Chapter 2

The business card fluttered down, landing next to the trash at my feet.

James crossed his arms, a mocking smile on his face, deliberately raising his voice:

"Lucas, out of consideration for Lily, I'll give you a chance.

My company happens to need a janitor, and judging by how you work, you seem quite experienced. If you're willing, you can start right away."

He paused, his eyes full of mockery, and continued:

"Of course, my company has high standards, I wouldn't hire just anyone.

If it weren't for your past with Lily, I wouldn't even bother with you.

You should be grateful to Lily, otherwise you might be picking up trash in places like this for the rest of your life."

Lily covered her mouth, letting out a contemptuous laugh, her eyes full of derision:

"Lucas, stop trying to act tough. James is doing you a huge favor. Just be a good boy and go work as a janitor at his company. At least you'll have a job, instead of embarrassing yourself here.

And stop thinking you're a frog that can swallow a swan. Following me here must have been quite an effort for you.

James is giving you this chance because he's generous, not holding your past obsession with me against you."

Greg chimed in, "That's right, Lucas. Don't be ungrateful. Mr. James is willing to give you this opportunity, you should count yourself lucky."

I looked at Lily, standing there proud as a peacock, and couldn't fathom how I had ever fallen for her.

In my previous life, I had doted on her endlessly, trying to fulfill her every whim.

Those expensive piano master classes, whenever she asked, I paid for them without hesitation, just so she could progress further in her piano career.

For her, I even gave up my expertise and passion in computer science, diving headfirst into the unfamiliar real estate industry.

Because she thought real estate was lucrative, no matter how I tried to explain the current development trends to her, she insisted I work in real estate.

Later, I found out it was because James was in real estate.

Back then, I foolishly believed that as long as I could make her happy, any sacrifice was worth it.

But reality was cruel. Due to my lack of experience in real estate, my investments repeatedly failed. Not only did I lose everything, but I also thoroughly disappointed my family, who cut off my financial support.

Even then, I never complained about her.

Every idea of mine was shot down by her; she always demanded that I act according to her wishes.

She remained obsessed with luxury goods and expensive cars. When I couldn't afford to satisfy her desires, she forced me to take out high-interest loans.

To be with her, I completely fell out with my family. They strongly disapproved of my investment philosophy, thinking I had lost my mind, consumed by love.

At that time, I was destitute, running around trying to repay debts, working day and night.

Once, she wanted to buy a limited edition luxury bag, but I simply couldn't afford it.

I still remember our conversation from that time.

"Lucas, look at how pathetic you are now. I really don't know what I was thinking when I got together with you!"

Lily crossed her arms, her eyes full of disgust.

"I used to be the dream girl for so many people. Being with you, I must have used up all my bad luck for eight lifetimes!"

Yes, Lily was beautiful, and there were indeed many boys pursuing her at the time. I fell for her the moment I saw her.

That's why I cherished her so much after we got together.

I looked at her, somewhat pitifully saying, "Lily, I've sacrificed so much for you. Why have you never seen it?"

"You call that sacrifice?" Lily sneered, "Look at yourself now, you've achieved nothing and you're drowning in debt. I should have listened to James from the start and stayed away from a loser like you."

"James, James, it's always James with you!" I couldn't help raising my voice, "If you like him so much, why did you even get together with me in the first place?"

"It was because you relentlessly pursued me, and I was young and naive then. I was fooled by you!"

Lily glared at me, her eyes wide with anger.

"It was only after I got together with you that I realized you could never give me the life I wanted.

Look at James, he's already successful in his career at such a young age, driving luxury cars, living in mansions. And you? You can't even afford to buy me a designer bag!"

"So you regret being with me?"