Chapter 5

I didn't care what Tyler whispered behind my back. He would expose himself eventually anyway.

After Orientation Week, I was busy with classes and competitions. I really didn't have time to pay attention to him.

But the gifts and food deliveries from Chloe never stopped, which always brought out Tyler's sour remarks.

Eventually, I just ignored him completely, and he quieted down.

Until one day, he suddenly announced he was in a relationship and wanted to buy us dinner.

I didn't want to go, but Lucas felt a bit awkward going alone and asked me to accompany him.

The venue turned out to be *The Gilded Lily*. When we arrived, we realized he had also invited other classmates he was close with.

"Everyone, meet my girlfriend, Bridget. She’s an heiress of the Vanderbilt family," Tyler introduced proudly, holding her hand.

Bridget smiled politely and told everyone to order whatever they wanted.

Only I knew she was a "Wish-app socialite." She chipped in with other girls to rent luxury venues just to take photos for Instagram.

She built a fake heiress persona online to attract followers.

"Man, Tyler, your girlfriend is gorgeous! She looks like an influencer!" Mason from the next dorm said supportively.

"Bridget does have a decent following. I'm a visual person, I like pretty girls. Money doesn't really matter to me."

"At least she's not fat. I could never stomach that," Tyler laughed, looking at me.

"Ethan, I saw your phone wallpaper. That’s your girlfriend, right? You should really tell her to lose weight. Even if she's a new-money snob, she doesn't need to be that fat." Tyler had actually snuck a photo of my wallpaper and was showing it around to everyone.

My wallpaper was indeed Chloe, but it was a photo from her high school days.

She had gained weight back then due to the side effects of some medication.

It had taken me a long time to convince her to give me that photo.

Even though she was a bit chubby, she wasn't ugly at all. She was adorable.

I got angry. "Tyler, is it polite to judge someone's appearance like that? Besides, you took a photo of my phone without my permission. That's an invasion of privacy."

Seeing my serious expression, the people who were snickering stopped.

Dylan, acting as the peacemaker, stepped in. Tyler reluctantly deleted the photo, and the tension eased.

To save face, Tyler specifically ordered several expensive dishes.

Losing my appetite, I ate a few bites and left.

Because of that, I missed the drama that followed.