Chapter 2

Esme's face turned sour quickly.

"Caspian, do you have to be so harsh? I kindly invited you to my engagement party and even worried about your financial difficulties. Is this how you repay those who help you, with malicious speculation?"

She sure knows how to twist the truth.

I was too lazy to argue with them any further, and with a nod to Jude, I planned to leave, but Esme stepped forward and grabbed me.

I shook off her hand with some disgust, her face twisted in embarrassment.

"What? You're feeling guilty and admitting it? Sneaking away with your tail between your legs is really your style."

I couldn't help but laugh at their antics.

"Is hooking up with a wealthy guy not enough to satisfy your vanity? Do you have to step on me to show your superiority? You really need to work on that mindset."

"The value of life isn't measured solely by money. Instead of stirring up trouble here, why not do something meaningful with your time?"

Out of respect for old classmates, I decided to offer them some advice.

My colleagues exhaust themselves daily for research, thinking of ways to contribute more to the country and its people.

Their worldview, however, is truly baffling.

Declan's face also turned ugly, looking at me as if to say, "Who do you think you are to lecture me?"

Esme, no need to mention, her face was so dark it could almost drip water.

I respect others' fate, just giving a kind reminder. Whether they listen or not is up to them.

I shrugged indifferently, turning to leave.

Behind me, Esme let out a malicious laugh. When I turned around, I saw her with tear-filled eyes, looking pitiful.

"Caspian, all these years, I've kept quiet to protect your dignity. I was wholeheartedly devoted to you, but you dumped me for a better future, afraid I'd hold you back. Who's more vain between us?"

Her words made Esme start sobbing uncontrollably. Declan comforted her, and whispers grew louder around us.

"Really? Caspian turned out to be like this? I was silently rooting for him just now."

"No wonder they broke up without warning; so that's what happened..."

"Scumbag! Pfft!"

When Esme and I dated, she pursued me.

Three months into the relationship, a handsome and wealthy transfer student joined our class, and since then, Esme became distant.

After seeing her with the transfer student, I decided to talk to her, but she took the opportunity to break up with me.

"What do you have compared to him? Can you give me money or fame? If not, stop wasting my time. Honestly, being with you is embarrassing."

Thinking of this, I'm suddenly grateful for the breakup back then.

"Weren’t you the one who disliked me for not giving you money or fame? Wasn't it you who wanted to break up to be with the transfer student?"

Now playing the victim, what's the point?

Angered by her twisting the truth, I couldn't hold back and revealed the facts.

Declan, comforting the sobbing Esme, glared at me with furrowed brows.

"Esme was the prom queen back then, lots of people chased her. You were broke and couldn't give her security, what's wrong with her leaving you?"

Esme spoke between sobs.

"I just wanted a stable future with someone I liked..."

As I explained the truth, some people's angry faces switched to mocking expressions.

"Bottom line, you were just incompetent, couldn't even keep a girlfriend."

"Girls are sensitive, you know? If you can't provide basic security, what's the point of dating?"

"Caspian, seeing you like this, I bet you still don't have a girlfriend."

"Esme was right to leave him back then. Being with him would only lead to hardship."

As the crowd discussed, all attacking me, Esme couldn’t help but smile, and Declan arrogantly raised his head, looking like he was enjoying the show.

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