2025-04-11 18:16:34Jackson extended his hand politely to greet Claire, but she didn’t even bother to look at him.
Instead, she simply turned back to her drink, taking a slow sip as if he didn’t exist.
Jackson’s hand hung in the air for a few seconds before he withdrew it. His chest tightened, but he masked his feelings well. This wasn’t the first time someone treated him like he was invisible.
Nancy wasn’t surprised. She knew Claire well—if she was interested in a guy, she would talk to him; otherwise, she ignored them completely.
Jackson didn’t say a word. He simply found a spot with James, Andrew, and the other guys in their circle, settling into the lounge.
The music pulsed in the background. The dim lighting of the club cast long shadows, flickering across the luxurious decor. Everything about this place screamed wealth, status, and privilege—everything Jackson didn’t have.
But he didn’t care. Not really.
Then, Jonah’s voice cut through the music.
“So, Jackson… What did you get Nancy for her birthday?”
The question hung in the air.
James and Andrew exchanged glances—they already knew where this was going.
Jonah was at it again.
Jackson ignored him.
But Jonah wasn’t the type to let things go. He leaned forward, his sharp gaze settling on the black nylon bag Jackson had placed on the table beside him. His smirk widened.
“Is that it? In the nylon bag?”
The mockery in his tone was obvious.
James finally had enough.
“Dude, what the hell is your problem? Why are you always picking on Jackson?”
Jonah just laughed, completely unfazed.
He thrived on this. On humiliating others. On making himself look superior.
Instead of answering, he reached under the table and pulled out a carefully wrapped designer bag, Chanel Black—a statement of wealth and taste. He held it up for everyone to see.
“Here’s my gift for Nancy,” he said smugly.
Gasps rippled through the girls at the table.
Claire and her dormitory friends instantly perked up, eyes gleaming with admiration.
One of the girls leaned in, whispering excitedly, “That’s Chanel’s newest collection!”
Another added, “The market price for that bag is at least $15,000!”
Claire, who had previously given Jonah little attention, now looked at him with interest.
Jonah smirked at her reaction and played it off with false humility.
“Actually, I got it for $14,500 thanks to my dad’s connections,” he said, shrugging. “These things are nearly impossible to get otherwise.”
The admiration in Claire’s eyes deepened.
Even though she knew Jonah had a reputation as a playboy, she found herself impressed. He wasn’t just wealthy—he was generous and bold.
Jonah turned to her with a knowing smile. “What do you think?”
Claire exhaled, slightly envious. “I’ve always wanted one, but the price is above my budget.”
Jonah’s grin widened.
“Tell you what,” he said smoothly, leaning in. “I’ll buy one for you on your birthday.”
Claire blinked, genuinely taken aback.
Her friends squealed with excitement.
“Wow, Claire, you’re so lucky!” One of them gushed.
“You’d be a fool to turn him down,” another whispered.
Claire hesitated. She had never really considered Jonah seriously, but this was… interesting.
She smiled—just a little.
Jonah basked in the attention.
Nancy, meanwhile, sat quietly. She hated Jonah, but she accepted the gift without a word.
Jonah wasn’t done, though. His gaze slid back to Jackson.
“So, Jackson,” he drawled, tilting his head. “Aren’t you going to show us what you got Nancy?”
James clenched his fists. “Enough, man.”
Nancy, tired of Jonah’s antics, turned to Jackson and smiled warmly.
“I’ll be happy with whatever he got me,” she said firmly.
But her eyes held a trace of doubt.
She had expected something small but thoughtful—maybe a book, a watch, or even a favorite snack. Not… whatever was inside that nylon bag.
Jackson regretted not waiting for the luxury packaging. He had prioritized getting to the party on time over presentation.
Now, that decision was costing him.
Taking a deep breath, Jackson reached into the black nylon and pulled out the bag.
The moment it was visible, Claire’s expression shifted.
She froze.
Jonah, however, burst into mocking laughter.
“Wait—” he gasped between laughs. “Did you just buy a Birkin bag?!”
His voice dripped with sarcasm.
The girls around Claire burst into giggles.
Claire herself looked at Jackson like he had just embarrassed himself beyond repair.
She couldn’t believe it.
“A Birkin?” she said, her tone sharp. “You’re joking, right?”
Jackson furrowed his brows.
“What’s funny?” he asked, confused.
Claire scoffed.
“You really don’t know, do you?” she said. “Birkin bags are one of the rarest luxury items in the world. Only 999 are made each year. They sell for $75,000—and even then, only people with the right connections can get them.”
She eyed the bag suspiciously.
“There are too many fakes in circulation,” she continued. “No one in this room could possibly get a real Birkin.”
Jonah grinned, feeding off the moment.
“Damn, Jackson,” he said. “Which market did you get this from? Downtown? Some back-alley seller?”
The girls laughed harder.
Claire shook her head.
“If you can’t afford something, just don’t buy it.” Her voice was cold. “Carrying a fake Birkin is more embarrassing than not having one at all.”
Jackson finally understood.
They thought it was fake.
And the way they were treating him…
It wasn’t just about the bag.
It was about him.
Jackson wanted to explain—wanted to tell them that this was the real deal. That Mr. Copper had arranged for it. That his late father’s connections had made it possible.
But he knew the truth.
No one here would believe him.
And explaining himself would just make him look even more pathetic.
Nancy, though disappointed, still smiled gently.
“Jackson, you didn’t have to spend that much,” she said kindly. “Even a hundred dollars is too much for you.”
Jackson felt a sharp sting.
She wasn’t mocking him, but her words still cut deep.
A hundred dollars.
That’s what she thought it was worth.
Claire, however, was done with him.
She turned to Nancy.
“Why are you even friends with him?” She asked, disgust in her voice. “He’s so… unreliable.”
Nancy felt torn. She hated that Claire was putting Jackson on the spot, but she also didn’t want to lose face in front of her friends.
She sighed and changed the subject.
“Let’s toast,” she said, raising her glass.
The others followed suit, but the tension in the air remained.
Jonah and his friends sneered at Jackson.
Claire barely looked at him.
The other ladies were disgusted.
And Jackson?
He had seen enough.
He stood up.
“Nancy,” he said quietly.
She turned to him, sensing something was wrong.
“Happy birthday,” he said. “I have something to take care of. I’ll see you later.”
Nancy blinked.
“Jackson—wait.”
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