Chapter 2

[He can forget about being my official boyfriend. At most, he'll be a backup.]

[And his family assets, his trust fund---I want it all!]

Shane quickly traced it back to that assistant.

But what I didn't expect was that the assistant adamantly refused to admit he'd been manipulated by Laura.

He only said he'd been confused for a moment, fell for Laura, and wanted to see her one last time during the chaotic baptism banquet.

When the assistant was dismissed, he cried and begged to see Laura one last time.

Mrs. Harris couldn't bear it and had someone notify Laura, but she never showed up.

Shane told me all this later.

A clown like her---I hadn't taken her seriously at all.

Until one day, when the jewelry store received a new collection, I happened to drop by.

After browsing without finding anything I liked, but not wanting to leave empty-handed, I casually picked up a bracelet.

Just as I was about to pay, a hand suddenly reached out beside me.

Laura first gave me a calm smile, then looked at the counter. "I'll pay for this gentleman's purchase. How much is it?"

The sales assistant waited a moment. Seeing I didn't speak, she finally said, "Fifty thousand, ma'am. Would you like me to wrap it for you?"

Laura's smile froze. In her mind, she'd already started cursing.

[Damn, I only came up to pay for him because he picked something so ordinary looking. I didn't expect it to be this expensive!]

[But I've already said it. I can't back out now. This man has probably never met a woman as generous as me, right?]

[Sure enough, no matter what era, men can't resist women willing to spend money on them!]

[Look, Ethan Reed was so harsh with me that day, but now he's obediently quiet, waiting for me to pay. Tsk...]

"Fifty thousand isn't expensive. If it makes Mr. Reed happy, it's worth it!"

Who knew that as soon as Laura finished speaking, the sales assistant would interject:

"Indeed not expensive. Every time Mr. Reed comes, he usually selects jewelry worth over a hundred thousand to take home."

"This time it's because our brand's new collection hasn't arrived yet, so nothing caught Mr. Reed's eye."

Having worked in this shopping district for so long, the sales assistant naturally excelled at reading people.

She glanced at Laura and continued:

"Just Miss Shane from the Shane Corporation alone---the jewelry she's bought this year to give Mr. Reed to wear for fun exceeds a hundred thousand!"

Laura's face turned ugly as she pressed her lips together. After a moment, she suddenly gave a bitter smile.

"Well, Miss Shane has a huge family business. Naturally I can't compare."

"But this is still my sincere gesture. To give Mr. Reed this bracelet, I scrimped and saved for a month..."

I couldn't hold back anymore and burst out laughing. "Idiot."

My blunt words completely stunned Laura.

"You're already this poor, yet instead of figuring out how to make money, you're focused on these cheap tricks."

"You have to scrimp and save for fifty thousand dollars? Why not use that money to help your dad pay off his debts?"

"And do I care if you buy me a bracelet? Did you forget you still owe me fifty thousand?"

"Last time you broke my antique ornament at the club---it was all caught on surveillance."

"When does Miss Stone plan to repay the money? You're not planning to default, are you?"

Laura's face flushed red. She stammered, unable to speak.

I lost patience and my face darkened. "I'm giving you three days. If you don't transfer the money to my account, I'll pursue legal action."

"Also, transfer the money to my assistant's account. Stop harassing me---I find you annoying."

"Walking around the whole city in that red dress every day---people who don't know better would think you're walking some third-rate red carpet!"

"An eyesore."

I finished speaking and turned to leave. Behind me were Laura's resentful curses.

[What does he know about fashion? What's wrong with a red dress?]

[Ethan Reed, that damn man, turns out he has a sharp tongue!]

[Looks like I can't get out of paying that fifty thousand.]

[But it doesn't matter. Once he marries me, I can get back however many fifty thousands I want.]

[When that time comes, I'll torture him properly to repay today's humiliation! Just wait---I definitely won't give up!]