Chapter 4

"Julian, you’re way too nice! If it were me, I’d make whoever did this pay!"

"Just because he’s poor and bitter doesn't mean he gets to destroy other people's things. That's just pathetic."

They kept throwing disgusted looks at me.

I scoffed.

"We're all adults here. If you have something to say, say it to my face. Stop the passive-aggressive drama."

"You did it, and now you’re mad people are calling you out?"

"Some people are just born with a loser mentality. They hate seeing others have nice things."

My face darkened, and I took a step toward the guy who spoke.

He instinctively took two steps back.

"What? You got caught, and now you want to fight?"

"Fight you? You aren't worth my time," I sneered.

Seeing the tension escalate, a few classmates stepped in to play peacemaker.

"Alright, alright. Let's not ruin the night. We're here to have fun."

Julian put on a fake, generous smile.

"We're all old friends. It’s just some French oysters. Let’s not make a big deal out of it."

I looked at his hypocritical face and laughed coldly.

"No, let’s make a big deal out of it. You’re throwing dirt on my name. Let's call the manager and check the security cameras."

"I want to see who actually had the guts to trash your precious seafood."

"It's just a few thousand bucks of oysters. You're acting like it’s gold."

Julian’s smile vanished instantly.

Other classmates started whispering.

"Look at Ethan trying to act tough. He talks like a few thousand bucks is nothing to him."

"Did he brainwash himself into thinking he’s a millionaire? What does he normally eat, instant ramen?"

"I saw him walking here earlier. He was running in the rain with a broken umbrella like a stray dog. Now he’s acting like a big shot?"

They all burst into cruel laughter.

Just then, Chloe walked back in.

Her eyes were red. She looked like she had just been crying.

Julian immediately rushed to her side and wrapped an arm around her. "Are you okay, babe?"

The crowd cooed at how sweet he was.

Chloe shook her head, looked at the tense atmosphere in the room, and asked what was going on.

Julian gave me a smug look and said:

"The Gillardeau oysters, the Almas caviar, and the lobsters I ordered... they were all trashed on the floor."

"Nobody left the room except Ethan. So..."

He didn't say it outright, but he was pointing the finger straight at me.

As if I was the only one who went out. Didn't Chloe leave too?

I met Chloe’s gaze.

She bit her lip and looked at me with disappointment.

"Ethan, I know you’re jealous of Julian and me. But you shouldn't have done this."

"Be a man and take responsibility. Don't make me look down on you even more."

"You have a wife now, right? I assume you have some savings. You can afford to pay for this."

With just a few words, she declared me guilty.

I was so angry I almost laughed out loud.

"Exactly! Don't be a coward, Ethan!"

"You're an embarrassment to our school."

Julian took the stage again, playing the hero.

"Guys, please. I get where Ethan is coming from. He was the star of our campus back in the day. Now that he’s struggling, it’s natural he feels bitter."

Julian looked around the room, his eyes landing on me.

"Ethan, if you just apologize to me in front of everyone, we can put this behind us. What do you say?"