Part 2The Five Hundred Million Dollar "Pick-Me" Girl

As predicted, I fell into a warm, broad embrace.

The man looked detached as he steadied me and then let go.

"Are you okay?"

I lifted my fragile neck, clearly in pain but pretending to be strong.

"I'm fine. I just lost my balance."

Sure enough, the moment our eyes met, he paused for a second.

But to Chloe, this looked very different.

"Liam! Why did you hug her? Is this bitch seducing you again?!"

She screamed and charged at me once more.

But before she could touch me, Liam grabbed her arm.

"Chloe, what is wrong with you today?!"

"Sarah is just a fiancée my parents decided on verbally. The only person I love is you."

"But if she gets hurt because of you, my parents will hate you even more. How can I marry you then?!"

A flicker of impatience crossed Liam's eyes, but he still patiently explained everything to Chloe.

Mark spoke up for me.

"Yeah, Sarah has been nothing but polite. Why did you hit her, Chloe?"

Chloe was panting heavily. Realizing the situation was turning against her, she forced a smile uglier than crying.

"I'm sorry, Sarah. I mistook you for someone else."

I stole a glance at Liam and lowered my head dejectedly.

"It's okay. I was the one who intruded."

Liam glanced at me subtly, seeming a bit uncomfortable. He took a box out of his pocket and handed it to me, speaking briefly.

"A welcome gift. My mom asked me to give it to you."

Then, he opened a fancy shopping bag he was holding and took out a palm-sized velvet box, handing it to Chloe.

"I bought this with my allowance. Whatever others have, you have too."

Chloe's tense expression finally relaxed. Seeing the ruby jewelry set inside, she beamed with joy.

"Thank you, Liam! I love you so much!"

I opened my box. Inside was just a simple, semi-luxury hair clip.

The difference in importance was clear.

Chloe glanced at me, barely hiding her smugness.

"Wow, your hair clip is pretty too. Put it on."

Under everyone's gaze, a few crystal-clear tears rolled down my cheeks.

Mark looked at me nervously, and even Liam's smile faded significantly.

"Thank you, but I can't accept it."

Liam was confused. "Why?"

I looked up, my eyes filled with inferiority and loneliness that pierced him.

"Chloe is the future mistress of the Stone family. Of course she deserves the best—clothes, jewelry, bags. She deserves it all. I'm just a kid from the countryside. Being able to go to the same university as you guys is already a blessing. How could I dare ask for more?"

I wiped the tears from my cheeks vigorously and handed the box to the girl behind Chloe, smiling bravely and sincerely.

"Pretty sister, I think this suits you better than me. As a good friend, Chloe has so much jewelry but didn't give you any. So, I'll give you my hair clip."

Knowing Chloe, she was never generous.

Sure enough, surprise flashed across the girl's face.

"Thank you! No one has ever given me such a precious gift!"

"I'm Jenny. Sarah, we're best friends from now on. Come to me if you need anything!"

Because of my self-deprecation, no one doubted the sincerity of my gift.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Liam's eyes.

Chloe looked awkward, holding her jewelry box in mid-air, unsure whether to offer something or not.

With this one move, I earned sympathy and provided emotional value to others.

Chloe, on the other hand, left an impression of being stingy and petty.

As we were leaving, Liam stopped me and stuffed a card into my hand.

"The Stone family owes you. Don't sell yourself short. Use this money to buy something you like."

My ears turned slightly red, and I nodded shyly.

Chloe glared at me with venom in her eyes but said nothing.

It wasn't until I walked out of the school gate that I realized why Chloe had held back.

Walking briskly toward me were my biological parents.