Chapter 5

When I arrived outside the private dining room, the conversation inside was in full swing.

The guys were discussing Jamie’s ex-girlfriends, ranking them by looks, personality, and how “fun” they were.

I stood outside for a while, listening. They seemed to make a point of not mentioning Nate.

Finally, it was my turn.

“To be fair, the one he’s with now is actually solid. Smart, reliable, and she’s got a good head on her shoulders. Jamie, if you’re thinking of settling down, she’s a good option.”

Another chimed in, “And she can cook, yeah? That’s a bonus.”

“Some girls are just for fun, but not for marriage.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at the irony.

My 620 A-level score and top academic performance across the university apparently only earned me the title of “decent” and a potential candidate for Jamie’s wife.

As the conversation continued, Jamie seemed to grow uncomfortable.

He sneered, “Mari Bennett? She’s just been chasing after me for six years, like a lovesick puppy.”

“She’s not bad looking, and she’s got decent qualifications, so I’ve kept her around. She’s useful, you know? Keeps Nate on her toes, stops her from picking fights with me.”

Jamie had definitely been drinking, his words a little slurred, but clear enough for everyone to understand.

The room fell silent for a second, his mates drawing in sharp breaths.

“Come on, Jamie. You’re still hung up on Nate? She’s moved on, mate. You need to let it go,” one of the guys said, frustrated.

Jamie slammed his fist on the table. “She didn’t cheat on me! Nate just got confused after our breakup. She thought someone else was better suited for her, but she’s realised her mistake.”

“You’re the one who’s confused, mate,” another said, shaking his head.

Then, I heard a voice I recognised, hesitant but familiar.

“Jamie, if you’re really that set on getting Nate back, why not let me have Mari once you’re done with her?”

The room went quiet again.

It took me a moment to place the voice. It was one of Jamie’s old flatmates, a guy I’d met when I’d once brought Jamie an umbrella on a rainy day. He came from money too and loved flaunting it.

“Mate, I’ll make it worth your while. I just got the new Croxx C. You can have it if you want.”

“That mountain bike? The one that cost 80 grand? And it’s a limited edition? You’d seriously give that up?” someone asked, astonished.

Jamie paused, then chuckled. “You’ve got a thing for Mari? Should’ve told me earlier. I’d have let you have a go.”

“But just to be clear, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Mari might seem quiet, but she’s got her tricks. Back in school, loads of girls fancied me, but she was the only one bold enough to confess. You know why?”

The others egged him on, eager for more gossip.

“Because she saw my family’s wealth. She caught a glimpse of my mum’s car once. It’s the only reason she tutored me through A-levels. You think she’d have done it otherwise?”

The guys nodded, clearly impressed by Jamie’s “insight.”

“And look at her now. Every day she’s carrying designer bags, wearing high-end shoes. She’s just a student—there’s no way she’s paying for all of that herself. Must have maxed out her credit cards.”

I stood outside, fuming. What did they think—that a girl like me couldn’t possibly afford those things without a man’s help?

And for the record, I didn’t need to touch my family’s money. My scholarships covered everything.

One of his mates chimed in, “Jamie, you’re right. Besides Nate, there’s no other girl who could ever fool you.”

Jamie spat out, “You lot are full of it.”

I was caught between storming in to confront them or quietly walking away when a passing waiter accidentally spilled soup all over my bag.

I let out a small yelp.

Jamie rushed out from the dining room, clearly panicking when he saw me.