Chapter 1

A year ago, I was the heir to a billionaire empire. At a party, I publicly humiliated Chloe:

"Who the hell would ever fall for that fat pig?"

She completely lost her mind that night, and her father had her committed to a mental institution.

One year later, our roles reversed completely.

At her welcome-back party, a luxury VIP club sent in a lineup of male escorts. I was one of them.

She looked down at my pale, emaciated frame and sneered, "Who would ever hire such a sickly jinx? Unless... he barks like a dog."

Inside the VIP lounge, Chloe sat right in the center, surrounded by wealthy heirs and socialites.

A dozen tall, handsome male models walked into the room. I stood at the very end of the line, keeping my head low to go unnoticed.

Now, everyone in the city knew the power and wealth of the Miller family. If I could get picked tonight, the payout would be huge.

I lifted my eyes slightly, only to collide with Chloe's cold, detached gaze.

A mocking smirk played on her lips as her eyes swept over our lineup. "Let's see some skin."

The guy in the middle immediately ripped open his button-down, flexing his sculpted abs.

The others quickly followed suit.

I stood there like a wooden statue, completely still.

"You still think you're the golden boy of the Vance family? What are you standing there for? Take it off!"

"I'm warning you, if you don't bring in cash this month, you're out on the street!"

The club manager hissed impatiently into my ear.

The boss had spoken, so I had no choice. I slowly undid my buttons, exposing my bare chest.

The room instantly erupted into sharp, cruel laughter. My body was practically skin and bones now, and after a severe car crash a while back, ugly scars crisscrossed my torso. There was nothing appealing about me.

Someone recognized me.

"Holy shit! Isn't that Julian Vance? The guy who used to look down on everyone! Chloe, look at this!"

"And here I thought the great heir had a killer body. Turns out he was hiding a skeleton."

"Heir? More like a bum. The Vance empire is dead. He owes millions in debt. He's not even fit to shine Chloe's shoes now."

Malicious sneers came from every corner of the room, but Chloe just stared at me in complete silence.

The manager caught on quickly and shoved a bottle toward me, telling me to pour her a drink.

I hesitated, set down the wine glass, and instead picked up a small strawberry cake from the side table before walking toward her.

"Miss Miller, I remember strawberry cake was always your favorite."

I bowed my head, holding the cake out to Chloe in utter humiliation.

The manager rushed forward with a sycophantic smile. "Miss Miller, he's new and doesn't know the rules. I'll have him down a whole bottle as punishment so he doesn't ruin your mood."

Chloe let out a sultry, arrogant laugh. "My mood is already ruined. If you want to stay, fine. Bark like a dog."

"Otherwise..." She flipped her long hair, raised her hand, and slapped the strawberry cake right out of my hands. She wiped the cream on her fingers across my bare chest to humiliate me.

Then, in a lazy drawl, she murmured, "Who would ever fall for such a sickly jinx?"

The moment those words left her lips, the facade of endurance I had maintained for so long shattered completely right before her eyes.