But Claire knew something nobody else in that room knew. Nolan was the biggest donator at the charity event, which meant he wasn’t who she thought he was. He wasn’t poor or struggling anymore. He wasn’t someone that couldn’t afford things. Nolan was rich, and she had the proof from upstairs earlier. She had seen the truth with her own eyes. That meant everything everyone believed right now was a lie, and she was sitting there pretending along with them.She wanted to find more about him, thinking about who he truly was, about what else he might be hiding and about how someone like him could blend in so well like he was nothing. She wanted answers because Nolan wasn’t simple and she knew it now. She made a decision right there while everyone laughed around her. She was going to find out the whole truth about him, every detail, secret and everything he didn’t show anyone.She wasn’t going to tell the others anything until she knew exactly who he was and wasn’t going to share any infor

The entire mood of the party turned sour immediately. Nobody had anything to say again. Everyone just sat there, quiet and tense, because their minds were busy thinking about the same thing, which was about Nolan.They were all wondering how he was able to pay for all the food and drinks. One minute they were mocking him for being poor, and the next minute they found out he paid for everything without even being there to prove anything. It was confusing, embarrassing, and annoying for them all at the same time.Ginny tried to force a smile as she thanked everyone for coming, but even she couldn’t hide the frustration in her voice. People slowly started to leave the hall one by one, still whispering among themselves about Nolan and nobody was thinking about Ginny’s birthday anymore. Damien, on the other hand, was drowning in rage. The reason he had been doing all of this from the beginning wasn’t even because he truly liked Ginny. He didn’t want her as a real girlfriend. He wanted som

“I’m being honest,” Fred said to Claire as he tugged on her arm a little harder, trying to make her look at him. “I was really joking all through. I love you and you alone. Nobody else.”“Better,” Claire muttered, trying her hardest not to smile even though the smile was already creeping onto her face. “It’s better I’m the only woman in your life because to be honest, I don’t think anyone can love you the way I do.”“Are you sure about that?” Fred asked, raising a brow with a teasing smirk. “Are you sure you really love me?”“Of course I do,” Claire replied immediately, looking offended that he would even dare to ask. “How will you question the love that I have for you?”“Then prove it,” Fred said, his voice dropping low as he licked his lips slowly. “I want you to prove it to me tonight.”“Ohh… I see now,” Claire said with a playful giggle. “I totally understand what you’re trying to play out, you sneaky man.” She leaned closer, smiling at him. “Okay then, what do you want me to do?

Savannah started to think about how she had treated Nolan all this while, and deep down she knew there was absolutely no way he would ever accept her with open arms again. She even insulted him at Ginny’s party and always found every slight thing he did disgusting, like nothing he ever did was good enough for her.“What have I done… what have I done…” Savannah muttered to herself as she groaned out loud and paced around, feeling her chest tighten.She ran her hands through her hair aggressively, almost pulling it, because now everything was starting to set in. Nolan wasn’t the broke guy she thought. He wasn’t the embarrassment she used to complain about. He wasn’t the person she looked down on. He actually had money. The kind of money she would have enjoyed if she hadn’t messed things up. If she had just stayed with him, she would have been the girlfriend of a rich man and she wouldn’t be here beating herself up like this.The more she thought about it, the more overwhelmed she became

Ginny and Savannah had texted Nolan already, showing clearly that they believed he was the one who paid for the meal with his own money. If they, of all people, could admit that he paid from his pocket, shouldn’t Jett and his stupid minions also be aware of that? Or what exactly were they trying to do? Were they aware of the truth and just decided to twist it into a lie that would make him look terrible?Nolan shook his head slowly. He couldn’t understand how people could be this wicked and shameless.“Oh, the thief has chosen to grace us with his presence.”A loud voice rang out in the entire class, making everyone turn instantly. Of course, it was Jett, and right beside him was Damien, smiling like a fool that didn’t have sense.“You really have no shame, Nolan,” Jett continued loudly, making sure everyone heard him. “How can you still show your face after stealing? Have you become that shameless? Don’t you know how disturbingly embarrassing this is? I’ve never seen a thief like yo