Chapter 3

Snapping back to reality, I looked at Hailey’s radiant smile. Fighting the urge to choke her, I casually pulled my arm from her grip.

"Sure," I said with a flat smile.

Hailey blinked in surprise.

In the past, she used similar excuses to invite me, but because she always poisoned my mind against our classmates, I invariably refused.

Recovering quickly, she walked up to the teacher's podium and announced cheerfully, "Guys, Serena is joining us for dinner tonight!"

A second ago, she was calling me by my nickname, and now in front of everyone, she used my formal name.

I sneered internally, keeping my head down as I organized my new textbooks.

Whispers erupted across the room.

I caught snippets—all talking trash about me.

Ever since freshman year, she had spread vicious rumors about me. To them, I was just a weird, antisocial loner.

I didn't care. People who judge someone based on petty rumors aren't worth my time.

Dinner was held at an upscale restaurant downtown. Half the class showed up.

Hailey booked a private dining room to flaunt her wealth.

It was a luxury place my parents often took me to—in fact, we had even brought Hailey here before.

Hailey ordered an extravagant feast, filling the massive table.

The classmates showered her with praise, raising their glasses:

"Only a true heiress would be this generous!"

"Seriously, real old money is totally different from pathetic followers."

Someone deliberately pointed the conversation toward me.

Eyes turned toward the corner where I sat.

Though the room was spacious, everyone kept their distance, as if sitting near me would bring them bad luck.

Facing the spread of delicacies, I quietly picked at a simple side dish, ignoring everyone.

One student scoffed, "Look at her. Totally uncultured. Too scared to even touch the expensive dishes."

A wave of snickering swept through the room.

Hailey didn’t say a single word to defend me.

I kept silent, cold amusement brewing inside.

Laugh all you want. You won't be laughing for long.

Seeing that I wouldn't react, they lost interest and went back to gorging themselves.

Soon, everyone was stuffed, chatting and laughing in high spirits.

I set down my fork and wiped my mouth with a napkin.

The waiter came in with the bill. When he announced the total, gasps echoed across the room.

For normal high schoolers, the bill was astronomical.

"Hailey, you really outdid yourself this time!"

Basking in the adulation, Hailey waved her hand with faux modesty. "It’s nothing, guys. Don't be polite—it wasn't that expensive anyway."

Flattery poured in, placing her on a pedestal.

I watched with quiet irony.

Play the role long enough, and you start believing your own lies.

Once she had soaked up enough praise, Hailey casually whipped out my credit card.

The waiter took the card, swiped it, and paused. His expression turned awkward.

Still riding her high, Hailey frowned impatiently. "What's wrong?"

The waiter’s next words stunned the entire room.

"Miss, this card has been declined."