connection. She hated being reminded that, despite being adopted, I still held a higher rank in the Rosette family.

I continued with a playful smile. "Oh, Sophie, have you forgotten? I have my own ways of making money. In fact, didn't your father recently borrow a billion dollars from me to fund your debut?"

"What?!"

"A billion dollars?!"

Her friends' eyes nearly popped out of their heads as they looked to Sophie for confirmation. Lily's smile faltered, and she stared at Sophie, clearly taken aback. "Is that true, Sophie?"

Sophie's face turned bright red as she frantically waved her hands. "Eve is lying! My father and mother funded my debut, not borrowed money from her. We don't need to! We have our own money."

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, I see. So you're denying that the money Sullivan hacked from my account—one billion dollars, to be exact—wasn't used for your debut?"

The room went silent, and Sophie's face paled. I could almost see the gears turning in her head as she realized that I wasn't playing games with her here.

Sophie stammered, "Th-that money you burrowed was part of the Rosette family's funds! Grandfather told me himself! In a sense all of it should belong to the Rosette family."

I chuckled softly, since Sophie had affirmed everything I said, "Oh, I'm sure he did. And I'm equally sure he also mention that I was the one who turned that initial investment into a billion-dollar portfolio, didn't he?"

Sophie's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, while her friends quickly backed her up, trying to smooth things over.

"It's only fair that you return what you owe," Sophie insisted, her voice laced with annoyance.

"Yeah, Sophie's right," one of her friends chimed in. "You're adopted, Eve, so it's only right to give the money back to the Rosette family."

I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Is that so? Well, let's just say I'm feeling generous. I've already decided to gift that billion dollars to you as your eighteenth-birthday present, Sophie. No need to fight about it—consider it my little treat."