Chapter 2

The call connected, and Jennifer's impatient voice came through like shards of ice. "What's wrong with the card you gave me? Why isn't it working? Get it sorted in half an hour. I'm not going to say it twice."

Without waiting for my reply, she hung up abruptly.

Almost immediately after that, Alan's phone rang again.

He glanced smugly at me, putting the call on speaker again.

Jennifer's voice came through, but this time, it was dripping with honeyed sweetness. "Don't worry, Alan. There was a small issue with the bank, but it's being sorted out. You should be able to use it in half an hour."

Her tone was completely different from when we spoke earlier—it was practically like night and day.

Alan's smile widened as he listened to her. He looked at me defiantly, his eyes filled with smugness and contempt. "You heard that, you country bumpkin? My girlfriend will give me anything I want!"

I sneered. So she was going to treat me like her personal bank, was she?

No, that wasn't quite right. A bank at least gained interest and some level of respect from its clients.

As for me, supporting her was one thing, but now I had to support her boy toy? Jennifer's scheming was truly something else—she was ruthless and extremely cunning.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in my heart. I was determined to settle the score with Jennifer and Alan.

I brought Lila over to the lounge area to sit down. Then I calmly watched Alan, waiting to see what he planned to do in half an hour.

Liam, having realized I hadn't left, approached me with a frown. His tone oozed impatience as he said, "What are you still doing here? Why haven't you left?"

He gave me a once-over, eyeing me as if I were trash. "People like you scare off my real customers."

He sneered at me, his expression full of malice.

I looked up at him and said calmly, "What if he can't buy it in half an hour? I can still purchase it, right? I'm just waiting."

Liam rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, his tone disdainful as he said, "Can you even afford it? What are you bragging about? Just look at yourself. You're trying to punch way above your weight!"

Meanwhile, Alan casually sat down on the other end of the lounge area.

Seeing that, Liam put on a fawning smile and scurried over immediately. He served Alan coffee and eagerly presented him with a selection of exquisite desserts before bringing over several of the latest watch models for him to browse.

"Don't be upset, Mr. Parr. These people are just here to cause trouble and ruin your shopping experience. Don't worry. Ms. Vale loves you so much—I'm sure she'll sort things out immediately."

Alan brought the cup to his lips and sipped his coffee elegantly. "My girlfriend has never broken a promise to me."

He jerked his chin at me, his gaze challenging. "Just wait and see if you don't believe me."

Liam chimed in immediately. "Indeed, Mr. Parr. You're leagues apart from these paupers. They can't possibly understand the world you come from. Some people simply can't stand seeing others succeed. If they can't have something, they want to make sure no one else gets it either."