Chapter 3

The truth hit me instantly, and I felt like I was plunged into an ice-cold cellar, my fingers trembling uncontrollably.

Just because my family was 'bankrupt,' because I had no more use to them, years of 'best friendship' were severed just like that, without a single moment of hesitation.

My anger morphed into a bitter laugh. Once I calmed down, I felt a strange sense of relief.

At least I’d seen their true colors before suffering even greater losses.

A few days later, I gathered myself and went to a store to return Brittany's wedding gift. To my surprise, I ran into all three of them there.

"I'm sorry, miss, but once our merchandise is sold, it cannot be returned or exchanged."

"Honestly, people who can afford luxury goods never return things. They just toss brand new items if they don't like them."

"Poor people shouldn't try to buy luxury goods; you just create problems for us."

Hearing I was there to return something, the enthusiastic sales associate's smile instantly vanished. She eyed me up and down, then scoffed, her face full of disdain.

If she had politely refused, I would have dropped it. But she insisted on this blatant discrimination. Suppressing my anger, I said,

"Is this how you treat customers? Call your manager out here; I'll talk to them."

"Customer, don't be unreasonable. No matter who you call, it won't change the fact that you can't return it."

"If I were you, I'd hurry home and put it up on eBay. Maybe you can salvage some of your losses."

The sales associate said, smirking without warmth.

I was fuming, about to turn and leave, but three familiar faces blocked my way.

"Tsk, tsk, look who it is! The extravagant Miss Hayes, secretly trying to sell stuff? Looks like the Hayes family is really done for."

"So angry? Can't sell your stuff, so you don't even have money for food today? How pathetic!"

"Since we used to be besties, my house cleaner just quit. How about I arrange for you to come work for me?"

Brittany giggled, covering her mouth, conspicuously wiggling the finger with her diamond ring.

Ashley linked arms with her, her face earnest and sincere, saying with feigned emotion, "Brittany, you're so kind and loving. It's my good fortune to be your best friend."

"Aria, don't just stand there. Thank Brittany for offering you a job opportunity. She's doing it all for your own good."

They sang in unison, spilling every detail about my family's supposed bankruptcy.

'Offering a job'? Who would make their 'best friend' their house cleaner?

Even if the Hayes family *had* gone bankrupt, I wouldn't be like Ashley, twisting the truth for money, lying through my teeth.

Compared to the other two, I had given Ashley the most, and her actions hurt me the most.

"Miss, if you're not buying anything, please take your junk and leave. The air in our store is being polluted by you poor people who just look and don't buy," the sales associate spat, her words utterly humiliating.

To echo her, Brittany loudly demanded to see the store's newest products, and the sales associate happily rushed to her side, gushing descriptions.

Brittany's family also had a business, but it wasn't particularly successful until these last few years, when I nagged my dad to throw a few small partnerships their way.

She must have truly married into money now, her spending far more lavish than before. No wonder Ashley was sucking up to her so hard today.

No one is indispensable. There are plenty of rich people in the world.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh, closed my eyes, pushing back the wave of bitterness, and tried to slip away unnoticed.

But then, the unexpected happened.

Serena, who hadn't spoken a word until now, quickly snatched the shopping bag from my hand, pulled out the limited-edition handbag, and with a slight smirk, said casually.