Chapter 2

A guy answered the phone.

"Hello, I'd like to ask—if I'm not there in person, can someone else use my membership card by giving my phone number?"

"Hello, ma'am. Our membership card purchases have strict identity verification procedures."

"Any transaction requires the member to be present in person and show identification."

"Or we send an authorization confirmation text to the member's phone through our system, and the member must reply with consent before the charge can be processed."

"If it's a non-member making a purchase, we'll immediately call the member for confirmation."

After hanging up, I felt completely relieved.

The next day at noon, I came back from the library. As I pushed open the dorm door, I was greeted by Russell's loud voice.

"Look!"

She stood in the middle of the room, holding up a brown bag with a huge logo and shiny metal hardware.

"My dad bought this for me! Michael's brand, limited edition!"

She spun around and shoved the bag in Bonnie's face.

"Look at this hardware, the quality. And look at this engraving—each one individually carved, so clear."

She turned it over to show Maya.

"And this luggage tag with an independent serial number and certificate. It's authentic!"

Bonnie leaned against the bed, chin in hand, looking for two seconds.

"How much was it?"

"Thirteen thousand!"

Russell's eyes were glowing.

Maya poked her head out from the top bunk, staring at the bag for five seconds.

"Russell, I've seen this online."

Russell's smile froze.

Maya pulled out her phone, scrolled twice, and shoved the screen in Russell's face.

"Look, exactly the same one. Nine dollars, twenty thousand sold monthly."

Russell pushed Maya's phone away.

"What do you know? Authentic and knockoff can't be the same! Feel this leather, feel it!"

Bonnie suppressed a laugh and looked down at her phone.

Russell didn't care about everyone's reactions at all.

"What can I say? You all have no taste."

She carefully tucked the bag into her locker and moved next to me.

"Lester, are you sure you won't reconsider going to the ice skating club?"

"No, I already paid for tutoring classes."

She moved half a step closer and said mysteriously:

"Do you know what kind of people go to that club?"

"All rich kids like me, whose families own companies, who drive sports cars—each one hotter than the last."

"What great resources. Unlike these poor people."