Chapter 4

The photo was of Calvin attending an event overseas. So, it turned out he was actually the heir to the Fulton family, the most powerful family in our city.

In the photo, he wore a luxurious custom three-piece suit and a watch worth millions, and rode in a Rolls-Royce with a full entourage of bodyguards around him.

I thought about how this rich heir, who was totally out of my league, had gone out of his way to dress shabbily and look unkempt when meeting me for cheap street food. I nearly burst out laughing.

Calvin had really gone all in just to test his online girlfriend.

Afraid that Yvonne would somehow track him down and expose the fact that I'd been impersonating her, I racked my brains trying to appease her.

"You're overthinking this," I said. "The first time he treated me to a meal, it was a 15-dollar buffet-style boxed meal. Every time we meet up, we only go for cheap street food.

"He only has one set of clothes that he rotates over and over, and his slippers are falling apart. How could he possibly be the Fulton family's heir?"

Seeing the doubt in Yvonne's eyes as she looked me over, I quickly pulled out my phone and showed her the photos I had taken of us eating at street stalls, along with the bill totals.

She scrolled through my phone for a long time. Then, she dragged her gaze over my clothes—the same ones I'd worn for years—and only then did she reluctantly let go of her suspicions.

"Makes sense. If he really were some rich heir, how could he not spend money on you and still be slumming it at cheap places with you? And someone that high-class would definitely have high standards. No way he'd go for a broke nobody like you."

Before she left, she couldn't resist throwing in a few more nasty jabs at me.

"You were born pathetic, Tessa. Trash like you only deserves to hang around losers. When you're out in public, don't you dare say you're from the Reed family. My parents can't afford the shame," she spat.

Looking at the smug, domineering look on her face, I swallowed my resentment. Despite myself, a tiny thread of anticipation rose in my chest.

If one day, Calvin stood firmly by my side as the Fulton family's rightful heir and made Yvonne eat her words in front of me, how would she react?

I only indulged in that fantasy for a few seconds before I shook my head, forcing myself to stop daydreaming. The fact that Calvin had given me such a good job made me feel like I'd already hit the jackpot. How could I dare hope for a miracle to actually happen to someone like me?

Once I composed myself, I kept my head down and quietly got through another three peaceful days.

…

That day after work, I'd just stepped out of the company building when a Rolls-Royce suddenly pulled up right in front of me.

The rear window slowly rolled down. Calvin's face—both familiar and strangely distant at the same time—appeared before my eyes.

"Tessa, get in. There's something I need to talk to you about," he said.

All the other employees stopped in their tracks, staring and whispering to each other about my relationship with Calvin.

My mind short-circuited. I couldn't believe Calvin had actually revealed his identity in front of everyone.

Seeing the stunned look on my face as I stood frozen there, Calvin chuckled and opened the door, stepping out of the car. "What are you spacing out for? We've only been apart for a few days, and you've already forgotten me?"

As he walked toward me with that gentle look in his eyes, my heart pounded violently in my chest.

Maybe miracles really did happen.

Just as I hesitated over how to respond to him, a shrill voice suddenly rang out from behind me.

"Mr. Fulton! Tessa has tricked you—she's not the real Cindy who's been chatting with you online. She's an impostor!"

My breath hitched, and I stiffly turned around.

Yvonne came charging over. "I'm Yvonne Reed. I'm Cindy, the one who was really in an online relationship with you!"

When I saw Calvin's expression darken, I felt like I'd been plunged into an ice-cold abyss. All the blood drained from my face.

I was done for.

I'd waited so long for Calvin to come clean to me about who he really was. If he found out that our entire relationship was built on my deception… Forget about latching onto him. I would probably lose the job I depended on just to survive.

I wanted so badly to open my mouth and explain everything to him, but fear made my throat close up, and I couldn't force out a single word.

Contemptuous, mocking stares closed in on me from every direction, making me so nervous that I couldn't even lift my head.

"Look—this is my account. These are our chat logs, and these are the photos I sent you. I have tons of proof that Tessa has been lying to you! You can't let this scammer off the hook!" Yvonne cried.