Chapter 3

Ben's face was dark. He pulled out his phone and made a call.

"Where's Leo? Are you coming in yourself, or do I need to come arrest you?"

A rustling sound came from the other end of the line.

Moments later, a sharp-faced middle-aged woman came rushing in.

"Get in here!"

She yelled over her shoulder, yanking a student dressed in a school uniform inside.

The kid hung his head, looking sulky.

He looked up and saw me, his eyes suddenly lighting up.

"You're my online girlfriend?"

I looked down, speechless.

Ben's face got even darker. He pulled Leo aside.

"Leo, are you completely broke, or is the family starving you? Learning to scam people online at your age?"

Leo looked wronged.

"I didn't!"

"Then why did you vanish after she transferred you the money?"

"Mom confiscated my phone! How could I contact her? I was going crazy too!" Leo blurted out.

Ben's sister stood by, completely lost. "Ben, what is this about?"

After a terse explanation from Ben, his sister's expression shifted.

She quickly grabbed my hand, her voice filled with apology.

"Oh, sweetie, I am so sorry! He skipped class, his friend broke a leg, and his teacher reported it. When I saw he was obsessed with gaming and dating apps instead of studying, I lost my temper and took his phone."

"I'll transfer the money back to you right now. Truly, I apologize!"

Leo secretly glanced at me, then cautiously spoke up.

"I really wasn't trying to scam you."

My head was still buzzing.

I gritted my teeth and asked him,

"You're just a high school student? You said you were in your twenties!"

He cleared his throat, his gaze evasive.

"I'll be twenty in three years."

Ben's sister slapped him on the back of the head.

"Apologize to her! Learning to trick women's feelings at your age, huh?"

Leo hung his head, pouting miserably.

"I'm sorry."

Ben's sister looked at me, then suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! Sweetie, have we met before? You look so familiar!"

My heart seized up. I quickly looked down.

"You must be mistaken."

Ben saw my reaction and reminded her,

"I'll walk you out. I'm off work anyway."

Ben's sister immediately chimed in enthusiastically, "Great, great! How about we all go grab a bite?"

I frantically waved my hands. "No, please! It's really not necessary!"

Wasn't this situation chaotic enough already?

But his sister simply linked her arm through mine and half-led, half-coaxed me to a restaurant near the police station.

Her eyes darted subtly between Ben and me before she smiled.

"Chloe, dear, how old are you this year?"

"Twenty-five," I replied.

She clapped her hands.

"See? My brother here is twenty-nine, just out of the military. He's an officer, and quite handsome, don't you think? What a perfect match!"

But Leo couldn't hold back.

"Mom, Ben's so old for her! Chloe deserves better!"

"Leo!" Ben said coldly, tapping the table, warning him.

Ben's sister looked at me, then suddenly smacked her forehead.

"Oh, my goodness! I remember now! You're Ben's ex-girlfriend from his phone!"

Oh no! I can't believe she recognized me! Someone save me!

Just then, my phone rang!

My best friend Sarah's tearful voice came through.

"Chloe, I broke up with him!"

I quickly stood up.

"Excuse me, I have an emergency. I have to go."