Chapter 227

Sophia Lowell tilted her chin up with pride, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Lydia Montgomery leaned in close, whispering, "Sophia, since your family booked the penthouse, maybe we could—"

Sophia's heart sank.

A flicker of irritation flashed in her eyes.

How could Lydia be so tactless? Did she not know her place?

The audacity to even suggest going to the penthouse.

Greedy little thing.

Sophia suppressed her annoyance and forced a hesitant expression. "It's a surprise my family planned specially. I can't go up there early."

Lydia awkwardly shut her mouth and followed Sophia to the second floor with the others.

From their vantage point, they could see the grand crystal piano at the center of the hall.

Velvet ropes cordoned it off, its surface shimmering under the lights.

"Oh my god, that piano is stunning!" Lydia gasped, leaning over the railing.

Symphony Heights was undeniably luxurious, every detail exuding opulence.

Without Sophia's connections, none of them would have gotten in.

Sophia stared at the piano, her heart bleeding.

Just three hours on the second floor had cost three hundred thousand.

And that didn't include the meal.

The thought of footing the bill for ten people made her skin crawl.

What infuriated her more was that Isabella Valentine had taken the other half of their group.

It was a slap in the face.

"Everyone, order whatever you like," Sophia said with a strained smile.

The waiter handed out menus, and the group erupted.

"Three thousand eight hundred for a steak?"

"Is this soup made with gold?"

"This is insane!"

Sophia's eye twitched at their gasps.

"It's my birthday. Don't hold back," she said sweetly before excusing herself to make a call.

"Nigel, where are you?" Her voice instantly softened.

"I'm almost there. Happy birthday, Sophia," came Nigel Winthrop's clear voice.

Hanging up, she smoothed her dress.

Soon, Nigel appeared at the entrance in a tailored black suit, a delicate velvet box in hand.

"Nigel!" Sophia's eyes lit up as she hurried over.

His gaze swept the room, a barely perceptible frown forming.

He'd expected her family, not just a bunch of classmates.

"Happy birthday," he said, masking his confusion as he handed her the gift.