Can't Sink into Poverty

The caller ID was "Mr. Idol".

His impression of me as a two-timing, loose woman was now set in stone.

What rotten luck.

"While you're engaged to me, you're flirting around with another man."

Joel looked so stern that it made my hair stand on end.

"I-I'm not."

He moved closer. The air around him was oppressive as he scowled. "While you fool around in bed with another man, you have me hidden in the backstage, doing the nasty job for you. Cheryl, you're quite something."

"I... Would you believe me if I say it's all a misunderstanding?"

"Do you think I would believe you, my dear Cheryl?"

He spat out the words "my dear Cheryl" through gritted teeth.

I could sense that my chance came and went. There was no point in struggling anymore.

It was a fact that I was not a virgin. Still, I could not let him trample all over me.

I pushed him away and swiftly put on a bold front. "So what if I'm not a virgin? You don't want to marry me. Well, I don't want to marry you either.

"You find me dirty, but do you have that right? Just how clean are you?

"You operate on women every day. You should be glad I don't hate you for it!"

I shoved him aside and strode out, slamming the door behind me.

I went home. Well, I no longer had a home.

The manor had been repossessed by the bank since it was used as collateral for our loan.

My dad had placed all his hopes on me, and he asked impatiently, "Well? Can the wedding go on?"

If I married Joel, he could help my family out of our desperate situation.

However, he already thought of me as a filthy, loose woman. There was no way he would want to marry me.

I dejectedly shook my head.

My dad's last shred of hope was gone. He dazedly muttered to himself, "We're doomed. We're all doomed."

Realization seemed to strike him as he abruptly questioned, "Why didn't Joel agree to the marriage? Didn't he say he would marry you as long as you're a virgin?"

He had to have seen the answer from the look on my face as he immediately glared at me. "What's with you? When did you date someone? Why don't I know about it?"

I had dated a jerk when I went abroad on holiday.

I never told anyone about him.

Over five years had passed, and I had forgotten all about that jerk.

With nowhere to live, I moved into the rental apartment of my childhood best friend, who was gay.

My dad moved in with my stepmother.

That night, I lay in bed. No matter how hard I tried, I just could not fall asleep.

I had been spoiled by my family's wealth. The sudden change to poverty was unbearable.

I messaged my dad. 'Find me another rich man to marry. This time, don't get someone who's picky.'

I've lived like royalty from birth. I couldn't let myself sink into poverty now. Marrying a rich man was the best option I had.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a new message. 'Do you need me to give you another chance?'

It was signed "Joel".

I scoffed and disdainfully muttered, "To give you another chance to humiliate me?"

The next day, my dad called me in great spirits. "Tina, there's still a chance. Old Mr. Lane really likes you. Visit him and make him happy. Joel always listens to him."

"Dad, is there no one else? Is Joel the only rich man in the entire world?" I sighed in helplessness. Begging Joel meant giving up my dignity.

My dad's sigh over the phone was even louder than mine. "Only the Lanes can afford to settle our debt."

Between wealth and my dignity...

Fine. I chose wealth.

I added Joel on WhatsApp using the number he messaged me with. As expected, he had an account.

'Hi, Dr. Lane. It's Tina.'

Are You Certain?

To ease things up, I even sent Joel a cute cat sticker.

According to the app, he was typing away. However, after 30 minutes, he still hadn't replied.

Shamelessly, I sent another message. 'Dr. Lane, we can be counted as old friends. Still, there's another side to me that you don't know. Can you give us a chance to get to know me?'

With my phone in hand, I waited for a reply.

Finally, just as I was about to fall asleep, Joel replied.

'Have you broken it off with him?'

My thumbs danced across the phone screen to tell him I didn't have a boyfriend. I was about to hit "send" when I suddenly remembered that a man like him would surely have looked into me.

There was nothing that could not be uncovered with a little money. Perhaps he even found out about my ex-boyfriend from my trip abroad.

I instantly deleted my message and changed it to a simple 'yes'.

The message was sent.

There was no reply.

I just did not get it. What did Joel mean by this?

Old Mr. Lane asked me to visit him for a meal, so I went with a gift in hand. I wondered why he liked me that much.

Once more, I met Joel.

He treated me like I was just a guest. Throughout the visit, he was polite and reserved.

During the meal, Old Mr. Lane said to him, "Joel, get Tina some vegetables."

Joel did as he was told.

I gave him a flirtatious look. "Thanks."

His face remained blank.

According to Old Mr. Lane, Joel rarely showed up to events, so most people in the city had never met him. The public only slowly got to know about him after he took over as the heir of the Lanes.

It was no wonder that the daughter of a rich and powerful family like me had not known of the great heir of the famous Lane Investing.

However, why did he run off to be a doctor instead of enjoying life as a rich man? He even specialized in that specific field.

After dinner, Old Mr. Lane said, "Tina, stay here for the night with Joel. Your grandpa and I arranged this betrothal, so you don't need to worry. Just stay the night."

I looked at Joel.

He was calm and silent.

On the inside, I was cheering with joy.

That evening, I washed up and changed into a lacey nightgown. Then, I lay down beside Joel in bed.

He then turned off the light. Like a gentleman, he did not react at all to my outfit or presence.

I shuffled closer to him and boldly wrapped my arms around his neck. "I'm yours now," I said shamelessly.

"Are you certain?" I couldn't detect any emotion in his voice.

"I am. You're so handsome and charming. I was attracted to you from the moment we met."

All facts were thrown out of the window as I flirted.

I did not care if he believed me. We just needed to be intimate and grow closer for now.

I kissed him, causing him to freeze for a moment. Then, he pinned me down on the bed and kissed me all over my body.

His kisses burned with passionate possessiveness like he had been starving for centuries.

While he did not do it with me, I wanted to do it with him. However, he stopped me with the reminder that I could only do it two months after the operation.

Noticing my eagerness, he asked glumly, "Has he touched you lately?"

I hurriedly shook my head.

He slid off of me.

Afraid that he would go back on his word, I asked in an attempt to seek confirmation, "Will we get married?"

He turned to give me a sideways glance. The room was bathed in dim moonlight. With an unreadable look in his eyes, he said, "That depends on you."

I was secretly happy with that reply. It meant I still had hope.

As expected, the first night I returned to my room, Joel video-called me.

He had just stepped out of the shower, and I had a clear view of his eight-pack in the video. The sight made me drool.

"You've already showered. That was fast," I randomly said.

"Babe, your bath is ready! Go bathe!" My best friend said to me from outside my room.