Chapter 2

"Yes, that's right. We are breaking up. I'm sorry Jack, but I can't be with you any longer, either as your fiancée or as your girlfriend."

The guests began to murmur amongst themselves as Sophie's three best friends exchanged knowing smiles.

"What's wrong? Did I do something to offend you?" Jack said, his smile tinged with bitterness. Sophie shook her head in response. "Then what?"

“Jack, think about it: What woman of high social standing would risk her entire future for a pizza delivery man, whose salary isn't even enough to cover my electricity bill?”

Jack's eyes widened as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. In a strained voice, he started to say, “But you said-”

"I don't care about wealth, social class, and all that stuff?" Sophie cut in. "Listen, only an idiot would take those words seriously."

"If you're not serious, what is the purpose of this event?"

Sophie's eyes widened in shock as she exclaimed, "To announce our break up. From this moment on and onwards, I'm no longer your boyfriend. Got it?!"

Though Jack's heart was breaking, he knelt down and held Sophie's hand with his trembling fingers, sweet memories of their time together flashing through his mind. A faint glimmer of hope shone in Jack's eyes as he looked up to see his girlfriend.

“Shopie, I beg you, let me be your boyfriend. I truly love you."

Suddenly, there was a sound of applause from the stairs. Everyone, including Jack, turned around to see a man in a black suit walking up to him, his polished, branded shoes clicking and tapping with each step.

"That's great Sophie, I'm so happy," the man said, a broad smile on his face. "I am thoroughly satisfied with this entertainment.”

Jack looked straight at Sophie. The woman who, a few seconds ago, had become his ex-girlfriend, smiled broadly.

"Does that mean we're officially dating now?"

Jack's heart sank as he heard Sophie's unexpected query. Unperturbed, the attractive man answered confidently, "Yes, absolutely!" He then put his arm around her waist in Jack's presence without any hesitation.

"Like I said, if you make me have a good time, then I will take you on as my partner," he added.

"STOP!" yelled Jack, taking a step forward and pushing the man away with considerable force as he was about to kiss Sophie on the lips. The man stumbled backwards, barely keeping his balance.

"Jack, what's wrong with you?! How dare you push my boyfriend?!" Sophie said, her voice full of annoyance. She then walked over to David, concerned in her eyes. "David, are you okay?"

Jack's heart was shattered. This was the first time Sophie had ever lashed out and called him a lunatic. The woman he loved so deeply had betrayed him in the name of her future. His genuine love had been reduced to nothing more than a mere distraction. He gritted his teeth and shot an icy glare at Sophie's new partner.

It was David Guillon, a financial manager at the prestigious company Big Road Group. Not only did David have a successful career, he was also from one of the most affluent families in Rhineland. His parents owned a three-story optical shophouse in the Roodenburg Highway business complex. In other words, being in a relationship with him was seen as a sign of potential prosperity.

"Jack, this is your last chance! Get out of here now!" shouted Sophie.

"Please, I'm begging you, reconsider your decision. Everyone knows he's just using you for a good time. He doesn't really care about you."

"That's enough!" exclaimed Sophie. "You're so clueless, Jack. Trying to act like you're above everyone else while you're really down below. If you don't leave at this instant, I'm calling the security guard to come and get you out!"

David smiled reassuringly at Shopie, holding her shoulder gently. "No need to kick your ex out. I'm going to make sure he learns a lesson," he said, his grin widening. Then he shouted, “You guys! Give that pizza delivery man a good beating!”

A group of burly men instantly circled Jack. They began to ruthlessly pummel him, and Jack put up no resistance whatsoever. His gaze was fixed on Sophie, who watched the scene with a frown on her face. Amidst the sound of punches and kicks, groans of pain could be heard. Finally, Jack was taken down by a heavy kick to the back.

Jack lay helpless, his face and temples drenched with his own blood. Despite his condition, he still managed to focus his gaze on Sophie. David then stepped forward, raising his leg high into the air.

"Take this!" he shouted.

The other guests all averted their eyes as David brought his foot down hard, his shoe stopping just shy of Jack's nose.

"Be thankful that my heart is content tonight, for if it wasn't, your face would be imprinted with my shoe marks." David gave Jack a shove with his foot, sending him toppling onto his back.

"Shopie." Jack said.

David's face contorted with rage as he heard Jack speak his beloved's name. He swiftly stuffed his hands into his pockets before viciously stamping on Jack's stomach. "Don't you ever mention Shopie with that filthy mouth of yours!"

He dug his foot further into Jack's abdomen, making him cry out in agony. The guests in the room were visibly disturbed, covering their mouths with both hands in shock.

"You guys! Take this jerk out of here!”

The buff men who had just beaten Jack grabbed him and dragged him out. The doors to the hall were shut behind him, resonating with a thud.

As Jack sat in the hallway, dejected and forlorn, his thoughts drifted to Shopie. Struggling to his feet, he leaned heavily against the wall as he slowly made his way outside. A kind-hearted hotel maid saw his condition, and offered to help him, but Jack refused, shaking his head at the bellboy's offer to call him a taxi.

Jack stumbled away, and as he walked, all he could think of was Sophie. He lamented his misfortune and wished that if only he had a better family background, he and Sophie would be exchanging rings in the hotel's banquet hall at that very moment.

'Lord, just give me one miracle, and I will show them all,' he thought with a wry smile. As he left the hotel, a sigh escaped his lips; he had no money to pay for a taxi.

At that moment, a sleek black Mercedes Benz car pulled up to Jack. Two powerfully built men stepped out. Compared to the men who had beaten him earlier, these men were clearly more imposing.

“If money's what you're after, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I've already spent my paycheck on this suit, and now it's drenched in wine and my own blood. But if you want it, take it.”

Jack was about to take off his jacket in frustration, when the two men suddenly bowed respectfully in his direction. "Young master," they said.

"What?"