Chapter 1

If Grandpa hadn't kept urging me, saying that Hugo Crawford was really reliable, I wouldn't have bothered going on a blind date at all.

After all, I simply had no time to spare, for I had a company to run and the occasional get-together with the well-connected heirs in my social circle to attend.

But I never expected that just after I sat down and exchanged a few words with Hugo, a woman would suddenly rush over.

"A fake socialite like you thinks you can deceive Hugo? Just how shameless can you be?"

I was stunned. "What do you mean, fake socialite?"

I looked over my outfit from head to toe—Chanel clothes, a Patek Philippe watch, and a Hermès bag.

I had put great care into dressing for this blind date. Everything was custom-ordered at high prices directly from the brand headquarters, so how could any of it be fake?

I was just about to explain, but the woman became even more aggressive.

"What are you looking at? You think you're all that just because you're covered from head to toe in designer brands? How much are you planning to squeeze out of Hugo?"

Although I didn't fully grasp what she meant, I did catch one word—Hugo.

It seemed she knew Hugo.

I raised my eyes to look at Hugo and signaled him with a glance to give me an explanation.

Hugo reached out and took hold of the woman.

"Marlene, stop it," he said, his tone one of affectionate resignation.

Then, he turned to me and offered a perfunctory explanation. "This is my neighbor, Marlene Welch. Her ex-boyfriend ran off with a gold digger, so now she can't stand women who wear designer brands. Please don't take it personally."

Though he said "please don't take it personally", his tone carried not the slightest reproach toward her.

"Don't take it personally?" I chuckled coldly. "Mr. Crawford, I'm not a therapist. Her breakup has nothing to do with me, but slandering me? That I won't stand for. She'd better watch her mouth next time, or I'll have my lawyer send a cease-and-desist letter immediately."

Marlene let out an exaggerated laugh.

"Lawyer? Cease-and-desist letter? Oh wow, you're really getting into character, aren't you? A fake socialite like you actually thinks you're somebody?"

I couldn't be bothered to engage with her. My gaze was fixed squarely on Hugo's face.

"Mr. Crawford, not only did you bring your childhood friend along to a blind date, but you also let her launch personal attacks against me. Is this the upbringing of a so-called scholarly family?"

Marlene shrieked before Hugo could respond, "Don't you use his family to pressure Hugo! Everything I said was the truth! What's the matter? Did I hit a nerve, and now you're getting worked up?"

She crossed her arms and swept a disdainful look over my outfit.

"You put on this whole pampered heiress act with the designer clothes and jewelry just so men will willingly bankroll you.

"All this designer stuff must be from some ex-boyfriend you bled dry, right? Since I was little, I've seen plenty of fake socialites like you who'll stop at nothing to marry into money and bleed a man dry."

Her brainless remarks made me laugh in sheer disbelief.

"I bought all of these with my own money."

The contempt on Marlene's face deepened.

"You bought them with your own money? And how exactly did you earn that money? By pretending to be a socialite and scamming men out of theirs?"

I let out a laugh.

My family's motto had always been never to use the family name to throw our weight around, but this was the first time I had ever been called a fake socialite to my face.

I had completely run out of patience and turned my gaze straight to Hugo.

"Mr. Crawford, let's call it a day with this blind date."

I never wanted to see a blind date partner like this a second time.

I raised my hand and gestured for the waiter to bring the bill. But just as I picked up my bag and was about to leave, Marlene pressed her hand down on mine.

"You want to leave? First, settle the damages."