The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 171

Deanna's nails dug into her palms, her entire body trembling with the effort to stay still. Every fiber of her wanted to lunge at Stella—to wipe that infuriating calm off her face with one sharp slap. But the crowd's eyes were on them, and dignity was the only weapon she had left.

Having weathered many storms in life, Deanna took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She knew that if today's events got out, her reputation would be in tatters. All thanks to Stella, the troublemaker!

"Stella," Deanna began, her voice sharp and cutting, "Keen has worked so hard for this competition. Even if you weren't invited to accompany him, did you really have to go and ruin it for him? Besides, you don't have a rich family background, nor do you have a fancy degree. We can't just stand there on stage with Keen, can we?"

Her words were like daggers, laying bare Stella's lack of pedigree and education, with zero concern for tact.

In high society, pedigree and prestige were everything. Even outsiders could earn their place—provided they brought undeniable brilliance to the table. Without it? Well, the whispers followed. In their world, you were either exceptional or invisible. Mediocrity wasn't just frowned upon—it was erased.

In their world, everyone was constantly comparing themselves to others, with intricate hierarchies of disdain. The elite looked down on those from different social standings. Those with prestigious backgrounds sneered at mere intellectuals. Intellectuals often mocked celebrities and models. And people like Stella, with seemingly nothing to their name, were at the very bottom, easy targets for everyone's scorn.

Once, Deanna's barbs would've stung. Now, they barely registered—just noise against armor forged through years of her bullshit. "Deanna, let's get one thing straight. It was Rachel who spilled coffee on me, not the other way around. And as for competitions, why is Keen's more important than anyone else's? If Rachel can't compete in a stained dress, why should I have to compete in one she ruined?"

Deanna was at a loss for words, pointing at Stella but unable to articulate a response. Jasper chimed in, "You wouldn't score well anyway, so going on stage would just be a waste of time. You might even embarrass yourself, and then Haynie would have to clean up your mess."