Chapter 2

I woke up early the next morning.

Standing in the walk-in closet, staring at rows of custom suits and limited-edition watches, my chest tightened like it was being carved open.

Every single one of these had been a gift from Alisha.

Holidays, anniversaries, whether real or made-up, it didn’t matter. Even some random date I casually threw out, she’d remember and celebrate it for me.

People said she was stingy, but the truth was, she was only harsh on herself. When it came to Elyse and me, she never held back.

And now… these gifts were our only shot at turning things around.

I had to sell them. I had to get rid of everything.

I spent the entire day listing them on resale platforms. I priced them low—way lower than they were worth—because I needed cash, fast.

The same limited-edition pieces that once sat untouchable at the top of the market were now getting snapped up like discount produce at a street stall.

As I watched the balance in my account climb, I finally felt a flicker of relief.

It wasn’t nearly enough to cover the massive debt the Live Comment Feed kept talking about.

At least, maybe it meant Alisha could skip a few instant noodle meals. Maybe she could even add something extra, like a proper side dish.

By the time I was done packing boxes, my back was aching.

That was when Elyse came home from school. The moment she stepped inside, she tripped over the pile of packages scattered across the floor.

When she saw me stuffing my prized watches—the ones I used to treasure like my life—into cardboard boxes, she hurried over.

"Dad, don’t you want them anymore?" Her lips trembled, her big eyes filled with concern. "They’re still so new. Are you throwing them out to buy newer ones again?"

As she spoke, she gently ran her fingers over one of my watches.

That careful, almost pained expression… It was exactly the same look she had when I used to toss out her mom’s worn-out shirts without a second thought.

The irony made my chest tighten. I didn’t know whether to laugh or feel ashamed.

The comments flooded in again.

[Why’s this spendthrift suddenly doing a clearance sale?]

[What else? He probably knows her cash flow’s broken and is planning to run with the money.]

[Elyse was born into wealth, and now this idiot’s raised her to be this narrow-minded?]

[Don’t worry, once the real male lead shows up, their good days are coming.]

Damn these comments. Nothing but garbage.

I crouched down, meeting Elyse’s clear, worried gaze, and gently ruffled her hair. "I'm not throwing them away. And I’m not buying new ones either.

"I’m selling them for money… so we can save it. Put it in our little piggy bank. Mom’s been working really hard lately. I want to save up so we can buy good food for you and Mom, okay?"

The moment she heard it was for her mom, Elyse’s eyes lit up.

Just then, the landline rang.

I glanced over. Two words flashed across the screen: Xavier Shaw.

The Live Comment Feed exploded, flooding my entire vision.

[He’s here! The male lead is finally here!]

[Xavier Shaw, Alisha West’s college classmate. Sharp, capable, and great with money.]

[He’s definitely calling to help restructure her assets. She’s about to dump the useless Kayden.]

[The side character’s about to get what’s coming. This is satisfying to watch.]

My head buzzed like I’d been hit with something heavy.

Xavier Shaw?

The man who would help Alisha rise again… the one who knew how to live frugally and manage money?

I took a deep breath and pressed accept.

"Hello, Ms. West." A steady, professional male voice came through the line. "I've completed the asset restructuring plan you mentioned."

Asset restructuring?

Wasn’t that just a polite way of saying bankruptcy liquidation?