Read the following excerpt carefully:
In the sprawling metropolis, the city's urbane dwellers took pride in their cosmopolitan lifestyle. They frequented art galleries and attended highbrow theater productions, embodying a culture steeped in sophistication. However, underlying this veneer of elegance was a palpable tension that hinted at discontent among the lower socio-economic strata, who felt increasingly alienated from the artisanal cafés and exclusive boutiques that defined their cityscape.