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.”
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 368: Time To Come Back Home!
“Isn’t she?” Don took a slow sip of water, his eyes never leaving hers. “She took in a woman who compromised your relationship. She listened to a stranger’s story over your lived experience. She asked you to swallow your pride, your pain, for the sake of her own moral posturing. That is not solidarity, Samantha. That is patronage. She keeps you close to feel better about herself, not to protect you.”Each sentence was a brick, building a wall between her and the memory of Hailey’s laughter, her unwavering support during the darkest days after Jack. The wall obscured the truth that Don’s own manipulations had been the catalyst for Jack’s death. In her vulnerable state, the simplified, brutal logic of his words began to overwrite the messy, complicated truth.“Evans is lost in his own world,” Don continued, mercilessly. “A useful man, perhaps, but compromised. Unreliable. And this nurse… Lorraine. She is a symptom of the disease, not the cause. The cause is your continued allegiance to
Chapter 367: A Father’s Manipulation!
The amber liquid arrived, catching the low light like a captured fire. Samantha lifted the glass, the first sip a familiar, welcome burn that traced a path of heat down her throat, momentarily eclipsing the cold knot in her stomach. She took another, longer pull, willing the alcohol to do its work—to blur the lines, to soften the hard edges of Hailey’s disappointed face, of Lorraine’s frightened eyes.How could she?The question had morphed, twisting into a more painful cousin: Had she driven Hailey away? The bourbon offered no answers, only a deepening haze. She was halfway through the glass, the world beginning to lose its painful definition, when a prickling sensation crept up her spine. A shift in the air. The faint scent of expensive cigar smoke and old-money cologne cutting through the bourbon-and-perfume haze.Someone was behind her. Watching.Her body went rigid, the glass freezing halfway to her lips. Every instinct, honed by a life of navigating corporate boardrooms and pers
Chapter 366: Just A Bottle Of Alcohol!
Lorraine moved toward the door, her movements deliberate. She had no shoes, no money, no real plan. But she had her pride, and a burning need to protect Hailey’s peace. She has no idea yet that Hailey is her little sister Dorin, whom she had spent the last two decades of her life trying to find.But there was this thing about Hailey that she really couldn’t explain, and coupled with the kindness that Hailey had shown her, she knew it would be insensitive of her to be the reason for the fracture between her and Samantha, and with that, she had to leave.Samantha watched her go, her expression conflicted. The righteous anger was still there, but it was now tinged with a sliver of something else—guilt, perhaps, or the uncomfortable awareness that she was casting out a wounded person into the night.As Lorraine’s hand touched the doorknob, Hailey made a decision. “Wait.” Her voice was firm. She turned to Samantha, her own resolve hardening. “Sam, I love you. You’re already like a sister t
Chapter 365: A Difficult Choice!
Hailey shot Lorraine an apologetic, worried glance before crossing to the door. She opened it, and there was Samantha, her face tight with stress, like someone who had spent the entire day working her ass out. That had become typical of Samantha since she lost her brother Jack.."Hey, Sam, come in," Hailey said, trying to keep her voice light, stepping aside.Samantha walked in, already talking. "You won't believe the news vans still camped outside the—" Her words died in her throat. Her gaze had swept past Hailey and landed on the living room, on the figure curled on the sofa in borrowed clothes.All the color drained from Samantha's face. Her friendly, stressed expression twisted into one of pure, icy shock, then hardened into anger."What is she doing here?"The question wasn't curious. It was an accusation, a reminder that not everyone is welcomed, especially not someone like Lorraine."Sam, just try and calm down," Hailey said quickly, moving to block Samantha's line of sight, he
Chapter 364: When Sisters Meet!
"It's secure. We can take you there." She looked at Andrew for confirmation. He gave a tight, reluctant nod, his eyes still glued to the road, scanning for any sign of pursuit.They drove in tense silence to Hailey's apartment building. Andrew pulled into a guest spot near the entrance but left the engine running.Hailey got out and opened the back door for Lorraine, who emerged stiffly, the knife now tucked discreetly but awkwardly into the waistband of her jeans, hidden by her torn shirt. She looked up at the well-lit lobby, a world away from the concrete hell she'd escaped.Andrew rolled down his window. "Hailey. A word."Hailey gave Lorraine an apologetic look. "Just a second. You can wait inside the lobby, it's warm."Lorraine nodded mutely, shuffling toward the glass doors, her bare feet cold on the pavement. She stepped into the sterile, bright lobby and stood just inside, watching them through the glass.Outside, by the car, the conversation was hushed but intense."Hailey, lo
Chapter 363:Unplanned Reunion!
Lorraine then moved like a ghost in the sudden dark, her bare feet silent on the cold concrete. The enforcer was a hulking silhouette, arms outstretched, swearing as he tried to regain his bearings. She slid past him, close enough to smell his stale sweat, and slipped through the open doorway into the dimly lit hall beyond.Freedom was a narrow corridor with peeling paint and the hum of a distant generator. She didn't look back. She ran.The hallway ended in a T-junction. Left or right? She chose right, following the slight draft of cooler air. Her heart was a frantic drum against her ribs, her breath ragged in her throat. The sound of the enforcer's furious yell echoed behind her, followed by the pounding of his boots.The corridor opened into a larger storage area—a cluttered space filled with crates and old machinery. The cool air was coming from a half-open metal door ahead, beyond which she could see a sliver of night sky.She was ten feet from the door when a second man steppe
You may also like
Becoming A Trillionaire After Divorce
Esther Writes71.6K viewsSecretly The Billionaire Boss
Debbie chocolate 2.4M viewsThe Ultimate Commander Cassian
AFM31155.1K viewsUnexpected Trillionaire.
Max Luthor89.7K viewsFrom Mr. Nobody to Mr. Perfect!
SK Writes1.1K viewsBeneath the city lights
Amìnessa Vale122 viewsI Was the Joke: Now I'm the Punchline They Fear
The Heirless77 viewsThe City Is Mine
Daniel Solomon 311 views