The guests continue to gossip and whisper about Andrea.
“I didn’t realize that Andrea is so petty,” whispers one man, “She really won’t allow another woman to wear the same ring as her?”
“Can you believe that she forced Mrs. Hamilton to hold a birthday party for her?” whispers a woman, “Doesn’t she have any shame?”
Leonie listens to the gossip quietly. As the guests talk, she glances secretly at Andrea and her eyes gleam with victory. She stops crying suddenly and takes Andrea’s hand in hers.
“Andrea, none of that matters to me,” Leonie says, “We share the same birthday. Can we celebrate it together?”
Andrea stares at Leonie at a temporary loss for words. If she rejects Leonie’s offer, she’ll look petty and childish. Leonie has all the skill of an award-winning actress, and the guests
