Chapter 3

I turned my head and stared directly at Dominic, "What do you want?"

One of the men blocking my way asked, "Dominic, should we break one of his legs or an arm?"

Tina cackled like an old hen. "Dominic, you're amazing!"

When others wanted to harm me, she actually cheered them on.

Dominic stood up and patted me on the shoulder. "Loser, have you ever seen a rich guy?"

I pushed his hand off my shoulder. "Careful. Dirty my clothes, and you won't be able to pay for them."

Dominic and his group laughed wildly.

He pointed at me and said to Tina, "Can't say you don't give credit where it's due. This ex-boyfriend of yours sure knows how to put on a show. What clothes, huh? How could I not be able to afford them?"

Tina buttered him up. "Dominic, his clothes are all from street vendors. They don't even have a brand. I heard that some street vendor clothes are recycled from old ones, refurbished, and sold again."

I retorted, "Custom-made, you get it?"

The clothes my family wore were all bespoke, specially requested not to have logos.

Dominic and his group looked at me like I was some kind of circus act, laughing uncontrollably.

Tina smirked. "Nicholas, you look like a clown right now. You're poor but still trying to act rich."

Dominic slapped his thigh, "Haven't seen someone try so hard to act like this in ages. You know what? Let me show you what a real rich person looks like."

His friends chimed in, "Well, he would probably feel so embarrassed that he might kill himself on the spot!"

Another said, "Never seen anyone try so hard to fake it. It's honestly eye-opening."

Dominic raised an eyebrow at me. "Come with me!"

We all left BlackJack Pub.

I was dragged to the backseat by two men.

Tina asked, "Dominic, where should I sit?"

Dominic gave her a disdainful look, "There's no seat for you. You can ride your electric bike."

He handed Tina the address, Cloudgaze Hotel, started the car, and drove off.

When I heard the name Cloudgaze Hotel, I froze for a moment.

Yesterday, my dad had called me, saying some people of modest wealth were hosting a banquet there and wanted to meet me to build connections.

I had turned it down.

But now, Dominic was taking me to that very same banquet.

What a small world.