? A Leopard Doesn''t Change Its Spots


    I could tell who they were immediately from their voices.


    One was from our dormitory, always trailing behind Michelle-Nana Howell. The other was Michelle herself.


    Ivanna grabbed my arm and gestured for me to be quiet.


    Nana asked Michelle, "So, what does Chloe do? How did she be so wealthy in just a few years?"


    "Nonsense! Just because she can afford these doesn''t mean the money is hers." Michelle''s tone was dismissive. "As for what she does? I''d say she''s a homewrecker."


    Michelle continued with a scornful tone. "I did some discreet inquiries. Rumor has it that she attached herself to some wealthy guy right after her divorce a real tycoon."


    "Really? That fast?" Nana''s voice carried a gossipy excitement.


    "Hmph! So what? It stirred up quite a fuss, and public opinion is not favorable. After all, she has a child and still trapped a young guy. She''s just relying on her looks.


    "She''s like a cougar. There''s nothing she can''t do. Don''t be fooled by her pretentious act. She''s quite smart."


    Michelle''s words were bitter. A leopard cannot change its spots.


    Ivanna was visibly angered. However, Michelle wasn''t finished yet.


    "Maybe she already had an affair with Matthew and made him a cuckold. People say he transferred all his assets when she divorced him, not giving her a penny. Do you think if she''s innocent, this could happen? Matthew wouldn''t do this if he weren''t pushed to his limit. We both know how Matthew is."


    "True, that exins her extravagance."


    "Extravagant? Nonsense! She''s just showing off. However, it''s not something to be proud of. It''s just a matter of luck. What''s the big deal?"


    Michelle''s words were malicious, full of bitterness. "Men, all the same. After having their fun, they kick you away. I bet she''ll still pretend to be innocent when the timees."


    "She seems to be close to Ivanna now. We didn''t see them sticking together like this back in school," Nana said, her tone also dripping with disdain. "They''re all the same! Birds of a feather flock together. They''re just pretending to be rich. I can''t stand people like them," Michelle said,cking any mercy.


    Ivanna walked straight into the bathroom. "Really? Then, who do you like? Whether you like someone or not is one thing, but pretending you don''t want to be them? That''s low. Isn''t the lobster delicious? Didn''t you enjoy it?" Ivanna stared at Michelle, asking casually but with a threatening tone.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "I saw you devouring it like a hungry wolf! I can''t stand someone like you. At the very least, be grateful for it. Why is your mouth so foul? Did you eat crap?"


    Ivanna''s appearance in the restroom startled both of them. Nana''s face turned white, and she stared at Michelle, then at me, stammering, "I... We weren''t talking about you. We... We didn''t think about you at all!"


    I smiled at Michelle, not wanting to embarrass her. "Michelle, you''re really working hard, gathering information from all sides. Don''t take things out of context. Besides, this isn''t the ce to discuss such matters."


    Having said that, I entered the restroom. When I came out after using it, Michelle and Nana had disappeared.


    Back in the private room, they were all deep into another round of drinking games. Michelle dared not look at me, keeping a low profile.


    After a few more rounds of toasts and dishes, they were already nning the next round. They insisted I join, but I quickly declined, saying, "No, I need to go back and check on my child. I''m looking forward to our next gathering."


    Ivanna also hurriedly bid farewell to everyone. I knew that As would settle the bill once the dishes were added. So, I didn''t pay much attention to the payment process.


    I forgot not everyone might forget. Michelle quickly called the waiter and asked, "How much is the bill for this table?"


    "Hello! The total for your table is five thousand dors," the waiter replied.


    "Why is it so expensive? We didn''t even drink that much!" Michelle was incredulous.


    I calmly observed her now visibly changing face.


    "Then... what about the additional dishes?" She looked at the leftovers on the table, hesitating.


    "Forget it. We can''t let Chloe pay for this. Let''s stick to the usual. We''ll go Dutch!" A guy stood up, ready to pull out his wallet.


    "Wait a minute..." Michelle nced at me, hesitated, and finally bit the bullet. "How can we split this bill? The additional dishes... Who''s going to pay for that?"