Chapter 2

"Aria Hayes, where the hell are you? Get your ass back here and work! If you mess up my wedding, we're done!"

"Hugs, my sweet Aria! You've worked so hard! Your decorations are so gorgeous, they look super expensive. I want you to plan my wedding too, hehe."

"Too bad I have to work late today, otherwise I'd totally come help…"

Tears blurred my vision. I struggled to make out each word, trying to convince myself that what I’d overheard was just a cruel prank.

But no!

Even though the whole chat was dripping with calculation and exploitation, I still wasn't ready to give up and decided to give them one last chance.

"Girls, my family went bankrupt! From now on, I might need your help."

"You guys will have to handle the wedding decorations yourselves; I need to deal with my family's debts."

To make it sound convincing, I even added a few crying emojis.

But the three of them didn't care at all. They just kept insulting and attacking me.

"Aria Hayes, have you put on enough of an act? As a 'best friend,' is this how you're going to half-ass my wedding?"

"Bankrupt? Are you kidding at the wrong time? You're such bad luck! You've ruined my good mood."

Brittany's voice came through, a rapid-fire assault of accusations.

I didn't argue. I just sent a screenshot of my supposed debt, repeating seriously.

"I'm not lying to you. You're my very best friends."

"I can't explain the full situation right now, but long story short, my family really is bankrupt. I truly have no money left."

"Oh, Brittany, I'll send you the breakdown of the wedding decoration costs. Remember to settle up, okay?"

If I hadn't overheard that conversation today, Brittany would have just pulled her usual disappearing act, leaving all the work to me. But she wouldn't get that chance again.

The chat screen remained unchanged for ten minutes, then Brittany's hysterical scream came through.

"No way! You're so irresponsible, Aria Hayes! Everyone I know expects me to have a lavish wedding, and now you're ditching me? You're making me look like a fool!"

"I don't care. If you don't have money, sell your house and car. If that's not enough, pawn your luxury bags."

"You figure it out! I *have* to be the most radiant bride, otherwise, how will I ever establish myself in the Scott family? They'll laugh me out of town!"

At this point, my heart had sunk considerably.

But I never expected there was worse to come.

"A big empire doesn't just vanish overnight. I don't believe your family went bankrupt without any backup plan. Brittany is your best friend, after all. Can you really bear to disappoint her?"

"Stop pretending, come back and get to work. Be useful for a bit longer," Serena said, her tone light and airy.

"Yeah, Aria, live a little, right? Even if you're bankrupt, life still goes on. Just make sure Brittany has a glorious wedding first," Ashley added, feigning understanding.

I knew what they were scared of.

Brittany was marrying up, and the Scott family hadn't been thrilled about it initially. They only reluctantly agreed after learning she was good friends with me.

If the Scott family found out my family was bankrupt, the wedding would likely be off.

I coldly rejected their suggestions and demanded the return of all the luxury gifts I'd given them over the years.

"I know you don't have much spare cash, so I won't ask to borrow any. But those things are worth a lot."

"In this critical moment, as my best friends, you wouldn't let me down, right?"

"Don't worry, with enough capital, the Hayes family bouncing back is only a matter of time. I'll pay you back double then."

Another silence.

Only Ashley stuttered out an explanation, saying she had family issues and had sold her gifts on eBay.

"Aria, it's not that I don't want to help, but you know my family situation. I'm truly powerless. Take care of yourself!"

Brittany was even more direct, cutting me off.

"In that case, don't even bother coming to my wedding. We don't want the Scott family finding out, it'd be too embarrassing!"

"Don't ever say you're my best friend again. I don't have friends who are so unpresentable…"

I didn't even finish reading the rest before I was abruptly kicked out of the group chat.