At the most extravagant penthouse party in Royal Garden—like the brightest emerald shining over Starfall—an event unfolded that no one had seen in a hundred years. Every alumnus of Yelsulin University froze in shock at the late but electrifying entrance of Mina and Duyen.
Dao's friend group could hardly believe their eyes. They practically turned into stone for minutes, needing time to process what they were witnessing. Kamakiri Mina—the stunning beauty, top student of Yelsulin back in the day, the one who skipped last year's reunion—had suddenly appeared. She looked like a goddess descended, no, more beautiful than she'd ever been in her youth. Maturity had only sharpened her already flawless features.
And tonight she was wearing a simple black spaghetti-strap dress—yet that alone was enough to make the professional models hired for the event look shamefully second-rate.
But Dao didn't care about any of that. She squealed when she spotted Mina and Duyen, dashing toward them like a puppy with a tail wagging furiously.
"Mina! Duyen!"
She pulled both into a tight hug, forcing the two to awkwardly let go of each other's hands.
"You're late!" Dao pouted when she released them.
"You said you'd come on your own—ah, so it was to pick up Duyen, huh?" She shot Duyen a teasing glance.
Before the tomboy could answer, Dao gasped.
"Oh my God, Duyen! Look at you in that suit! So...Handsome! Is that the custom one you told me about Monday?"
Duyen nodded shyly. "Yeah, that's the one. Thanks…"
"Or should I say you look pretty rather than handsome? Spin around for me!"
Mina's brows furrowed as Dao casually grabbed Duyen's arms, urging her to twirl. The tomboy obediently turned.
"Ahem!"
Mina cleared her throat suddenly, startling both of them.
Dao froze. She could feel Mina's irritation radiating, though Mina only smiled sweetly while prying Duyen's hand away from Dao and clutching it tightly as if afraid someone might steal her away.
Dao offered a sheepish grin, hands raised playfully.
"Fine, fine, I won't touch her again. Happy now?"
Mina rolled her eyes playfully, squeezing Duyen's hand tighter.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Dao laughed and nudged her friend. "Yeah, yeah, sure."
While their playful tension sparkled, the rest of the crowd buzzed in confusion. They had never seen Mina like this.
"Wait… who's that 'handsome guy' Mina's clinging to?" whispered a girl in a deep green evening gown.
"Crazy… she didn't come with Valko? She showed up with someone else?"
"Remember last year when she skipped the reunion? Maybe… maybe she and Valko already...?"
Naomi—her curly ponytail bouncing above an off-shoulder dress—shot them a sharp glare, silencing the whispers.
Although the topic of marriage between the two top students of Yelsulin University in both family background and beauty like Mina and Valko is really hot news, it can completely affect the way people perceive the family behind the two of them.
The gossip had already reached Valko, who was lounging with his rich-boy circle at an opulent round table nearby. His fists clenched white. Hearing this was pure humiliation. He wanted nothing more than to throw the "guy" next to Mina off the 40th floor.
Even Kai, sitting beside him, noticed his strange tension and stopped laughing.
"Weird… why would Mina show up with some random dude, when her husband's right here—"
Valko's glare cut him off. He seized Jinsung by the collar.
"What's going on!? Who the hell is that!?"
Jinsung nearly pissed himself.
"I—I don't know! I swear! I don't even know his name!"
"Valko, calm down!" Kai tried to soothe him before he tore Jinsung's shirt apart.
Valko squeezed his eyes shut, breathing hard, and finally let go. Jinsung collapsed into the sofa, pale with relief.
"Just watch for now," Kai urged. "You can't blow up this party. Everyone's staring."
"Fine…"
Valko muttered, straightening his tie.
"But I've never seen that guy before. If Yelsulin had someone that...good-looking, I'd know." Kai eyes narrowed.
Who the hell is he?
Mina, sensing Valko's hostile gaze burning into them, only smiled faintly and pretended not to notice—holding Duyen's hand even tighter.
Why?
Valko's jaw clenched, his face hot.
Why are you doing this to me?
To punish me?
Meanwhile Dao happily pulled Mina and Duyen toward her powerful circle of friends.
"Guys, let me introduce—oh wait, you already know Mina. But this here is Duyen!"
Duyen gave an awkward smile. She remembered almost no one, except Naomi and Linh, who eagerly waved. Their friendliness gave her a spark of confidence. She bowed politely.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Duyen."
Her genderless charm stunned them all for a moment—until they realized.
"Wait… she's a girl?"
Dao grinned, placing both hands proudly on Duyen's shoulders.
"Yep. She was in our class. And by the way—she was the valedictorian of Yelsulin!"
"Ahem!" Mina cleared her throat again, making Dao quickly release Duyen.
"Ok haha I'm sorry. But that's what I meant"
Everyone exchanged looks. This was news to them. If someone like Duyen existed, surely they'd remember…
Valko's brows shot up. Recognition hit him.
"That… that's the pig?"
"Huh?" Kai blinked. "What pig?"
Valko shook his head.
"No… impossible. She can't have changed this much."
"Changed what? Valko, speak clearly. You mean… that's not a guy? That's a girl?"
Valko chuckled darkly. "More than that."
He whispered something into Kai's ear.
Meanwhile, Mina swept a cold glance across Dao's friends. A shiver ran down their spines, making them instantly soften their tone.
"So you were Yelsulin's valedictorian—what an honor to meet you. Can I get you something to drink?"
Duyen waved quickly. "I don't drink. Maybe just a glass of milk or something?"
"Milk?" Dao blinked.
Even her friends echoed
"Milk?"
Milk!?
Mina slapped a hand over her mouth, turning away with flushed cheeks to hide her smile.
Damn it, Duyen… how can you be this cute?
Her heart pounded wildly.
Dao, catching on, flailed at the bartender. "Ah uhm...uh Milk! Get her some milk, quick!"
The poor bartender hesitated, then scrambled to fetch premium whole milk, leaving the guests in stunned disbelief.
She doesn't drink? Seriously?
Yet somehow, Duyen's shy smile only deepened her strange, innocent charm.
Except for Cai Ying, who sipped her cocktail with thinly veiled hostility.
"And a cappuccino—extra milk, extra ice—for her," Mina added smoothly, smiling at the bartender.
Duyen could only laugh awkwardly.
What's with her obsession with cappuccinos or something?
Then came the sound of elegant applause. Valko and his entourage approached. Valko looked dazzling in a custom-tailored gray-and-white Italian suit, with Kai and Jinsung—both celebrities in their own right—trailing behind.
The moment Duyen saw him, it was like a blade stabbed her gut. Nausea churned. Her legs locked stiff. She couldn't move.
Mina's eyes narrowed, her hand never leaving Duyen's. The subtle contempt in her gaze only fueled Valko's fury, though he masked it behind his trademark charming smile.
"Well, well. What a surprise guest at our party," Valko said smoothly. "Strange, isn't it? A so-called valedictorian of Yelsulin, and yet no one remembers her."
The jab made Duyen flinch. Mina and Dao both stiffened.
"But I'm sure everyone remembers," Valko continued, smirking. "That... fat girl…"
Duyen squeezed her eyes shut. Regret clawed at her chest. She never should have come.
Murmurs spread.
"Wait—is that… the huge girl, the pig who used to stalk Valko?"
"Oh my God…"
"Unbelievable. She lost weight and looks gorgeous now, but she used to be some creepy stalker?"
Nightmare. It was happening again. Four years of hell, where no one believed her, no one defended her—replaying before her eyes—
"That's not true!"
The sudden voice silenced the crowd. Naomi had spoken.
She glanced at Linh, who nervously added,
"Y-Yeah… Duyen isn't like that!"
But Linh froze under Valko's dagger-sharp glare. His eyes promised ruin if she dared oppose him.
Dao, however, wasn't one to back down. Planting her hands on her hips, she stood between Valko and Duyen, nudging Duyen protectively behind her and Mina.
"Really, Mr. Valko? Saying that to a guest at this party isn't very classy. Especially when you've got no proof."
"You—!" Valko nearly cursed aloud. Never before had Dao interfered in his affairs.
He forced a laugh to mask his slipping grip.
"Proof? Did you hear that, everyone? Me, the victim here, traumatized by her stalking—and now I'm expected to bring proof?"
Confusion rippled through the guests. They'd only ever heard his side, always assuming Valko was right. But Dao's voice rang firm:
"Accusations of stalking or harassment—those aren't things you throw around without evidence! And he doesn't have any!"
"She's right… no proof…"
"Yeah, how can he call her a stalker without proof?"
Valko's panic grew. The tide wasn't turning his way. Desperate, he snapped his gaze to Mina. She was still holding Duyen's hand. His fury spiked.
Finally, he pointed at her.
"If! You don't believe me, ask Mina! She knows exactly what that fat pig was like!"
"What?" Duyen gasped.
All eyes turned to Mina. Valko's lips pressed tight, his gaze pleading and demanding at once.
Mina…
If you still see me as your husband, you'll stand by me.
But what would Mina say?