Chapter 87

Lizzie's real aim was to stir up Gianna, hoping she'd explode at Grace for the outrageous pricing.

Gianna,however, wasn't about to take the bait. She prided herself on her flawless skin and her upbringing as part of the Holden family, and she saw no point in tossing away good money on Grace's fancy concoctions.

Landing a spot at her top-choice university was her priority-she could always settle old scores with Grace once she'd secured her future.

Realizing that Gianna remained perfectly composed,Lizzie had to set her plans aside for now.

Meanwhile, Beatrice found herself growing increasingly anxious.

Fear crept in as she wondered if Grace had

uncovered her secret relationship with that much older man. She'd planned to play it safe, but lately,the man's attention and the gifts had dried up.

Depending on Johnny wasn't much help either. He hadn't started working yet, and every penny he spent still had to pass through his parents' hands.

Their rules about money bordered on the absurd.Johnny's allowance was a fraction of what Grace got -hardly enough to fund Beatrice's tastes.

If Beatrice hadn't met Julia and seen the uncanny resemblance between mother and son, she might have suspected Johnny was the one who'd been adopted.

With Johnny's limited resources, Beatrice's lavish habits were in jeopardy. For now, he would have to be her last resort.

She couldn't help but notice that those long nights spent keeping her sugar daddy entertained had started to show on her skin. The glow she once had was gone, replaced by a sallow, tired look-no wonder the man was losing interest.

It was clear to Beatrice that she needed Grace's famous skincare now more than ever.

Once, she would have laughed at the idea that Grace could offer anything of value. But after watching Adrianna's dramatic transformation-witnessing the former laughingstock become one of the school's beauties-Beatrice found herself unable to argue with the results.

"Leave this to me, Beatrice. There's no way she'll have the guts to humiliate you with a flat-out rejection." Chloe Robinson-Beatrice's loyal sidekick and regular beneficiary of her generosity-didn't hesitate to take the lead.

Without wasting time, Chloe tracked Grace down.

"You're just out to scam people, aren't you? Selling some random, unapproved cream for an arm and a leg-who do you think you are?"

Grace barely glanced her way. "Nobody's forcing you to buy. In fact, I might refuse even if you change your mind."

"Careful. I could easily file a complaint. You're pushing unregulated stuff and breaking the law."Chloe tried to play tough, hoping a threat might get her somewhere.

Grace just gave a small, unconcerned shrug. "Go ahead. All my products are fully certified-top-tier quality,in fact."

The truth was, her formulas had been crafted for the wives of presidents and visiting royalty. If Chloe ended up with one, it would be pure charity.

"You-" Chloe faltered, caught off guard by how unshakable Grace remained. She'd expected panic,maybe even some groveling, Instead, Grace seemed untouchable-cold and unbothered, not budging an inch.

Clearly, Chloe had misjudged her opponent.

"If it's out of your price range, just admit it. There's

no need to throw around threats or drag Grace's name through the mud." Adrianna had always been the quiet one, rarely drawing attention. Yet with Grace by her side, she'd found a boldness that left no room for bullies, even when her voice trembled,she stood her ground.

A harsh laugh escaped Chloe. "You? Acting tough with me, you pauper? Just because you scrubbed up alright, you suddenly think you can play in my league?"

The very idea that Adrianna-once the overlooked,awkward girl-now dared to talk back was enough to make Chloe seethe.

Grace regarded Chloe with a raised brow, her stare cool and faintly amused. "Did you just call Adrianna poor? Are you really that clueless?"

She'd taken the time to learn about Adrianna's background. Three generations of military service, a direct descendant of a general, and both parents currently holding high-ranking posts-Adrianna's roots ran deep.

Yet here was Chloe, dismissing her as some penniless nobody.

That was what happened when people never looked beyond the surface.

Chloe gave a scoff, trying to hold onto her confidence. "Obviously, she's got nothing. Or did you think she was some trust fund princess? Is that wvhy you're clinging to her now?"

It was clear Chloe thought she'd figured it all out-that Grace must have befriended Adrianna for status or money.

She wasn't above snooping, either. After helping out with admin work, Chloe had peeked at more than one student's file.

Other than Charles Pearson, most students'backgrounds weren't impressive.

Her first attempt at social climbing had been with Charles, but he brushed her off without a second glance. Once it became clear that Johnny was completely wrapped up in Beatrice, she wasted no time latching onto Beatrice instead.

When it came to Adrianna, though? Chloe had seen her student record herself-nothing impressive in the background column. She believed Adrianna sat at the bottom of the school's unofficial pecking order, just an ordinary kid whose spot at Briskvale High was likely earned through sheer hard work.

Adrianna's nerves showed as she rushed to speak up. "Grace isn't like that," she insisted, glancing anxiously in Grace's direction.

Growing up in a household led by decorated officers,Adrianna's life was marked by discipline and humility.Her family's achievements were never something to flaunt, and she'd learned early on to keep her heritage in the background. She wanted friendships based on genuine connection, not on status or background.

Her mother's words rang in her mind: "Real friends love you for you, not for your last name. Just a couple of true friends are enough for a lifetime."

If Grace was going to feel ashamed by her, Adrianna figured it was better to be upfront.

After all, Grace was the one person who'd helped her shed old insecurities and find her sense of self-a friend like no other.

Grace's lips curved in a gentle smile. "That's right,"she answered softly. "What matters is who you are,not your family tree."

She knew better than anyone how little background should matter-her own beginnings were in an orphanage, and she'd never judge someone from a good,honest family.