He reached out to pat my shoulder, but I stepped aside.

I looked straight at Emily. “Embarrassing myself? Weren’t you the one who said I should honor the bet?”

David’s face twitched slightly before he forced a smile.

“Roger, I was just joking — really, just a joke. No need to take it so seriously…”

“A joke?” I interrupted him. “It’s funny how some jokes begin to feel real if repeated often enough.”

“And some people keep pretending for so long that they actually start to believe they’re someone important,” I added.

The meaning in my words was clear. David’s smile froze on his face and a flash of cold malice flickered in his eyes.

The murmurs around us grew louder, filled with a kind of eager excitement that came only when people smell drama.

“Yikes… they’ve finally fallen out.”

“Did Roger take something that made him energetic today?”

“Guess he’s been holding it in too long. But acting out like this is just pushing Miss Simpson further away.”

Emily took a deep breath, clearly forcing down her anger.

“Roger, I’ll say this one last time — delete the post. Then apologize to David.”

I gave a cold laugh and picked up my phone. In front of everyone, I added another line to the post:

‘Note: not a joke. I’m serious — looking for something for life.’

Then I turned the screen toward them.

I saw it clearly — her pupils contracted and her face went from pale to blazing with fury.

“I lost the game and I’ll take the punishment. But as for apologizing…”

My gaze brushed over the diamond ring on Emily’s ring finger — the one I bought with a year’s worth of savings. She had smiled so brightly when she first put it on.

“I refuse.”

Sensing the tension thickening in the air, a few people hurried forward to smooth things over.

Emily’s chest rose and fell as she struggled to contain her anger. She shot me a fierce glare, then finally forced herself to drop the topic of deleting the post or apologizing.

When it came time to cut the cake, the atmosphere turned strangely delicate.

Emily picked up the knife, her eyes sweeping over the crowd — deliberately skipping over me, standing right in front.

“David,” she said softly, “me help me.”

David immediately stepped forward. “It’s my honor, Miss Simpson.”

He stood beside Emily, shoulder to shoulder, their hands overlapping as they held the knife together.

Their movements were intimate, their faces almost touching.

Applause and teasing cheers erupted around them.

I stayed where I was, watching coldly — like an outsider observing someone else’s story.

After Emily made her wish and blew out the candles, David reached into his pocket and took out a small velvet box.

He opened it to reveal a platinum bracelet studded with tiny diamonds.

“Emmie, happy birthday.”

He deliberately used that intimate nickname.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough for everyone to hear.

“I ordered this bracelet from France last month. Hope you like it.”

Emily’s face lit up instantly, her smile radiant. “David, you’re so thoughtful! As long as it’s from you, I’ll love it!”

Emily took off the slim green bracelet from her wrist and dropped it on the table, as if tossing aside something unnecessary.

My mother had given her that bracelet before she died. It was a family heirloom meant for the future daughter-in-law of the Carl Family.

“Here, help me put it on.”

Emily extended her wrist toward David, her tone laced with a touch of playfulness.

David carefully took out the glittering bracelet and fastened it around her slender wrist, his movements slow and gentle.

His fingertips brushed lightly against her skin and the two exchanged a knowing smile.

“Wow! It’s gorgeous!” someone exclaimed.

“The bracelet’s so sparkly — and the design is stunning!”

“Yeah, it's way better than that old-fashioned green bracelet from before!”

“This one’s perfect — it actually suits Miss Simpson’s style and elegance!”

“Roger really has great taste — so thoughtful!”

Compliments filled the room one after another, each word landing like an invisible slap across my face.

Expressionless, I walked forward.

While everyone’s eyes were still fixed on the new bracelet, I reached out and picked up the green bracelet.

The noise in the room dulled instantly.

Dozens of curious, expectant eyes turned toward me — some amused, some waiting for drama.

Emily noticed my movement too; her brows furrowed slightly.

I held the green bracelet firmly in my palm, then lifted my gaze to meet hers — calm, steady.

My voice wasn’t loud, but it cut cleanly through the silence and chatter.

“Since this old-fashioned green bracelet no longer suits Miss Simpson, then it should go back to where it belongs — my mother,” I said evenly,

The private room fell utterly silent.

Emily opened her mouth, as if to say something, but no words came out.

She clearly hadn’t expected me to be so blunt — or to bring up my mother.

A flicker of malice crossed David’s eyes before he forced a smile.

“Bro, there’s really no need for this, right? Emmie was just trying on the new bracelet. Why get angry over a bracelet? It’s her birthday today. Can’t we all just keep things pleasant?”

“It’s not about getting angry,” I replied evenly. “Since she doesn’t want it anymore, I’ll take it back — no need to let my mother’s good intentions go to waste.”

I didn’t bother looking at their faces after that.

I carefully tucked the green bracelet into the inside pocket of my jacket, then turned and walked out.

Behind me, I heard Emily’s sharp, mocking laugh rise above the silence.

“Take it back then! You think I care about that stupid bracelet? It’s old and tacky — I wouldn’t wear it even if it were free!”

David quickly followed after me, grabbing my arm. His voice was low but loud enough for the nearby guests to hear.

“Roger, don’t be rash. She didn’t mean it — she’s just angry. If you walk out now, this will blow up…”

I yanked my arm free with force.

He stumbled back a step, the fake concern on his face almost cracking apart.

“Save it, David,” I said coldly, giving him a sharp look. “You’ve overplayed your act.”

“David! Don’t bother with him! Let him go!” Emily’s voice cut through the air, sharp and shrill.

I didn’t look back. I walked out of that suffocating private room without a word.

Outside the hotel, the night wind carried a bite of cold.

Leaning against the car, I lit a cigarette.

The smoke filled my lungs and only then did the knot of frustration in my chest loosen a little.

My phone buzzed. It was a notification from the social app.

Someone had replied.

Without even checking the photo they sent, I typed out my location. “Come over. I’ll be waiting.”

Less than twenty minutes later, a girl pulled up on a shared e-bike by the curb.

She jogged over, her voice cautious. “Are you… the one? I’m Nelly.”

I looked up at her — a textbook e-girl look with short skirt, tight top, colorful hair, heavy eyeshadow.

But unexpectedly, there was a hint of shyness in her eyes and her voice was gentle.

“Yeah.” I flicked away the cigarette butt. “Come on, I’ll take you somewhere.”

Nelly nodded and followed obediently.

Once in the passenger seat, she sat quietly, careful not to touch anything she shouldn’t.

I drove to a nearby bar I often went to — not the fanciest place, but decent enough.

We found a booth and I ordered her a beer while I got myself a Coke.

She sipped her drink in small, quiet gulps, barely talking, though every now and then she’d sneak a glance at me.

“Um… you…”

She had just started to speak when a familiar wave of laughter and chatter came from the entrance.

I looked up — and couldn’t help the cold smirk tugging at my lips.

Speak of the devil.

Emily, David and the same group from the private room walked in, lively and noisy as ever.

David was leaning close to Emily’s ear, whispering something that finally drew a faint smile to her lips.

But then, they spotted me — and the girl sitting beside me.

Emily’s steps faltered.

Her smile froze, then slowly sank away.

Her eyes, sharp and cold as a blade, swept over me before landing on Nelly with open contempt.

A quick flash of satisfaction passed through David’s eyes before he slipped on a mask of just-right surprise and concern.

“Well, look who it is—Roger!” His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried easily across the room.

“So fast? Already got yourself an e-girl to wreck you?”

He deliberately emphasized the word “wreck,” drawing a few muffled laughs from the people behind him.

His gaze swept over the girl sitting across from me like he was appraising merchandise, the corner of his lips curling into a mocking smirk.

“Come on, Roger—seriously? Even if you’re mad at Miss Simpson, you don’t have to stoop this low.”

He gave a soft, derisive laugh. “Compared to Miss Simpson, this kind of girl is like heaven and earth apart.”

He sighed, shaking his head in exaggerated dismay. “Have your fun if you must, but don’t take it seriously. Be careful—you might catch something filthy and ruin your life for good.”

His words were venomous and cruel.

Beside me, Nelly stiffened violently, her head drooping even lower.

Her fingers tightened around her glass until her knuckles turned white.

“You’re right,” I said quietly.

A woman who always went out of her way to flatter Emily immediately chimed in, her gaze sweeping over Nelly from head to toe with open disdain.

“With that outfit and vibe, she doesn’t look like a decent woman at all. Roger, since when did your taste get this bad?”

Another man snorted. “Exactly. She’s not even worthy compared to Miss Simpson.”

“Roger, are you trying to slap Miss Simpson in the face on purpose?”

“Probably just lashing out,” someone added with a sneer. “He can’t get the best, so he settles for the worst.”

“So cheap…”

They kept talking, one after another — their voices weren’t loud, but every word carried a sting.

Standing among them, David wore a faint smile, pretending to mediate. “Alright, alright, let’s not go too far. Maybe Roger just got confused for a moment.”

Emily’s face stayed cold the entire time. Her chin lifted slightly, as if watching a farce that had nothing to do with her.

Only the tightly pressed lips and the fury flickering in her eyes betrayed what she truly felt.

She probably thought that being with a girl like this was the greatest insult to her.

I ignored their buzzing, fly-like voices, lifted my glass of cola, took a slow sip, then looked straight at David.

“Are you done talking?”

David’s smile didn’t falter. “Roger, don’t get the wrong idea—we’re only doing this for your own good…”

“For my good?” I cut him off, turning my gaze toward the proud woman standing beside him. “Emily, keep your dog on a leash. It’s barking too loudly—I find it annoying.”

Emily’s expression changed instantly.

David’s smile froze for a brief second, but he quickly covered it up with a sigh.

“Roger, how could you say that to Miss Simpson…”

I ignored him and looked toward Nelly, who still had her head lowered.

Her shoulders trembled slightly. I couldn’t tell if it was fear or anger.

Emily shot me a cold glance, the corner of her lips curving into a mocking smirk.

“Let’s not disturb this lovely pair of mutts,” she said icily. “We’re going to drink.”

She turned around and David immediately followed, his hand hovering just behind her waist in a mock display of care.

The group clustered around them as they made their way to a large reserved booth not far away.

Even through the pulse of the music, I could feel David’s gaze cutting across the crowd every now and then—each glance laced with that thin, cold sneer he didn’t bother to hide.

I couldn’t be bothered to respond.

“Nelly,” I said casually, leaning back against the seat, “Call your friends over.”