My Great Fortune System

Declined

Join you?" Gray glanced between the two girls with an easy smile. "Well, if Jayden's okay with it, then why not?"

Jayden's eye twitched. Hearing his name roll off Gray's tongue like they were actually friends made his skin crawl. He wanted to grab Gray by the collar and throw him out of the restaurant. But he couldn't do any of that. Not with Emma and Chloe sitting right there watching his every move.

Emma and Chloe Davenport. Daughters of one of the wealthiest families in the entire city. Their father owned half the commercial real estate downtown and had his fingers in dozens of successful businesses. The Danvenport name alone could make grown men in suits bow and scrape.

Jayden had done his research and kept the family's position in mind. That's why he'd been playing the perfect gentleman, bending over backward to impress them. But underneath his charming smile, rage boiled just beneath the surface.

The truth was Jayden's family business was crumbling. His father had made some bad investments, and their finances were bleeding out faster than they could patch the holes. Soon Jayden wouldn't be able to afford this lifestyle anymore. The cars, the clothes, the expensive restaurants. All of it would disappear unless he found a way to save himself.

He'd spent weeks trying to get the sisters attention. Sending gifts, acting like the most considerate, generous man they'd ever meet. All in the hope that one of them would fall for him and he could marry into their fortune.

And now Gray was here, threatening to ruin everything. Worse, the girls didn't seem bothered by his presence at all. In fact, they looked interested. Actually interested in this nobody from his past.

"What do you say, Jayden?" Emily's voice pulled him back to reality.

Jayden's smile felt like it might crack his face in half, but he forced it to stay in place. "Of course. If Gray wants to join us, he's more than welcome."

"Great!" Emma's whole face lit up.

Gray pulled up a chair and sat down like he was part of the group. Jayden's two friends exchanged nervous glances but kept their mouths shut. They could sense how hard Jayden was working to maintain control.

"So Gray," Chloe leaned forward slightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "do you come here often?"

"Not really but today's special. I brought my little sister here for a treat."

"Oh, that's so sweet." Emma's expression softened immediately. "Where is she?"

Gray pointed across the restaurant. "Right over there. The one demolishing that chocolate cake."

Both girls turned to look. Lily sat at the distant table, completely absorbed in her dessert with chocolate smeared on her cheek.

"She's adorable," Chloe said with genuine warmth.

"So cute." Emma practically melted. "You're a really good brother."

Jayden felt like someone was twisting a knife in his gut. Every compliment they gave Gray was supposed to be directed at him. They were his dates. His potential meal tickets. Not this poor nobody's admirers.

"Well, Gray's always been humble." Jayden cleared his throat, forcing himself back into the conversation. "Given he's poor and all ."

Gray didn't even flinch. "That might be true or... I could just be saving the surprise for later."

Emma laughed. "That's clever."

"I like that." Chloe grinned, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Jayden's grip on his wine glass tightened until his knuckles went white. He was losing control of this conversation and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it without looking like a jealous.

"So," Gray rested his elbow casually on the table, "How do you all know Jayden?"

"We met at a charity event." Emma smiled at the memory. "He was very helpful that day."

"I see." Gray nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, Jayden's always been thoughtful like that. He even treated me and my sister to food today."

"Really? That's wonderful of you, Jayden." Emma looked impressed.

Jayden managed a tight smile. "Thanks."

"I know, right?" Gray's voice was cheerful and genuine. "Actually, we were so grateful that we ordered everything on the menu. Such a generous offer."

Jayden nearly choked on his drink. His eyes went wide. "Everything?"

Gray leaned forward slightly, his tone still casual but with an edge Jayden was able to pick up. "Yup. Everything. We're planning to donate the extra food. I figured since you were feeling so generous today, why not spread it around? Help some people who really need it."

Emma and Chloe both looked surprised, then pleased. "That's actually really sweet," Chloe said softly.

"Wow." Emma nodded in approval. "That's incredibly kind of you both."

Jayden's face twitched. He forced out a laugh that sounded more like a cough. "Haha, yeah. Gray and I, we've always had big hearts."

"That's why we've been friends for so long." Gray reached over and gave Jayden's shoulder a playful nudge.

Jayden nodded stiffly, his jaw so tight it ached. "Of course."

"Anyway," Gray stood up smoothly, "I should go get my sister. I'm sure she'd love to meet you two."

"We can't wait!" Chloe's smile was genuine and warm.

Gray gave them a final nod and turned away. As soon as his back was turned, Jayden's pleasant expression dropped like a mask.

"What the hell is happening?" one of his friends leaned in and whispered urgently.

Jayden's eyes narrowed to slits as he watched Gray walk away. "I don't know. But he's really pissing me off."

He grabbed his wine glass and drained it in one long gulp, trying to cool the rage burning in his chest.

Meanwhile, Gray walked back to his table with a small smirk playing at his lips. Everything was going exactly according to plan.

"Lily," he reached their table and gently tapped her shoulder, "you done eating? Want to meet some new people?"

Lily looked up, chocolate still on her chin. She nodded enthusiastically.

"I'm done! Are we leaving now, brother?"

"Soon. But first I want to introduce you to some nice ladies, okay?" Gray wiped her mouth with a napkin and helped her down from the chair.

"Okay!" Lily took his hand happily.

As they walked back toward Jayden's table, Gray caught the eye of their waitress. He gave her a polite nod and gestured for her to come over.

"Excuse me," he said quietly, "could you prepare our bill now?" He smiled. "And please send it to that table over there." He pointed directly at Jayden.

The waitress blinked in surprise but recovered quickly. "Yes, sir. Right away."

Gray and Lily approached Jayden's table just as another round of light laughter filled the air. The girls had clearly warmed up to the atmosphere.

"We're back," Gray said smoothly. "This is my sister, Lily."

"Hi..." Lily gave a shy little wave, suddenly timid in front of strangers.

"Oh my gosh, she's precious!" Emma's entire face lit up.

"She really is." Chloe patted the empty chair beside her. "Come sit with us, sweetie."

Lily hesitated for a moment, glancing up at Gray. He gave her an encouraging smile and she climbed up into the chair, already starting to warm up to the friendly women.

A few feet away, the waitress returned carrying a thin black folder. She approached Jayden with professional courtesy.

"Excuse me, sir. Here's your bill."

Jayden blinked, confused. "We didn't ask for it yet. We're still eating."

"It's for Mr. Gray's table, sir." Her voice was quiet and polite. "You mentioned earlier that you'd be covering his expenses."

"Right." Jayden's lips pressed into a thin line. He reached out and took the folder, flipping it open casually.

His eyes landed on the total.

$7,618.45

Jayden's fingers went rigid. The folder trembled slightly in his hands. Everyone at the table noticed his reaction.

"Something wrong, Jayden?" one of his friends asked carefully.

"Nothing." Jayden snapped the folder shut and forced a smile. "The bill's just a bit... surprising." He tried to shrug it off casually, but his voice came out strained.

He reached into his coat and pulled out his wallet with hands that weren't quite steady. His fingers fumbled with his credit card before he managed to hand it to the waitress.

"Here."

"I'll be right back with your receipt, sir." She took the card and walked away.

Jayden leaned back in his chair, trying desperately to look calm and composed even though he was boiling with rage.

The waitress returned rather soon. Her expression was carefully neutral, but there was discomfort in her eyes.

"I'm very sorry, sir." Her voice dropped lower. "Your card was declined. Do you have another one?"

Jayden froze. Blood completely drained from his face.