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.