Chapter 2

"Congratulations on getting what you've always wished for," I answered blandly, completely unbothered. I didn't even spare a glance at the luxury car key Melanie was waving in my face.

After all, I had a drawer full of such keys at home.

Apparently, that wasn't the answer she had been expecting, for a visibly annoyed expression crossed her face.

She gritted out, "Don't you feel even the slightest bit of indignation?"

I genuinely didn't.

Melanie was already living her dream life, so why did she care so much about whether I was feeling indignant or not? Could it be that she would only be satisfied if she saw me broken and begging her desperately?

Before I could say anything, a voice rang out from behind me, the tone cold and filled with mockery, "Well, well, if it isn't Robert Solt!"

Kenneth Lipton, dressed in a smart tailored suit, strolled over to me languidly. One hand was tucked in his pants pocket, while the other held a crocodile leather Hermès briefcase.

"It's been a while, Robert. You know, I have to thank you." Wrapping an arm around Melanie's shoulders, Kenneth went on with a smile, "From what Melanie told me, you looked down on her when she was down-and-out, and that really hurt her feelings.

"Only because of that did she realize how great I was, so technically speaking, you're our matchmaker!

"Word of advice, buddy? You really need to know your own worth, too. A man like you…" Kenneth trailed off as he swept an assessing gaze over me.

Then, letting out a judgmental scoff, he added, "Seems you aren't doing too well. Then again, that's not very surprising. As if a normal, healthy woman would be interested in a poor and pathetic man like you."

At first, I didn't bother refuting their words or explaining anything. All I did was stare at them coldly.

In truth, I was rather confused. Melanie and I never even started dating in this life, so what was all this nonsense about me looking down on her when she was down-and-out?

It seemed like Melanie had ruthlessly painted me as such a villain in a bid to make Kenneth love her more. How very shameless.

I started to retort, "What sort of person I am—"

But a sweet voice suddenly called out from behind me, "Daddy!"

I turned to look, only to see Caroline running over to me while clutching the small gift her teacher had given her earlier.

However, Kenneth stepped into her path and crouched in front of her. Putting on a gentle demeanor, he said, "Hello, kid. I'm your daddy's friend. You can call me Mr. Lipton."

Subsequently, he pinched Caroline's cheek with deliberate force, instantly causing the tender skin to flush a bright red.

I swiftly smacked his hand away. "Kenneth Lipton, what are you doing?"

Kenneth wiped his hand with a handkerchief before answering flippantly, "I thought she was quite cute and couldn't help myself. What's wrong with pinching her cheeks? Is she too precious for such things?"

Rage burned in me, but before I could lash out, Kenneth pulled out an intricate-looking box from his bag. He opened it to reveal a beautiful pair of ballet shoes. With a smile, he said, "These are my daughter's shoes, but seeing how poor you are, I'm sure you can't afford a pair like them, so I'm gifting them to your daughter as a small gift."

Immediately, I pulled Coraline behind me defensively. "Thanks, but we don't need it."

I didn't want Caroline to accept a random stranger's gift, especially since I was well aware of Kenneth's true intentions.

"Are you looking down on me? It's just a pair of ballet shoes. Don't tell me you think I have ulterior motives toward her?"

Brushing off my refusal, Kenneth continued coming closer toward Caroline in an attempt to hand her the shoes.

My heart clenched in my chest, and without a second's hesitation, I shoved him away. "Kenneth Lipton, you keep your distance!"

Kenneth stumbled back with a yelp, the shoes in his hands flying out and landing smack dab in the middle of the fountain behind him. Some water also splashed out and landed on his briefcase.

His disheveled state had the other parents throwing sympathetic or confused looks over.

Kenneth's face was twisted in a furious grimace as he pointed a finger at me and shrieked, "Robert Solt, I know you're jealous of me because Melanie loves me. You can't stand the sight of me, and you hate me because I'm rich!

"Still, I never would've thought you would be so disgusting as to throw such an expensive pair of shoes in the water. Don't think that I'll let this slide just because we were once classmates!"

I had two entire shoe cabinets filled to the brim with such shoes at home.

Melanie also came over and shoved me with a glare, hissing, "Robert, do you know those shoes can't get wet? Kenneth was just being kind, wanting your kid to have a good start. As if it isn't bad enough that you don't appreciate his goodwill, you even attacked him!"

Kenneth was just being kind? Who would treat a child in that manner if they were being kind?

Utterly infuriated, I wanted to explain myself, but Melanie's accusation caused me to swallow my words. Not wanting to waste any more time on them, I asked, "How much are the shoes? I'll wire you the money."

Hearing that, Kenneth laughed. "After adding in the compensation for the emotional distress I suffered plus the water stains on my briefcase, the total you'll have to pay is 500 thousand dollars! That's five zeros! Judging from how you're wearing dollar store clothes and riding a secondhand motorcycle, are you sure you can pay us back?"

Without another word, I fished out my Black Card, which was in and of itself a symbol of status.

Upon spotting the card, both Melanie and Kenneth were dumbfounded.