"How DARE he not answer?!"
Lila's eyes burned with rage.
She made up her mind on the spot.
She would break off the engagement — if she didn't scare Kael back into line, he'd start thinking they were equals.
But that could wait.
Right now, she was stuck in this fancy restaurant, and the waiter was staring at her like she was a thief.
She tossed her head, pretending to be arrogant.
"Quit looking at me! One call, and someone will be here to pay!"
Inside, she was fuming.
Who needs Kael's simping? I've got plenty of guys waiting.
In high school, dozens of guys had chased her. None were as rich as Kael, but some still had cash. Like Derek Coleman.
He'd been the second-most desperate guy after Kael.
She dialed him.
"Whoa, the one and only Lila! I was just about to call you!"
His voice was greasy, full of himself.
Lila frowned.
She hated dealing with guys like Derek. With Kael, everything was free and unconditional.
Derek always wanted something in return.
"Derek, I'm —"
"Wait, say my name again. Please."
Lila's skin crawled.
She raised her voice.
"Derek! I need help."
"Anything for you! I'd climb the moon for you!"
"I… I forgot my money when I went out. Can you come pay for me?"
"Sure thing! But… it's pretty late. If I go all the way to campus, I can't get back tonight."
"What do you want?"
Derek chuckled.
He knew Lila was out of his league — slow and steady.
"Nothing much. I pay for your dinner… you take me to a movie tonight."
And in the dark? Holding hands, maybe a kiss. That was the plan.
Lila had no choice.
"Fine. I'll take you to a movie."
"Great! Send the address!"
"White Oak French Restaurant, near Central Plaza."
"…What?!" Derek's voice jumped. "White Oak? How much?!"
"2,888. Bring 3,000 for tip and fees."
The line went dead silent.
Lila snapped: "Derek! Say something!"
He burst out laughing, cold and cruel.
"Lila, you're either spoiled or stupid. 3,000 bucks? Who the hell do you think you are?!"
Lila froze, shocked.
"How DARE you speak to me like that?!"
"Like what? You think you're a princess? I can get 10 girls for 3,000 bucks. You think you're worth 10 combined? I've never even been to White Oak!"
"I'll never talk to you again!"
"Ooh, I'm so scared. Newsflash: I only pretended to like you to annoy Kael! You think I actually wanted you? I've dated 8 girls while chasing you. You act pure but take everything like a user. Total fake."
He hung up.
Blocked her.
Lila stood there, stunned.
Fake. User. Worthless.
Those words cut deeper than any insult.
And he wasn't entirely wrong.
She stumbled, grabbed the table, and sat down, pale and shaking.
The whole restaurant was whispering.
They didn't hear the call, but they saw her face.
Some girls next to their boyfriends straightened up.
Don't be like her.
The waiter stood over her, no more politeness left.
"Miss, you need to pay."
"J‑just wait…"
Lila called every high school friend she had.
Messaged them on QQ.
"3,000? I'm not Kael, I don't have that!"
"Ask Kael! Why me?"
"Did you fight with him? Just apologize."
"Every time you hung out, Kael paid. Why would I pay for you?"
One even said:
"Derek just exploded on you in the group chat. What happened? I don't have money either. Go to Kael."
2005. QQ groups were new, and everyone from their city was in one.
Derek had ranted about everything to save his own reputation.
Kael was in that group too.
He saw everything.
And he didn't care.
One by one, everyone gave the same answer.
Go to Kael.
The message hit her like a truck.
Without Kael,
no money.
no respect.
no one to run to.
It was the truth she'd refused to see her whole life.