The moment Nathan Rhodes’ body hit the cold marble floor, the entire hall erupted into chaos.
Gasps rippled through the restaurant. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. Chairs scraped against the floor as people stood to see what had happened. Some thought it was a prank. Others assumed it was a medical condition. No one—absolutely no one—connected his collapse to the figures they had just heard being thrown around so casually.
The ladies were the first to react.
“Oh my God!” Bella exclaimed, standing up abruptly.
“What happened to him?” Ava asked, frowning.“Is he okay?” Melody added, though her tone carried more curiosity than concern.Amelia froze for a split second.
Her heart skipped—not out of worry, but out of shock. This wasn’t part of any plan she had imagined. She hadn’t expected Nathan to actually collapse.
“Help him up,” she said quickly, waving at the waiter. “Bring him to the lounge.”
The waiter and two security staff hurried over. With practiced efficiency, they lifted Nathan’s limp body and carried him into the exclusive VIP lounge, laying him carefully on one of the plush leather sofas. Someone brought a glass of water. Another waiter sprinkled water gently on his face.
“Hey… hey… wake up,” Bella urged impatiently.
Nathan groaned.
His eyelids fluttered.
For a brief, blissful second, he thought he was waking up from a nightmare.
His head throbbed. His chest felt tight. His heart pounded so loudly he could hear it in his ears. He swallowed and forced his eyes open, half-expecting to find himself back at his small apartment, staring at the cracked ceiling, realizing that everything—Glasgow Diner, the outrageous prices, Amelia’s friends, the million-dollar wine—had all been a terrible dream.
If it was a dream, he would cancel the date immediately. He would call Amelia and make up an excuse. He would never step foot in a place like this again.
But reality was cruel.
The first thing he saw was Bella’s perfectly contoured face. Then Ava’s sharp eyes. Then Melody’s bored expression.
And finally… Amelia.
She stood there with her arms crossed, her face filled with curiosity and mild annoyance rather than concern.
Nathan’s heart sank.
It wasn’t a dream.
His gaze drifted away from their faces, and that was when he saw the table.
Five bottles.
Not three.
Five massive bottles of Château Cheval Blanc 1947, each resting in silver ice buckets, condensation dripping slowly down the glass like mocking tears.
Nathan’s pupils dilated.
Five bottles.
That meant…
$2.5 million.
Just for wine.
His breathing grew erratic.
“What happened to you?” Amelia asked, tilting her head. “Why did you faint?”
Nathan opened his mouth to speak—but no sound came out. His throat felt locked. His heart was still racing far too fast.
Ava let out a laugh. “Please tell me he didn’t faint because of the bill.”
Bella chuckled. “That can’t be it. Amelia wouldn’t be dating a pauper, would she?”
The words stabbed Nathan like knives.
Melody crossed her legs leisurely. “Honestly, I’ve never even heard of him before. And I know everyone on campus. At ESU, you’re either a multimillionaire heir or a multibillionaire heir.”
She leaned forward slightly, studying Nathan. “He must be one of those low-profile heirs who don’t like attention.”
Nathan’s mind screamed.
‘No. I’m not. I’m nothing like that.’
Amelia felt her stomach twist.
She knew the truth.
She knew Nathan was poor. She knew he survived by running errands for rich students, carrying bags, fetching coffee, doing homework assistance for pay. She knew the only reason he survived at ESU was because of his scholarship and those errands.
Shame washed over her.
If only she hadn’t invited her friends.
If only she hadn’t tried to show off.
But she wasn’t about to take the fall for this.
Not in front of Bella. Not in front of Ava. And certainly not in front of Melody.
So she smiled.
“Yes,” Amelia said calmly. “Nathan told me before that he’s one of those silent billionaire heirs. He doesn’t like flaunting his wealth.”
Nathan’s head snapped toward her.
What?
When did he ever say that?
Amelia leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “Didn’t you, baby?”
Nathan felt his entire body go cold.
She straightened and turned to her friends. “Just watch. You’ll see how rich my boyfriend really is.”
Then she waved her hand. “Call the celebrity chef. And bring the bills. Let him clear everything immediately.”
Nathan’s ears rang.
In that instant, he understood.
This was a setup.
Amelia never intended for him to survive this.
Once he failed to pay, she would play the victim. She would accuse him of lying, of scamming her. She would cry. She would gain sympathy. And he would be labeled a fraud—maybe even arrested.
She would walk away clean.
Brilliant.
Cruel.
And devastating.
The doors opened, and the celebrity chef entered to thunderous applause. The atmosphere turned celebratory. The manager followed closely behind, holding a sleek tablet containing the final bill.
More appetizers were served. Expensive ones. Nathan didn’t even dare ask their prices.
The total had already climbed far beyond what he had calculated before collapsing.
The manager stepped forward, smiling professionally.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said respectfully, “thank you for choosing Glasgow Diner. It is our honor to serve such distinguished guests. We promise you the finest experience.”
Nathan didn’t hear a word.
His mind was stuck on Amelia’s lie.
Why would she do this?
Was I just a stepping stone?For the first time since they started dating, he truly saw her—not the gentle girl who smiled shyly at him in the library, not the one who laughed at his jokes—but a woman who was willing to destroy him to protect herself.
The manager tapped his shoulder gently.
“Sir,” he said politely, presenting the bill. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Nathan took the tablet with trembling hands.
He didn’t want to look.
He wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole.
But there was no escape.
He looked.
$8,943,600.
His vision went white.
His heart skipped violently. His chest tightened to the point of pain. For a moment, he truly believed he might die.
The manager smiled patiently. “How would you like to make your payment, sir?”
Nathan’s hands shook as he pulled out his card.
This was his last hope.
A miracle.
Anything.
He handed the card over silently.
The manager swiped it.
BEEP.
The receipt printed.
Insufficient funds.
The manager frowned slightly. “Let me try again.”
He swiped it again.
BEEP.
Still insufficient.
The ladies exchanged glances.
“What’s taking so long?” Bella asked.
“Is there a problem?” Ava demanded coolly.
The manager turned back to Nathan. “Sir, do you have another card? Perhaps you handed me the wrong one.”
Nathan swallowed hard. “That… that’s my only card.”
The manager hesitated, then checked the account balance manually.
His expression changed instantly.
Shock flashed across his professional mask.
“There’s… only twenty thousand dollars in this account.”
Silence.
The manager’s fingers moved again as he checked the account history.
Then his face darkened.
“Sir,” he said slowly, “this is a student account. Since it was opened four years ago, the total amount that has ever entered this account is under fifty thousand dollars. It cannot even receive more than one hundred thousand dollars.”
He looked up sharply.
“You are not wealthy.”
The words echoed like a death sentence.
The manager turned to the ladies and explained everything.
Their expressions shifted—from surprise… to disbelief… to disgust.
Bella scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Ava narrowed her eyes. “So what is this? A scam?”
The manager turned back to Nathan. “Why would you do something like this? Are you a criminal?”
Nathan’s voice trembled. “I—I planned a twenty-thousand-dollar dinner. Just for me and my girlfriend. I didn’t know… I didn’t expect…”
Before he could finish, Amelia gasped loudly.
“What?” she cried. “Twenty thousand?”
She covered her mouth, tears forming instantly. “Nathan… you scammed me?”
Nathan stared at her, stunned.
She continued crying. “You told me you were rich. You told me to invite my friends so you could spoil us! I trusted you!”
Her acting was flawless.
Everyone believed her.
Nathan shook his head frantically. “No! That’s not true!”
No one listened.
Ava stepped forward coldly. “This is fraud.”
She turned to the manager. “Call the police. Have him arrested immediately.”
Security moved in at once.
Melody pulled out her phone casually. “Don’t worry, Amelia. I’ll introduce you to my brother. Michael.”
Amelia’s breath hitched.
Michael.
Everyone knew Michael.
One of the biggest ballers on campus. Rich, powerful, untouchable.
Melody dialed. “Hey, bro. I’ve got a situation. Clear a bill for me and I’ll introduce you to that girl you’ve been asking about.”
Amelia blushed.
Nathan watched her.
Blushing.
For another man.
After condemning him.
He struggled against the guards. “Amelia… why?”
She walked up to him and slapped him hard across the face.
“Don’t ever mention my name with your filthy mouth again,” she hissed.
Tears streamed down Nathan’s face.
She leaned in and whispered coldly, “I’ve been looking for a way to get rid of you. I need a man worthy of me. Someone like Michael.”
Then she straightened.
“Take him away.”
The guards dragged Nathan toward the security room.
His phone buzzed violently in his pocket.
Calls.
Messages.
He couldn’t answer.
All he could do was cry.
Latest Chapter
Chapter 11
Nathan got home shortly after, the events of the day replaying in his mind like fragments of a storm he had already walked through. The small living room felt quieter than usual, his grandmother seated on her favorite chair, murmuring softly as she sorted through old magazines. For a brief moment, everything felt almost… normal.His phone vibrated.Aaron.Nathan answered just as another call came through—John. He merged the calls.“Bro!” Aaron’s voice came through loudly. “Are you coming to the ESU Gala or what?”Nathan smiled faintly. “Yeah. I’ll be there.”John laughed. “That’s my guy. So—big question—are you coming with a date?”“Not really,” Nathan replied honestly. “But I’ll still come.”Aaron whistled. “Bold move, man. Especially after everything that went down with Amelia last night.”John’s tone softened. “By the way, where have you been all day? The whole campus is buzzing. The story spread like wildfire.”Nathan hesitated for half a second, then spoke calmly.“My grandmother
Chapter 10
Nathan had barely taken three steps down the wide marble staircase when two familiar figures suddenly blocked his path.Bella Whitmore and Ava Reynolds.Both girls froze the instant they saw him, their eyes widening as if they had just run into a ghost in broad daylight. For a split second, disbelief flickered across their faces—then it was quickly replaced by irritation and hostility.Ava was the first to recover.She crossed her arms tightly over her chest and glared at Nathan as though he were something foul she had stepped on.“Are you stalking us now?” she snapped angrily. “We’ve seen you three times in less than twenty-four hours!”Bella let out a sharp scoff, her lips curling with disgust.“Seriously, do you have no shame?” she added coldly. “After that fraudulent nonsense you pulled at the restaurant last night? You and your wretched grandmother came to interrupt our shopping, and now you’re here again.”Her eyes swept over Nathan from head to toe, full of judgment and mockery
Chapter 9
Nathan’s taxi rolled to a smooth stop in front of the towering black-glass skyscraper with the silver letters:CLOVEN CORPORATIONHis heartbeat quickened.The building was a landmark—one of the most feared, revered, and powerful corporate headquarters in the world. Entire nations bowed when Cloven Corporation spoke. Billionaires trembled when its name was mentioned.And today… Nathan was walking into it.He paid the driver and stepped out. The air itself felt different here—colder, sharper, filled with the weight of wealth and authority.At the entrance stood a breathtakingly beautiful secretary—tall, poised, immaculate in her tailored navy skirt-suit. The moment she saw him, she straightened and gave a respectful bow, something she didn’t do for ordinary visitors.“Good afternoon, Mr. Rhodes,” she said smoothly.Nathan blinked. ‘She knows my name?’“I… I’m here to see Mr. David Brune.”“Yes, sir. He is expecting you.”No hesitation. Not even a question.She immediately stepped aside
Chapter 8
Nathan’s declaration fell like a thunderbolt.For a heartbeat, no one moved. No one breathed.The laughter that had filled the store moments earlier died abruptly, replaced by stunned silence. Every pair of eyes locked onto Nathan as though trying to determine whether he was joking, insane, or dangerously serious.Jessica Toadson was the first to recover.Her lips curled into a sneer, and she let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Are you delusional?” she asked loudly. “Or did poverty finally rot your brain?”Murmurs rippled through the surrounding shoppers.Nathan took a step forward, his posture calm, his gaze unwavering. “I’m very sane,” he said clearly. “And I’m announcing to everyone present that from this moment onward, you are fired for unjust treatment of customers.”The words echoed.Then—Laughter exploded.Anna bent over, clutching her stomach. Jenna slapped her thigh, laughing so hard tears formed in her eyes. Even Mr. and Mrs. Toadson laughed openly, shaking their heads as thou
Chapter 7
After Amelia and her friends finally walked away in laughter, the noisy tension they left behind slowly settled. Nathan stood still for a moment, his chest rising and falling as he tried to rein in the anger boiling inside him. His grandmother tugged gently at his sleeve, her wrinkled face filled with worry.“Nathan,” she said softly, “what was all that talk about seven women? Where will you even find them?”Nathan exhaled and gave a small, embarrassed smile. “Grandma… I honestly don’t know. I spoke too fast. I was angry.”She sighed, shaking her head slightly. “My boy, words spoken in anger are like stones thrown blindly. You can’t take them back.”“I know,” he replied. In his mind, however, a name surfaced—David Brune. The man who had called him earlier. The man who had told him the unbelievable truth about his father’s abandoned crypto project and the wealth attached to it. Nathan glanced at his phone briefly, then tucked it away. ‘I’m meeting David later today,’ he thought. ‘If an
Chapter 6
The taxi sped away from Club9, its tires humming against the early-morning asphalt as the city slowly woke up. Nathan sat stiffly in the back seat, his grandmother beside him, her thin hands folded neatly on her lap. She hadn’t said a word since they left the club, but Nathan could feel the weight of her worry pressing down on him.Streetlights flickered past the windows. The sky was already brightening.His grandmother glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her gaze lingering longer than usual, but she said nothing. She had seen enough violence in her lifetime to know when words needed to wait.Nathan broke the silence first.“Grandma… what do we still have at home?” he asked quietly. “Anything to eat?”She shook her head slowly. “Nothing, my boy. Not even rice.”Nathan exhaled. “Then we’ll stop at the mall first.”She turned to him, surprised. “The mall?”“Yes,” he replied calmly. “We’ll buy what we need.”The taxi changed direction.They arrived at the mall less than thirty min
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