Chapter 3

3

I landed a high kick that knocked the scissors out of Jade's hand and shoved her onto the messy sofa.

She looked like a total lunatic. Her face was smeared with ash and wine stains, and she wouldn't stop cursing.

"Chloe Zhao, you're something else. When did you start sleeping with Greg?"

"Messing with my money is like killing my parents! If I don't finish you today, my name isn't Jade!"

She tried to scramble up to attack me again.

But looking at her, I only felt a strange sense of pity.

"I didn't do anything."

"Greg is just my boss."

"Bullshit!!!"

She leaned in close, her face wet with tears, her voice shrill and painful.

"If you didn't seduce him, how could a broke new grad like you afford the latest runway bag!"

"He's handing all my clients over to you. I only made a thousand dollars last month!"

"And tomorrow's interview―he's only letting me go to make you jealous!"

"I don't have the money for my dad's hospital bills now, and it's all because of you! It's all your fault!"

She suddenly stood up and grabbed a nearby vase, aiming for my head.

I ducked and stepped aside quickly, then started recording on my phone.

"Jade, you better think carefully. There's no telling where this video might end up."

Seeing my cold expression, Jade froze. The fire in her eyes looked like it wanted to swallow me whole.

She still had a tiny bit of logic left, so she chose to storm out.

I felt completely drained.

My mom had brought that LV bag back for me from Paris. Jade definitely couldn't afford to replace it.

Looking at the wreckage on the floor, the adrenaline that had kept me going through Jade's death threat began to fade. I just stood there in a daze for a long time.

It took an hour before I snapped out of it and started documenting the property damage.

I cleaned up until midnight. Just as I was about to sleep, my phone lit up.

It was a message from Greg.

A truly nauseating, graphic photo of his lower body appeared on my screen.

I slammed the phone face down, my heart racing as I fumbled through my bag.

I took my medication, and only then did my heart rate start to stabilize.

When I finally worked up the courage to look at my phone again, he had already unsent the photo.

"Chloe, Ms. Lee isn't feeling well. You'll be doing the interview tomorrow."

"You've done such a great job. Your big brother Greg is going to make sure you're well rewarded."

I took a screenshot but didn't reply. Instead, I opened my laptop and spent the rest of the night drafting a civil lawsuit.

The next day, I purposely showed up late. I didn't answer any of Greg's calls.

The entrance to the building was packed. Flower baskets and banners filled the lobby.

"Mr. Young, you've really outdone yourself this time!"

"The top score in the state! What an achievement!"

"Mr. Young is truly dedicated to his students..."

Watching the celebration, I felt a bitter taste in my mouth.

His success was built on the blood and sweat of countless teachers and students.

He did absolutely nothing, yet he was the one basking in the glory.

The local news crew had just arrived, and several other studio owners rushed to greet them.

"Where is that star teacher?"

"Right inside. Please, this way."

I stayed out of sight and circled around to the back entrance. Greg's call came through right at that moment.

"I told you to be here early! Where the hell are you!"

I acted hesitant and confused, which immediately set Greg off.

"Chloe, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Don't say I didn't warn you!!"

I smiled as I watched Jade arrive in her best dress.

"Mr. Young, I think I'll pass on your generous offer."