Chapter 2

"Amber... do you really not mind that I’m broke?"

Christian Vance’s Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he asked tentatively.

"Of course I don't mind!"

I sat up straight, riding the wave.

"I can tell you're an honest, down-to-earth guy, Christian. You're definitely not the lazy type. Being broke now doesn't mean you'll be broke forever."

I looked at him with a beaming smile.

Well, not exactly at him.

To be precise, I was staring at the golden wealth line rising behind him.

That glittering golden curve was shooting straight up, climbing faster and faster by the second.

So this was what a truly wealthy person looked like?

Even when he was doing absolutely nothing, his wealth was practically multiplying on its own.

If I could stick with him, I wouldn't just escape my toxic family—my future would be completely set.

While I was lost in my fantasy, Christian continued to test me.

"You're really sweet, Amber... But let me lay the ugly truth out first. I’m just a regular blue-collar worker. I barely make five thousand a month. No house, no car."

*[Lie.]*

"And I have an ailing father to support. Life with me will be very hard."

*[Lie.]*

*[All lies.]*

Red warning signs flashed wildly in my mind.

Five thousand a month? I glanced at the blazing golden line behind him and almost snorted.

No house, no car? Fine, whatever you say.

Since he wanted to play the part, I had to be his perfect co-star.

I reached out and firmly grasped his hand on the table, looking into his eyes with absolute sincerity.

"I really don't care about the money. As long as we work hard, our lives will get better and better!"

Christian stiffened at my sudden touch. He probably hadn't expected this kind of reaction.

He lowered his head, pretending to look even more self-conscious.

"Seeing me dressed so cheaply, riding a ragged Lime bike just to meet you... you really don't look down on me?"

Christian was wearing dirty canvas shoes, and his clothes were indeed very worn and cheap.

But the golden wealth line behind him was about to break through the ceiling.

I squeezed my thighs to keep from laughing out loud.

Forcing myself to look solemn, I replied, "I’m wearing old clothes passed down from my stepsister anyway. It seems we both know how to save money. No wonder we get along so well."

Chloe had previously tried to act poor on her blind dates to gain sympathy from rich guys so they would spend money on her.

But she never expected this.

Christian had beaten her to the punch, pretending to be broke to test his date.

Seeing that I was indeed dressed in faded clothes and looked thin and pale, Christian’s suspicion seemed to fade a little.

But his test wasn't over yet.

"Since you think so highly of me, Amber, we can't just sit here drinking cheap coffee. Let me buy you lunch."

"We can talk about our future wedding, too."

When he pulled out his phone to pay the bill, he made sure I saw the badly cracked screen of his old phone.

I didn't say a word.

Instead, I pulled out my own shattered phone and bought him a bottle of cold water.

"It's hot today. Have some water. We have to start saving money from now on."

I wanted to see just how far Christian was going to take this act.

He led me down the street and stopped in front of a cheap, low-end buffet.

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