Chapter 2

Chase's words instantly piqued everyone's curiosity.

No one could reconcile the guy who just casually pulled out a hundred thousand dollars in cash with someone whose parents supposedly had to sell their home just for tuition.

Just as I wondered how Chase even found out about that, Chloe stepped out from behind him.

She wrapped her arms intimately around Chase's biceps. Her neck was covered in fresh marks.

Noticing my glare, Chloe deliberately tugged down her collar to flaunt them:

"What are you staring at, Sean? Did you really think giving me a few cheap knockoffs would make me date you?!"

"Take your trash and get the hell away from me!"

Chloe dumped a velvet jewelry box onto the floor, scattering necklaces, rings, and gems everywhere.

Chloe was the girl I had crushed on for three years.

To win her over, I had gifted her countless high-end pieces, and I had even confided in her about where my tuition came from.

I never imagined she would turn my honesty into a weapon for Chase to humiliate me.

Glancing down at the jewelry tangled on the floor, Chloe flaunted the diamond Cartier bracelet on her wrist.

"Look at this. This is what a real gift looks like!"

"You're just a broke loser trying to pass off junk metal as fine jewelry. Did you think I was stupid?!"

"I'm warning you, stay away from me. I don't want your broke-ass stench rubbing off on me!"

The classmates who had praised me seconds ago instantly shifted their looks to pure mockery.

"So the hundred grand is fake after all! I knew nobody drops a hundred grand in cash just to help a roommate. It really was all for clout. How shameless!"

"Sean must be bitter that he can't compete with Chase and that Chloe chose Chase over him. If his parents knew they sold their house just to raise a fake clout-chaser, they'd die of shame!"

Amid their ridicule, I didn't feel a shred of embarrassment.

Chloe wasn't lying. I really did tell her that my parents sold a house to cover my college fees.

What I never mentioned was that my family owned thousands of houses.

I preferred staying low-key, so I never flaunted my real background.

As the nation's top real estate empire, my family owned prime developments across the globe.

Jonathan Vance, the wealthiest real estate tycoon in New York, is my father.

Looking at Chase and Chloe basking in their smugness, I pointed at the scattered jewelry.

"Since you claim they're cheap junk, do you dare call an expert appraiser right now?"

"If these pieces are authentic, you're paying me back full price!"

Hearing me dare to talk back, Chase laughed out loud to Chloe:

"Take the bet! Let's see how a broke peasant could ever afford real high jewelry!"

Chloe, however, hesitated.

Sensing her hesitation, Chase pulled her closer by the shoulders.

"What are you scared of? If anything happens, I've got your back! Do you really think I can't afford pocket change like that?"

"Today, I'm going to ruin Sean once and for all!"

With Chase's backing, Chloe regained her nerve.

"Fine! Let's bet! But let's raise the stakes!"

"If this junk is fake, you have to get on your knees in front of everyone and beg Chase and me for forgiveness!"

"If it's real, Chase and I will not only pay you back in full, but we'll also kneel and apologize to you! How about that?"

Watching the two of them jump straight into the pit they dug for themselves, a cold smirk curved my lips.

"Then everyone here can be our witnesses!"