Chapter 8

Selena gave the question some thought. Elliott had spent two million dollars on her. She didn't feel good about spending any more of his money, so she said, "We can just have some hot dogs."

Hot dogs were common in Mountshire, and they were also affordable, even if one were to order more than one.

"How can we settle for hot dogs? Come on. Let's eat at Regal Steakhouse for dinner! There's a branch right here in Waverly Mall," Elliott suggested.

He had been considering a seafood buffet. Alas, the best spot for seafood was at Serene Bay, and that was almost an hour's drive away from Waverly Mall. Thus, he gave up on that idea and saved it for the next time.

"Okay. Let's have steak, then," Selena answered.

She assumed it would just be a regular steakhouse. However, upon entering the restaurant, she was informed that even the cheapest meal started at 399 dollars—and that was the most basic option.

If they went for a higher-quality steak and paired it with some wine, foie gras, appetizers, and more, the meal would end up costing at least a thousand dollars.

Selena was stupefied. She never thought a meal at a steakhouse could be this expensive. It was her first time eating one that cost this much.

Soon, the food was served.

Selena eagerly sliced a piece of steak and blew on it to cool it down a bit before holding it out to Elliott, saying, "Hurry up and have a taste, Eli."

Elliott opened his mouth and took the bite of steak. It was a first for him to have a beautiful woman feeding him, and the steak did taste pretty good. He wasn't sure if it was due to the quality of the meat or the fact that a gorgeous chick was feeding him, but either way, he enjoyed his food.

Not long after they started eating, however, a man and a woman came in. Elliott was startled to see them, and they were similarly taken aback to see Elliott and Selena. The two were none other than Ivan and Anne.

As people always said, fate loved irony.

After exiting the Gucci boutique, Ivan and Anne didn't leave Waverly Mall right away. Instead, following their fight, Ivan did feel like he owed Anne. After all, they'd come over to humiliate Elliott for bragging, only to end up getting humiliated in return. He didn't even buy a single thing for Anne.

He was still keen to get a hotel room tonight and be the first to get a taste of Anne in bed, so he decided to splurge on a meal at Regal Steakhouse with her. Naturally, she agreed to it, and the cracks in their relationship appeared to have healed over quite nicely.

Alas, who would've thought that as soon as they entered the restaurant, they would end up bumping into Elliott and Selena? They even caught sight of Selena feeding the steak to Elliott.

"Let's go somewhere else," Anne muttered.

"Why should we? We're eating here!" Ivan declared.

He was eager to regain some dignity in front of Elliott anyhow. Sure, he couldn't afford to spend thousands of dollars on shoes, bags, or clothes, but the cheapest set meal for two at Regal Steakhouse was only 399 dollars. He could afford that much.

Now, it was his turn to flaunt his wealth.

Tugging Anne along, Ivan sauntered further into the restaurant and purposely chose the table beside Elliott and Selena.

"What a coincidence running into you guys here as well!" Elliott remarked casually.

Snorting, Ivan had a scornful, taunting look in his eye as he shot back, "Yeah, what a coincidence. I didn't think you guys would decide to eat at such an expensive restaurant."

He was also subtly hinting to Anne that this was a classy joint, so she shouldn't be angry after having a meal here.

Anne felt a little awkward. She wanted to avoid this unnecessary encounter, but since Ivan was adamant, all she could do was steel herself and take a seat at the table. She stole a glance at Elliott, her emotions a mess. She felt a mix of nostalgia over the past and ruefulness over the present.

Still puffing himself up haughtily, Ivan raised his right hand and called out loudly, "Waiter, take our order!"

Yet, before a waiter approached the table, a plump woman in her 30s stood up from a table a few dozen feet away. She marched up to Ivan, screaming, "Ivan, you bastard! How dare you hook up with another woman in front of me?"

Her appearance made Ivan stiffen in shock. Clearly, he didn't expect to run into her here.

"Y-You got the wrong idea, Shira," Ivan stammered. "She and I are just classmates."

The woman was Shira Woolley, a name that often reminded others of shearling wool—which somehow matched her thickset build perfectly. She was as warm as a bundle of wool.

But at the moment, Shira was seething with rage. Her expression was cold as ice as she berated Ivan, "Don't give me that bullshit! How dare you lie to me? Would classmates walk around hand-in-hand?

"I give you 10,000 dollars a month to spend. I pay for your food and clothes. I even let you drive my Porsche! But here you are cheating on me behind my back? In the last two years, I've spent at least 300,000 dollars on you. Give me back my money right this instant!"

"I…" Ivan spluttered, finding it impossible to speak. He didn't have that kind of money, of course.

Terrified, he immediately clung to Shira and said, "Shira, it's all because of that bitch, Anne! She's the one who seduced me! It's all her fault!"

Shira glared at Anne. "How dare you try to seduce my man, you whore?"

The commotion drew a spectating crowd who started making comments about Anne and Ivan.

"Oh, my! How dramatic! To think a guy who's already a sugar baby would still cheat by getting himself a side piece! What a turn of events!"

"What's with the side piece anyway? She looks alright. Why didn't she try to get herself a decent guy of her own? How shameless of her to choose to be the other woman!"

"Well, they're in trouble now. They've been caught red-handed!"

Anne couldn't believe her ears. Everyone was criticizing her and saying rather nasty things. She felt as though her head was ringing.

Ivan was the one who confessed to her! Why was she the other woman now?

"I'm not a side piece! Ivan, hurry up and explain the truth to them!" Anne demanded.

Alas, the moment Ivan saw Shira, he lost all of his spunk. Shira was the one who funded his lifestyle. Without her, he was broke. Naturally, between money and Anne, he chose money.

To prove his innocence, he slapped Anne on the face and shouted, "You shameless bitch! I can't believe you tried to seduce me!"

Though the slap left Anne feeling a little dazed, she quickly snapped back into her senses and screeched, "How can you do this, Ivan? You're the one who asked me out!"

That only riled Ivan up even more. He slapped her on the other cheek while yelling, "Hah! Don't you fucking dare to set me up! Why would I ask a shameless bitch like you to go out with me? Get lost! Don't you ever bother me again!"

Then, he turned to Shira and said, "I've dealt with that bitch, Shira. Please give me a chance! You're the only one I like. I can't be without you!"

As the crowd looked between the much older Shira and the young, attractive Anne, they started to make comments again.

"Of all the things that young lady should've learned, she ended up learning how to steal a man!"

"Well, she got caught in the act now, and it's too late for regrets!"

"These days, everyone just wants to take shortcuts. I can't believe she seduced a married man. How shameless of her!"

The spectators made it sound as though this entire situation was Anne's fault, and that crushed her. She realized that not a single person was standing up for her. Ivan, the guy who claimed to love her and promised to protect her, was the one who just stomped all over her pride.

It was her heart, not her face, that hurt the most right now. She felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart.

Why? Why was this happening to her?

Her words carried no weight at all. No one believed her.