Chapter 1

I kept a low profile and never bragged about my wealth, so my college classmates all thought I was just an average girl from a normal family. For three years, nobody knew that I was actually the only daughter of the city's most famous real estate tycoon.

My roommate had always boasted about being a rich, high-society heiress. But when she took us to her family's "luxury villa," I realized it was actually the estate my dad had casually gifted me for my eighteenth birthday.

And the guy I liked? To secure a good job after graduation, he rejected my confession and chose my fake-heiress roommate instead. Little did he know, the CEO of his dream company is my older brother.

Oh well. Since they brought this on themselves, I can’t wait to watch them beg for my mercy.

There was only one month left of junior year. Senior year would be all about off-campus internships, meaning we wouldn't be around campus much. So, I decided it was time to officially confess my feelings to Tyler.

I liked Tyler. It was an open secret among my friends and his. Of course, Tyler himself knew it too.

Tyler was golden, handsome, and an absolute beast on the basketball court. I had been captivated by him the moment I saw him playing, and I immediately started pursuing him.

I chased him for a whole year.

During that year, we watched movies and grabbed dinner together all the time. Whenever I had free time, I’d go find him. We acted almost like a real couple, minus the holding hands and hugging.

But I actually enjoyed that sweet, ambiguous phase.

We were basically one step away from making it official.

With senior year internships right around the corner, if I didn't lock things down now, who knew what might change?

I bought him a gift he had wanted for ages but couldn’t afford. Then, I invited my roommates and his friends to a VIP private lounge at the trendiest club downtown.

I booked the biggest lounge and ordered a massive spread of gourmet food and drinks.

"Chloe, did you rob a bank? This private lounge must have cost a fortune!" My roommate, Gaby, was stunned by my generosity. When she saw the expensive wine on the table, she gave me a huge thumbs-up. "I respect the hustle. You really don’t hold back when it comes to the guy you want!"

"Of course." Why would I be cheap when it came to the person I loved?

Soon, everyone else arrived.

Once the group was complete, I told everyone to help themselves and have fun.

After about an hour of partying, I decided it was time.

I picked up the microphone and cleared my throat to get everyone’s attention.

"Thanks for coming tonight, guys. I actually have something important to say." I turned, looking at Tyler with all the tenderness in my heart. "As of today, Tyler and I have known each other for exactly one year. Tyler, I want to tell you that I love you. Will you be my boyfriend?"

The moment the words left my mouth, the room erupted into cheers and catcalls.

"Say yes! Say yes!"

"Make it official!"

I stood there with a bright smile, waiting for Tyler’s answer.

But Tyler didn’t speak right away. I noticed his eyes darting hesitantly, his gaze shifting to someone behind me. Before I could figure out who he was looking at, his voice broke the silence: "I'm sorry, Chloe. But we're just not compatible."