Chapter 2

That afternoon, after I sent the money, Noreen texted me.

She sent a picture of a dazzling diamond bracelet and a screenshot of a jewelry store receipt. The price was $20, 800.

"Julissa, look at this bracelet Ethan got me! He said it's to thank me for helping him land a client. Ugh, why's he so good to me!"

Even through the screen, I could picture her smug, hypocritical expression.

I didn't reply.

I tossed my phone aside and kept working on my project proposal.

It was the first task my dad gave me, planning the launch of a new charity project.

He wanted me to do something meaningful for society before officially returning to the Palmer Group.

The partner's representative, Isaac Barton, came highly recommended by my dad.

That evening, Ethan came home.

He was in a great mood, humming a tune and carrying a cake box. "Babe, let's celebrate! My project's a done deal! I know you don't like overly sweet stuff, so I picked this one."

He eagerly cut a slice and handed it to me.

I noticed his wrist was bare. The old watch he wore for days was gone.

Probably sold to cover the cost of that bracelet.

"Really? That calls for a celebration." I took the cake and forked a small bite into my mouth.

"By the way," he said casually, "my parents want to meet you this weekend. Let's have dinner together."

I smirked inwardly.

Ethan's parents were textbook snobs, always looking down on me for being an ordinary office worker with no connections.

This sudden dinner invite? They must have heard something from Ethan.

"Sounds good." I agreed easily.

I was curious to see what kind of show their family would put on.

On Saturday, I wore the $29.99 chiffon dress on purpose.

Ethan frowned when he saw it but said nothing, just hurried me along.

The restaurant was a fancy private dining spot, with meals costing hundreds per person.

Ethan's parents were already there.

His mom's disdain was obvious the moment she saw me.

"Julissa, you're here. Sit down." She forced a smile.

At the table, Ethan's dad rambled on about global affairs and stock markets, acting like a master strategist.

His mom kept piling food onto my plate, but her words always circled back to Noreen.

"Julissa, you're close with Noreen, right? Our Ethan's lucky to know her. She's opened doors to high society for him. I heard Noreen's the daughter of the Palmer Group's chairman? What a charmed life. Not like us regular folks, slaving away forever. You're so tight with Noreen. You should learn from her. Girls need to aim higher, not just cling to a measly paycheck."

The Palmer Group chairman's daughter?

When I got lost as a kid, Noreen's parents stole my bracelet with my birth date engraved on it.

They raised her to believe she was the misplaced heiress.

But fakes don't become real.

I just smiled and nodded occasionally, neither arguing nor agreeing.

Halfway through the meal, Ethan's mom changed her tone. "Julissa, you and Ethan have been together a while. As parents, we'd love to have grandkids soon. But you know how crazy house prices are in Glimmer City these days. It's tough for you young folks, and we get that. I heard Noreen owns several properties. Since you two are so close, could you ask her to lend you one for a marital home?"

The room went silent.

I nearly laughed out loud.