Leila Stewart slammed her hands on the table, her frustration boiling over into visible anger. She wasn't just surprised anymore; she was downright furious.
As Sophia Rivers' closest friend, Leila knew all about Sophia's upcoming birthday party. After all, Mr. Rivers had planned a grand celebration for his daughter's special day, complete with high-profile guests and a display of the family's immense wealth.
But Leila also understood something Mike Carter clearly didn't: that party wasn't meant for people like him.
Watching Mike's self-assured expression, Leila let out a cold laugh. "Mike, do you even have the right to smile right now?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Mike countered, calm and collected.
Leila stared at him, incredulous. Was this guy for real? River Valley College had plenty of characters, but Mike Carter really took the cake.
Sophia's family was part of the elite, a pillar of high society. Her birthday wasn't just a celebration; it was a gathering of the city's wealthiest and most influential families. Mike, a broke student, had no business being there.
"Fine," Leila sneered. "Go ahead and embarrass yourself tomorrow. Don't blame me when people humiliate you."
She grabbed her purse, glared at Mike one last time, and turned to Sophia. "I've had enough. I'm leaving."
Leila's laughter echoed as she walked out. The thought of Mike showing up at the Rivers' party was almost too much for her to handle. She couldn't wait to see him humiliated.
After all, she knew something Mike didn't.
Tomorrow's party wasn't just a regular birthday bash. Sophia's family had invited someone special—someone who had openly declared his interest in Sophia. That someone was Ethan Bear, the younger son of the Bear family, one of the most powerful families in the region. The Rivers and the Bears had been in talks about a potential marriage alliance for years, and Sophia's father had quietly approved of the idea.
Ethan Bear wasn't just rich; he was untouchable. His name alone carried enough weight to make people think twice about crossing him. If Mike Carter dared to show up at the party and pose as Sophia's boyfriend, he'd be walking into a lion's den.
Once Leila left, Mike turned to Sophia, his brow furrowed. "What's her problem?"
Sophia sighed, looking embarrassed. "Don't take it personally. Leila's just... protective. She probably misunderstood."
Changing the subject, Sophia pulled out a sleek black card from her purse and handed it to Mike. "Here. This has $5,000 on it. Use it to buy me a birthday gift for tomorrow. And this one," she added, holding up another card, "has $2,000 for your... services."
"Services?" Mike raised an eyebrow.
Sophia's cheeks turned pink. "I'd like you to pretend to be my boyfriend at the party."
Mike blinked. Of all the things she could've said, he hadn't expected that. "Five thousand dollars to buy you a gift, and two thousand for pretending to date you? Sounds like a decent deal."
Sophia fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable. "It's just... complicated. Let's say someone's going to be there, and I need a distraction. You're the only person who fits the role."
Mike smirked. "So I'm your 'plan B'?"
Sophia flushed even deeper. "You don't have to put it that way."
Mike examined the cards for a moment before pocketing one and handing the other back. "I'll take the $5,000 for the gift. Keep the $2,000."
Sophia blinked. "Why?"
Mike shrugged. "Let's just say I'm curious. Send me the address. I'll see you tomorrow."
And with that, he walked out, leaving Sophia staring after him, bewildered. For a moment, she couldn't help but smile.
As Mike stepped out onto the bustling city street, his phone buzzed. It was a call from Mr. Howard, his family's loyal steward.
"Young Master, I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Mr. Howard's voice was as measured as ever.
Mike chuckled. "Even if you were, I doubt it would stop you. What's up?"
"I've just secured a few small projects for you. Nothing major. Perhaps a few billion in investments."
Mike nearly tripped over his own feet. "A few billion? That's your idea of 'small'?"
"For the Huntington family, yes," Mr. Howard replied matter-of-factly. "I'll send someone to pick you up. We can discuss the details."
Before Mike could protest, a sleek black car pulled up beside him. Less than ten minutes later, he was sitting across from Mr. Howard in a private suite at a five-star hotel.
For the next six hours, they reviewed the projects in detail. Despite the late hour, Mike found himself engrossed in the discussions. With Mr. Howard's guidance, he began to understand the intricacies of high-stakes investments.
By the time they wrapped up, the sun was beginning to rise.
"Not bad, Young Master," Mr. Howard said, nodding in approval. "You've got a sharp mind for business. But there's one area where you're severely lacking."
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's that?"
"Spending money," Mr. Howard said bluntly. "Your spending habits are an embarrassment to the Huntington name. You need to learn to spend lavishly."
Mike laughed, though he wasn't entirely sure Mr. Howard was joking. "I'll work on it."
Mr. Howard smiled knowingly. "Good. Now, I hear you have a birthday party to attend tomorrow. Allow me to prepare a suitable gift."
The next morning, Mike woke up to find a small velvet box waiting for him. Inside was a stunning, intricately designed pendant adorned with rare gemstones.
"This," Mr. Howard declared, "is the gift. It's guaranteed to make an impression."
Mike examined the pendant, skeptical. "How exactly is this a 'guaranteed' success?"
Mr. Howard leaned in with a conspiratorial smile. "Because it comes with the weight of a single word. One word, Young Master, can change everything."
Mike's curiosity was piqued. "What word?"
Mr. Howard whispered in his ear. Hearing it, Mike's eyes widened in astonishment.
"That's… genius," Mike murmured.
Mr. Howard straightened, his expression triumphant. "Genius, indeed. With this, Young Master, you won't just attend the party. You'll own it."