Chapter 3

My composure took everyone completely by surprise.

“Settle accounts? How are you going to do that? Can you even pay?” shouted one of Jenson’s friends. “Don’t think playing tough will let you wiggle out of this! If you can’t get the money today, we’ll call the cops and report you for fraud!”

“Exactly! A gold digger living off a man, and she has the nerve to talk back!”

Laughter and taunts swirled around me, but I paid them no mind. I reached into my pocket, took out my phone, and made a call. “Mrs. Zane, you may come in.”

No sooner had I spoken than the doors of the banquet hall swung open. A poised, professional middle-aged woman stepped inside.

Mrs. Zane walked straight to my side and placed a file on the table, sliding it in front of Jenson.

“Mr. Middleton, regarding the financial dispute between you and my client, we've prepared a detailed account for your review.”

Jenson froze for a moment as he stared at the document, seemingly too stunned to even reach for it.

“First, the car, valued at 230,000 dollars.” Mrs. Zane’s assistant immediately turned on a laptop and projected a bank transfer record onto the large screen.

“The payment for the car did come from your account, Mr. Middleton. However, the day before the purchase, an amount of 250,000 dollars was transferred from Ms. Hale’s personal account to your account… Mr. Middleton, how do you explain this?”

Jenson’s face was drained of all color.

“T-That… That was a voluntary gift from her!” Jenson stammered, trying to defend himself.

“Whether it was a gift will be decided in court.” Mrs. Zane remained unmoved and went on, “Next, regarding the club spending you mentioned, we've contacted the bank and obtained surveillance footage from Sunshine Club.”

A video appeared on the big screen.

A woman resembling me was using the very card I had never touched, making repeated transactions.

“Our investigation shows that this card is indeed the same one given out by Mr. Middleton. Someone told this woman it was an extra card belonging to a wealthy client, with unlimited spending. All she had to do was sign the name ‘Estelle Hale.’”

Mrs. Zane paused for a moment and looked at Jenson with sharp, unwavering eyes. “Mr. Middleton, you forged signatures, misused another person’s bank card, and used it as false evidence to maliciously defame my client. Do you need me to remind you of the crimes these acts constitute?”

Jenson trembled all over. He wavered on his feet and staggered backward, but he was caught by one of his friends.

The hall fell silent. Everyone was frozen, stunned by this shocking reversal.

“That’s not possible… I didn’t…” Jenson’s lips quivered as panic crept into his eyes.

“Finally, let’s discuss the so-called expenses you claim to have spent on Ms. Hale.” Mrs. Zane picked up the card I had placed on the table.

“From the day this card was entrusted to my client, she has not spent a single cent. In fact…” Mrs. Zane’s tone sharpened, slicing through the tension. “Over the past year, she has deposited a total of 374,000 dollars into this card!”

Another detailed record of deposits appeared on the screen, each entry marked with the date and amount.

“And where did this money go? We've investigated that as well.”

One by one, the transaction history appeared on the screen.

“A Hermès classic handbag that cost 38,000 dollars. A total of 120,000 dollars was spent to repay your father’s gambling debts. 150,000 dollars was spent to cover the losses of your brother’s failed startup.”

It became clear that Jenson's glamorous lifestyle had been supported by me, the so-called 'gold digger'.

“Mr. Middleton, your claim for 800,000 dollars in compensation is utterly baseless.” Mrs. Zane’s voice cut like ice. “Now, you owe my client 374,000 dollars, plus the car.”

“No… It’s not like that…” Jenson was completely panicking now. He looked around desperately, seeking help from a woman in the crowd.