Chapter 3

He frowned and questioned me, "Sophia Carter, am I a stranger to you? What do you mean?"

I replied, "I can buy my own clothes. Whatever my job is now, I think it's decent and nothing to be ashamed of. I don't think I'm giving up on myself, and this money, you should keep it for those who need it."

He stood there holding the check, his lips tightly pressed together.

Yvonne walked to Felix's side, looked at the check in his hand, and seemed to understand something.

Her eyes flashed with anger, but she still had to pretend to be gentle.

"Sophia, you don't want our goodwill? Then let me offer something more practical."

"I recently opened a nail salon on City Avenue. You can come directly, I'll arrange for you to be a nail technician apprentice. The salary isn't high, about $2000 a month, but the main thing is you can learn a skill. Even if you're down on your luck in the future, you can still open a nail salon."

"How about it? Interested in giving it a try? This job should be much more decent than your current one."

I calmly ate my food and declined their offer.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm very satisfied with my job and have no plans to change at the moment."

The surrounding classmates shouted at me, "Sophia, why aren't you appreciating their kindness! Felix and Yvonne are being so nice, offering you money and a job. You should take it!"

"That's right, you're in such a sorry state, why care about face? Coming to a class reunion in such a miserable condition, aren't you here to get resources? Why are you pretending now?"

Yvonne chimed in with fake sincerity, "Don't say that, everyone! Maybe Sophia really likes her current job!"

She turned to me, "Sophia, this is our goodwill, and we're offering you this job out of consideration for our past relationship. Don't miss this opportunity just to save face!"

I really didn't understand why they were so insistent on giving me money and a job.

"Really, I don't need it. Thank you."

Yvonne still smiled very gently, but her eyes were full of mockery and disdain.

Felix clutched the check tightly and sneered.

"A hopeless case indeed. I guess even if someone wants to help you, it's impossible! You'll die poor for sure!"

Right after this taunt, many of the male classmates swarmed over.

They wanted to make me drink.

"Sophia, seeing how pitiful you are now, if you drink one glass, I'll transfer $1000 to you."

"If you're really that desperate... I'll add some more money!"