Chapter 5

Roseline’s POV The door was knocked on again, and Tiffany’s voice drifted in. “Hi, Rose, do you need any help?” I was a mess. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m fine, Tiffany. And thank you, but… I just want to be alone for a while. Can we talk later?” It went quiet again outside the door. I knew Tiffany had shown up just in time. Though we’d never been particularly close, I had placed too much trust in Isaac’s control over me. He always told me I only needed him. My gaze fell back on my contact list. My only good friend in the city was currently out of town—I couldn’t reach her, and I was certain she didn’t have that kind of money either. If I were a genius, I’d just hack a bank and withdraw enough cash, just enough to pay for Brian’s treatment. My gaze shifted to the nightstand—the ring. I could sell it since Isaac insisted on leaving it behind to humiliate me. I had just graduated from college and was merely an intern at Isaac’s company, with no savings at all. The ring once reassured me of our dream to grow old together, laughing, crying, loving each other, until death do us part. Just like the generations before us. But he only wanted me as his mistress. God… was I fucking wrong? I’d never be good enough for them. I thought, as long as I became the best version of myself, the one he deserved, they would accept me. So I gave it everything—only to be tossed aside like a stray dog, not even worthy of begging for crumbs at their table. To them, I was just someone inferior. I grabbed the ring, rushed out of the apartment, and ran toward the boutique—hoping I could make it in time. It was worth five hundred thousand dollars. I thought that should at least cover part of the bills. Re-energized, I walked into the luxury boutique. This place only served high-end clients. My salary put it way out of reach—this was my first time stepping inside. Even just walking in made me nervous. “Hello, ma’am!” I greeted, my voice trembling with uncertainty. “We don’t buy secondhand goods. Try the discount store downstairs—that one’s more your style,” the saleswoman snapped, looking me up and down with a trace of scorn. I clenched my teeth and took out the ring. She recognized the brand. Her expression immediately shifted to disbelief. “Exchange? Or return?” she still asked with disdain. “Return,” I replied. “I’ll need the original receipt,” she said coldly. I froze. Did I need to call Isaac? Suddenly, a sharp, familiar female voice rang out. Alice! “Gross… so gross… you again?!” She mocked me. “Ever since my brother dumped you, now I have to see your disgusting face again!” Alice sneered, her face full of contempt. “Your little plan to live off our family failed, huh? Trying to use our name to climb the ladder?” Alice Jones acted like she owned the entire world—so smug, so ridiculous. I rolled my eyes. Great. Here comes the drama queen. “Alice… I’m not in the mood. I’m just here to return a ring I no longer need. Don’t block my way.” I said calmly. “A ring?! You didn’t steal it, did you! No way your salary could afford a half-million-dollar ring!” she shrieked. I noticed people around started looking at me with judgment. Alice smirked, then turned to the staff and said, “Don’t believe a word she says. She’s a pathetic gold digger, a thief who’d do anything to rise above her station.” The saleswoman curled her lip in disgust. “Miss Jones, you’re one of our most valued clients. You’ve spent over half a million here—we’re very grateful. What would you like us to do with her?” “Throw her onto the street.” My eyes widened. No store should treat a customer with such disrespect. I was fuming, about to pull out my phone to file a complaint— That’s when a soft, childlike voice interrupted. “Stop! No one’s throwing her out. She’s with me.” The voice was young, but full of authority. I looked at him in shock. He winked at me, silently telling me not to worry—he had my back. I didn’t know him, but the more I looked, the more familiar he seemed. I couldn’t quite remember where I’d seen him before. I stood frozen. The boy spoke again. “She’s my dad’s fiancée,” he said, shocking me even further. I instinctively reached out to pull him away—I didn’t want him dragged into this because of me. But what happened next shocked me more—Alice and the saleswoman suddenly changed their attitudes and smiled at him. “Young Master Foster, what a surprise seeing you here… She’s a gold digger… you must be mistaken.” Alice had barely opened her mouth before he cut her off. “Stay away from me,” he said coldly. Then he came over and grabbed my hand. “Let’s go. The air here stinks.” “Fire her,” he said, pointing at the saleswoman. She burst into tears on the spot. The other staff rushed to help me process the return. I received 80% of the original price in cash. “Thank you.” After leaving the mall, I caught up to him. “But you’ve made a mistake. I don’t know your father.” He winked and said, “Of course. But if you’re willing to date him, you’ll be.” “Your dad’s single? What about your mom?” I asked. Just as he was about to answer, two suited bodyguards appeared and took him away before he could finish, escorting him into a luxury car parked nearby. “I’ll find you again!” he shouted. I laughed—for the first time in days. But the looming shadow of that $500,000 medical bill quickly crept back in. Rose, remember to pay the rent. My roommate Tiffany texted me. The landlord just came by. I replied, bracing myself to head to work. At least my paycheck could cover the rent. But then my phone rang again—and lately, every ring filled me with dread. "Sorry, Roseline. You're fired."Spoken flatly over the phone by the boss.