Chapter 2

Chloe’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Audrey, I’m so sorry. I just... I thought it was a bit funny how you wore full makeup and a designer dress just for a casual lunch. You look so out of place with us."

"But I get it. You come from a prestigious family. You've been pampered your whole life."

"It’s my fault for laughing."

Julian immediately jumped to her defense, glaring at me. "Audrey, you’re always so extra. Can't you just relax for once when you eat with me?"

I let out a soft laugh. "I just came straight from the airport. I was sending off the board of directors from Apex Enterprises. Tell me, Julian, what should I have worn to meet our multi-million dollar clients?"

Julian’s face instantly crumbled.

His friends quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Hey, Audrey dressed up to look good for you, Julian!"

"Yeah, she looks stunning. Don't take her for granted, man."

"Exactly. My mom has been married to my dad for thirty years, and I’ve never even seen her without makeup!"

Chloe let out a sharp chuckle. "Isn't that basically wearing a mask? How exhausting!"

"Unlike me. Sometimes I’m just too busy to care about looks. I’ll just throw on a random T-shirt and shorts and walk out the door!"

Her desperate attempt to put me down to lift herself up was pathetic.

I looked at her "no-makeup" makeup look, which clearly took her at least an hour to perfect, and smiled without saying a word.

Julian cleared his throat nervously. "Anyway, let’s order! I got the Chilean sea bass specially for you, Audrey. And some King Crab."

I nodded, picked up my fork, and took a bite. The flavor was decent.

Julian had the waiters crack open the King Crab, and they began peeling it for me at the side of the table.

Chloe raised an eyebrow. "You guys eat so primly. Seafood is supposed to be eaten with your bare hands! That's the only way it tastes good."

"Just like last night. We had a greasy crawfish boil, and the juice was dripping everywhere!"

She suddenly gasped, covering her mouth in mock horror. She looked at me cautiously. "Oh my god, I’m so sorry, Audrey. We were having so much fun last night that I completely forgot it was your anniversary."

"I told Julian he should go back, but he insisted on staying. That's why we wanted to treat you to lunch today."

"I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted Julian to relax a bit."

I set my fork down and gave her a bright, sweet smile. "Actually, I should thank you. Because of your little distraction, Julian's family lost a contract worth over fifty million dollars. Conveniently, my family took over the deal."

Julian’s face went from pale to a dark, furious red.

Chloe looked utterly lost. She shrieked, "Fifty million?! But you two are married! Why are you talking about 'your family' and 'his family' like you're rivals?"

"Even though we're married, my money is mine, and his is his. We signed a very strict prenuptial agreement."

"I don't expect you to understand. After all, you're just the housekeeper's daughter. You probably don't know that in old-money families, prenups are mandatory."

"We never show mercy to gold-diggers who try to climb into high society."

"Right, Julian?"

Julian slammed his hand on the table, his face twisted in rage. "Enough! Have you said enough?!"

"Yes! I didn't want to spend our anniversary with you! That's why I stayed out last night!"

"You think you’re so superior, but you just got lucky with your birth. Stop talking down to people!"

I nodded calmly. "You're right. Reincarnation is a skill, and her luck just wasn't very good."

Chloe burst into tears. "Audrey..."

"Don't call me Audrey like we're friends. I'm an only child."

Chloe’s face flushed red, then pale. Finally, she choked out, "Ms. Sterling, you don't have to look down on me. Julian isn't happy with you at all! Did you know he called me on your wedding night? We talked on the phone the entire night!"