Introduction

I thought I was doing a good deed, helping out an old university acquaintance, Brittany, by investing significantly in her sister Jessica's coffee shop.

I even became their most loyal customer, promoting "The Daily Grind" to all my friends and always paying full price for my lattes.

Then, I found out casual customers were getting "VIP" perks like free refills, while I, the primary investor, paid for every single thing.

But the real shock came when Jessica's young son blurted out, "Mommy, is that the lady you said is a sucker? You said she's rich and should pay more!"

The air in the café went cold as Brittany emerged, casually telling me, "Kids say the darndest things," then added, "People with means helping out a bit more, it's just part of supporting the community, isn't it?"

I was burning with humiliation, fury, and a seething sense of betrayal.

How could these women, who received my generous investment and benefited from my constant support, see me as nothing but a "sucker" to be exploited?

They had no idea they were about to face a very different kind of "sucker."