Chapter 81: Old Times' Sake

We’ve all heard the saying, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” But in today’s world, this adage seems to have lost its relevance. The real issue now is that we can no longer tell friends and enemies apart. In fact, enemies often seem more sincere than friends. At least enemies openly display their dislike, whereas friends might hide behind a mask of false camaraderie. As Christina sat there, watching the woman who entered, decked out in her million-dollar ensemble, she felt a surge of bitter memories rush to the forefront of her mind. She closed her eyes, trying to suppress the emotions that threatened to resurface. She recalled a dainty hand once grasping her elbow, accompanied by a voice that chirped, “Christina, you’re the perfect life partner for my cousin! I can’t believe we’ll be cousins-in-law.” That voice still echoed in her memory. But so did another voice, one filled with malice and spite: “Don’t worry, Auntie. I’ll make sure to throw Christina out of my cou