Seven Years a Shadow: The Stand-In's Escape novel Chapter 81

I tore the check into pieces and threw it into the nearby trash can.

"Thanks for the offer, but I really don’t need it."

Lucas was furious. "You’re living like this, and you’re still trying to spite me?"

"Can self-esteem be eaten?"

Just then, Isabella, along with the group of sycophantic classmates, came looking for Lucas and happened to witness everything that had just happened.

A flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, and she shook her head with a feigned sigh, pretending to feel sorry.

"Sophia, Lucas is always generous. The amount on that check is probably more than you could earn in a lifetime with your current job. Why would you tear it up?"

Some people whispered, "Sophia's got quite the backbone, huh? Isabella offers her a high-paying job and she turns it down, Lucas gives her a huge check and she still refuses."

One of the female classmates who had previously been targeting me speculated, "You won’t accept Mr. Bennett and Isabella’s kindness, but you’d rather stay here as a waitress. Could it be that you’re trying to catch yourself a rich husband?"

At this, the crowd erupted in surprise.

"That makes sense! After all, this is the Ritz-Carlton. How could an ordinary person get in here?"

"Only someone with status like Mr. Bennett could have an invitation."

"Yeah, we’re only here because of Isabella's connections. Otherwise, we wouldn’t even have the chance to broaden our horizons."

Isabella showed a look of realization.

"Sophia, I know a lot of well-off men. I could introduce you to some."

Before I could say anything, the same female classmate who had started the gossip quickly added, "Isabella, the kind of men you know are too high-profile. They’d never look at someone like Sophia. When it comes to finding a partner, it’s all about matching social status."

Isabella couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh, "That’s true."

I couldn’t be bothered to entertain their back-and-forth. I turned to walk away, but unexpectedly, a greasy, fat hand landed on my shoulder.

"Hey, old classmate, don’t be in such a hurry to leave. What do you think of me?"

The person was a short, overweight guy, barely 5'5".

I vaguely remembered that he was always the flirt during school.

I impatiently slapped his inappropriate hand away and coldly said, "Respect yourself."

The guy chuckled lewdly, "Oh? Playing hard to get?"

"Sophia, name a price? Serve me tonight."

I was about to slap him when the guy was suddenly kicked hard by Lucas.

Lucas’s gaze was ice-cold. "If you want to act like a thug, get the hell out."

I was momentarily stunned—Lucas actually helped me?

Isabella quickly pulled Lucas back. "Lucas, everyone was just trying to help Sophia find a partner, we were only joking."

I sneered. "No need for your concern, I’m already married."

Isabella didn’t say anything, but Lucas let out a cold snort.

This hotel was his property, and this top-tier jewelry auction was hosted by the Carter family.

The classmates who had been glaring at me immediately shifted their focus from me and flocked toward Ethan like starstruck fans.

In the chaos, Isabella took the chance to dump her red wine and pastries all over me.

Then, with a dramatic “Oh!” she collapsed.

Pouting, she said, “Sophia, I accidentally got your clothes dirty. How could you push me?”

I stared at this drama queen in disbelief. Before I could even explain, Lucas shoved me hard.

The exhaustion from staying up late for work caught me off guard, and I fell to the ground, dizzy and unable to get up.

Lucas looked at me, covered in stains, with disdain.

“Sophia, know your place. How dare you bully Isabella?”

Just then, my phone, which had slipped to the ground near his feet, suddenly rang.

He bent down to pick it up and, seeing the caller ID “Hubby,” his expression changed dramatically.

Lucas gritted his teeth, “You really got married?”

“Well, I’ll just see if your husband can compare to even a strand of my hair!”

Before I could stop him, he had already pressed the answer button.