Chapter 3
For the next few days, I was completely absorbed in the research project my advisor had assigned.[]
Jessica, meanwhile, kept a much lower profile.[]
The day of the dinner, I’d overheard the hotel staff gossiping that Jessica had maxed out a shocking number of credit cards.]
She must have taken a massive financial hit.[]
The thought filled me with a quiet glee. It was the first step in making her reap what she’d sown.[]
Then, one day, she called me. Seeing her name flash on my screen, a smile crept across my face.
“Riley, don’t say I never look out for you. Since we were roommates for all those years, I’m inviting you to my engagement party.”
“My billionaire father–in–law said plenty of New York’s high society will be there. It’s a lot better than catering to some greasy, new–money slob, right?“]
Hearing this, I frowned, completely baffled by the bizarre fantasies she was spinning in her head.
When I didn’t answer right away, Jessica scoffed.[]
“What’s wrong? Jealous that I’m going to be a billionaire’s wife? Too scared to come?“]
the
I almost laughed out loud. But looking at the location on the e–vite, I replied.[]
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there.“[]
How could I possibly miss the show?]
On the day of the party, Jessica was decked out in a glamorous gown, a diamond necklace glittering at her throat.[]
The cronies she’d invited were all fawning over her.]
“How much must that necklace have cost?”
Jessica tilted her chin up, holding up a single finger.]]
Her follower gasped.]]
“A million for just the necklace? Your whole outfit must be worth as much as a villa!”
Just then, a mocking voice cut through the air.[]
“What a poser.“]
“An engagement party with a billionaire? What kind of billionaire picks a venue in the middle of nowhere? The Uber alone cost me a hundred bucks.“]
Chapter 3
“Besides, would a billionaire really be into her?“]
I followed the voice and saw it was a few classmates who had never gotten along with Jessica.[]
Jessica’s mouth twitched as she suppressed her irritation.]
She straightened her posture, doing her best to command their attention.]
“What’s the matter? Jealous that my life is finally turning out better than yours?“]
“As luck would have it, I happened to save a billionaire’s father, and the old man was so taken with my kindness and character that he insisted I become his daughter–in–law.”
As she spoke, she raised her hand to admire the massive diamond glittering on her finger.]]
“My billionaire father–in–law arranged everything.“[]
“And he chose this venue because it’s big enough to invite plenty of high–society guests. I wanted you all to see what real class looks like.”
“Consider this me paving the way for you, so you don’t all have to go back to your backwater towns and beg on the streets.“[]
The girls were taken aback by Jessica’s arrogance, but the blinding sparkle of her jewelry made them claims hard to dismiss.
One of them pouted, muttering a resentful curse under her breath.]
“Did she really get that lucky?“]
“It’s just a nobody striking it rich. So what if she marries a billionaire? Once he gets tired of her, she’ll be kicked to the curb.“]
As she spoke, her gaze landed on me.[]
“If you ask me, Riley’s the one with a real future. She got into grad school. Her potential is limitless.“]
“That’s a lot better than living in constant fear of being thrown out.“]
At that, Jessica burst into laughter.]
“And you call yourselves finance majors? Haven’t you heard the economy is tanking?“]
“So what if she has a master’s degree? She’ll still end up washing dishes and waiting tables.”
I looked down, a flicker of amusement in my eyes.[]
My advisor is a legend in his field, with connections to get his students into top firms both domestically and internationally.
In our last life, Jessica had been so arrogant, expecting a seven–figure salary right out of college.[]
And just as she said, the economy was in a downturn, and she couldn’t find a decent job.]
Her eyes lingered on me for a long moment before she spoke again, a sly smile on her face.[]
Chapter 3
“Oh, but Riley isn’t like other grad students. She has a sugar daddy to support her.“]]
“Just the other day, I saw her waiting on him hand and foot at that seven–star hotel. With her ‘grad student‘ status, I’m sure her future is limitless.”
My amused, detached expression froze on my face.]
