Chapter 2

As for me, the poor and difficult female antagonist, I lived a miserable life after leaving Julian. Unable to accept it, I returned and pursued him again.

I created one misunderstanding after another and kept entangling myself with them.

In the end, Marigold completely exposed my facade, and everyone despised me.

After everything we went through, her relationship with Julian grew even stronger.

I eventually suffered endless torment and died in poverty and regret. Julian and Marigold held a grand wedding on a private island, then lived happily ever after.

What a melodramatic love triangle.

If I hadn't been the disposable side character, I would have been happy to watch this story unfold.

Marigold ran out crying.

I rubbed my brows irritably and leaned over to look down. Julian was holding a huge bouquet of roses and waiting beside the hood of his car.

Quite a few people had gathered to watch the spectacle.

I checked my phone.

Message after message came from Julian.

[Ash, you've made your point. Come down, and I'll take you to the new restaurant that opened recently. The decor is exactly your style.]

[I won't criticize you for being poor, but you have to remember that we come from different social circles. Money has always been able to buy me whatever I want.]

[You can act up a little, but you should also understand that my patience has limits. You've completely disregarded my reputation, and that makes me look bad in our social circle. Put yourself in my position and try to understand me, all right?]

"Ashley Scott, you're being incredibly cruel."

Marigold had returned at some point. Her eyes were red as she glared at me furiously.

"Julian treats you so well, yet you trample all over his feelings."

[Exactly. The male lead is devoted to this female antagonist and gives her everything she wants, yet she's still ungrateful.]

[People from humble backgrounds really don't know how to appreciate a good opportunity. She managed to land a wealthy boyfriend and still doesn't know how to keep him. If I were that lucky, I'd never act so ungrateful.]

[I feel so sorry for the male lead. He's given her everything, only to be treated like this by the female antagonist.]

[Fortunately, we have our darling female lead. These two wounded souls can heal each other. They're clearly meant to be together.]

"If you feel so sorry for him, why don't you go say that to his face?"

I looked Marigold up and down and gave a mocking laugh.

"Then again, I forgot. As far as Julian is concerned, you're nothing more than my 'best friend.'"

Marigold's face paled before she clenched her fists.

"If you hadn't become the student speaker at the school honors ceremony, Julian would have been my boyfriend."

I found the claim absurd.

"You weren't good enough and lost the spot, yet you still somehow blame me."

Marigold gritted her teeth. "Who knows what tricks you used? Didn't you scheme your way into becoming the student speaker just to attract men's attention?

"You must have been thrilled when you got Julian's attention, right?"

Was that true?

That outcome had never been my intention.

At the beginning of my sophomore year, the school selected its outstanding students and then chose one representative to give a speech.

During her freshman year, Marigold's grades had been decent, and she worked hard enough to secure a position as a student council officer.

However, outstanding students had to rank in the top ten percent of their major, and she didn't meet that requirement.

She pestered her academic advisor relentlessly, using her various token awards and student-union position to secure a spot despite not qualifying.