Chapter 2

Celine grinned wide. "Felix, see? I told you I'm quite popular. You'd better keep an eye on me, or someone might steal me away, and you'll regret it."

Not only did she not understand what I said, but she was ridiculously full of herself.

I was out of ideas when dealing with someone this shameless. I picked up the plate of garlic butter shrimp and was about to dump it in the trash.

"You two really are a perfect match. You're both equally adept at playing the unreasonable fool. Since you can't respect my hard work, you don't have to eat it."

Layla rushed into the kitchen behind me and quickly grabbed my hand before whispering, "Isaac, don't get upset. Felix is young and doesn't know any better. Let's be the bigger people here. Don't let him get to you. I'll have Celine talk to him later.

"This is Felix's first time here, and it has taken Celine so long to find a boyfriend. Please, let it slide for my sake. The shrimp is really good. Don't throw it away, okay? Please."

Seeing her so humble, I couldn't bring myself to refuse, so I put the plate of shrimp back on the table.

Layla lost her husband before she even turned 30 years old. Raising Celine on her own hadn't been easy.

But Felix wasn't having any of it. "Ha! You act tough for a second and then back off? Such a joke! You're just pretending to be forgiving to impress Celine so she'll compare you to me and think you're more considerate.

"After all, you're even taking care of her mom. How nice of you. You should look in the mirror. You're old and ugly. Celine would never fall for you."

Desperate to de-escalate the situation, Layla rushed to clarify, "Felix, Isaac has a fiancee."

But Felix refused to believe it and continued his sarcastic tirade, "Don't think I can't see through your little act. Look at him, with that pathetic face. Any woman who'd date him must be blind."

I thought I could just grit my teeth and move on, but he kept pushing his luck, relentless as ever. He was like a carrion fly, impossible to shake off and utterly nauseating.

I laughed out of frustration. "You're more pathetic, uglier, and completely lacking in manners. Any woman who'd date you is just as blind."

With that, I stood up and turned to Layla. "Mrs. Fletcher, I have to go. You all enjoy your meal. Consider this dinner a free gift from me."

I started to walk away, but Layla grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

Celine, probably upset at being put in her place, sneered at me. "Isaac, you've been coddled by your own success for far too long. The moment you meet someone superior, you can't handle it and start getting all sarcastic. You've got no class."

After insulting me, Celine got a kiss from Felix. "Babe, that was perfect. You can't stand a simp too, huh?"

He shot me a disdainful look and then continued his mocking, "Isaac, face reality. No matter how much you try to act all mature and generous, Celine will never like you.

"The more you act like this, the more hypocritical you look. It's really fake. Though, I must say, this frantic loss of your cool has aged you a decade in an instant. You look like a weary old man."

He laughed afterward.

The anger that had been building inside me erupted. I clenched my fists, ready to explode.

But before I could react, Celine jumped in, saying, "Felix, you really hit a nerve with Isaac. If he loses his temper, he'll beat you up. He's been bullying me for years."

She turned to wink at me. Her tone dripped with spite as she said, "Isaac, look at you now. Finally, there's someone who can put you in your place. Let's see if you dare bully me again after this."

I used to feel sorry for Celine since she had grown up without a father. I had always treated her like a little sister and protected her. If anyone bullied her, I was always the first to step in and defend her.

I might have been a little domineering in front of her, but she'd never complained.

Now, she was calling me a simp for her boyfriend.

I couldn't take it anymore. I flipped the entire table, sending all the dishes crashing to the floor.

I marched over to Celine and slapped her across the face. "Then, get the hell away from me! You and your boyfriend aren't even worthy of serving me!"

Amid their sudden outbursts of shock, I turned and walked out.