Chapter 3

A procession of luxury cars swept into the estate, the convoy looking like something straight out of a billionaire's daydream.

As soon as everyone stepped out and took in the sprawling courtyard, their jaws nearly hit the ground.

“This isn’t just an estate—are you telling me this is a palace?”

“Oh my God, I’ve peaked. I’m ready to be crowned king!”

Jonas stood at the grand entrance, his chin held high as he struck a dramatic pose. “Welcome, everyone. This is merely the smallest property in my family’s portfolio.”

He wasn’t entirely wrong—it was the smallest one.

This estate, nestled halfway up a mountainside, was designed as a summer retreat. With a cool breeze and the sound of a nearby stream, my parents often stayed here to escape the heat. That was why I’d chosen this place for today.

The estate’s architecture had a distinct palatial style, complete with a plaque above the massive front doors. Inscribed on it were two prominent words: Johnson Manor.

It didn’t take long for someone to notice the glaring detail. One of my classmates pointed at the plaque, her voice loud with confusion. “Jonas, why does the estate have Suzy Johnson’s last name on it?”

At her outburst, everyone looked up, murmuring in surprise.

Jonas shot me a murderous glare before awkwardly clearing his throat. “Well, you see… Suzy’s dad is my family’s butler. My parents are really kind-hearted, so they let her family stay here often. That’s why…”

His rambling explanation was absolute nonsense, but somehow, the crowd bought it, nodding as though it made perfect sense.

“Wow, your family is so generous, Jonas. No wonder Suzy acts so boldly.”

“If I were Jonas, I’d have fired that insolent butler’s family ages ago!”

I stood quietly at the front doors of my own home, watching these clueless fools gossip about me, the rightful owner.

The effort to suppress my laughter was almost physically painful.

Jonas hesitated at the entrance, clearly eager to go inside, but Clara wasn’t about to let this opportunity to humiliate me slip away. She clung to his arm, holding her head high like she owned the place, and strutted through the doors with the air of a hostess.

"Jonas, don’t you think it’s time we replaced the name on that plaque with a more fitting one?"

Jonas, caught up in the moment and clearly intoxicated by the attention, gazed at her with a dazed smile. "Maybe in a few days, it’ll bear my girlfriend’s name instead."

Clara giggled, playfully smacking his chest, her cheeks glowing with faux shyness. The classmates trailing behind them began chanting, "Get together! Get together!"

They followed Jonas and Clara up the steps, only to be stopped abruptly at the gate by a pair of security guards.

"Private residence. No unauthorized visitors allowed," one of the guards said firmly.

Jonas’ face went ashen, the blood draining from it as he turned to glare at me, disbelief etched on his features. "What kind of game are you playing now?"

I offered the guards a polite smile, my tone light. "Let them in. They’re all my friends."

The guards stepped aside immediately, and the crowd hesitated, their expressions shifting as they exchanged awkward glances.

Clara leaned in close to Jonas, whispering in his ear. I didn’t need to hear her to know what she was saying—something along the lines of telling him to put me in my place and remind me who the “real” owner was.

Jonas, ever the fool, nodded seriously and squeezed Clara’s hand in agreement.

Ignoring the curious stares from my classmates, I stepped past them and called out toward the front door, "Mom, Dad, I’m home!"

Jonas immediately grabbed my arm, his voice low and sharp. "Suzy, stop pulling these little stunts."

I yanked my arm free and raised my voice. "I only said I’d let you borrow the estate for the day. I never said I was giving it to you."

At my words, the classmates froze, their growing doubts about the true ownership of the estate now undeniable.

What I hadn’t expected, though, was that my parents, who always spent their summers here, would be out today. Despite calling out to them several times, I got no response, and Jonas’ tense expression gradually relaxed.

Feeling emboldened, he seemed determined to claim the estate as his own, especially after showing off in front of Clara. "Suzy, this is my last warning. Don’t make things worse for yourself!"

He hesitated, his arrogance faltering briefly before continuing, "Why would your parents be here? They’re probably… busy right now."

His vague explanation only fueled his classmates’ laughter.

"Look at her, yelling for her ‘parents’ like she forgot they work for Jonas’ family," one snickered.

"I’m officially crowning Suzy the queen of cringe. That performance was embarrassing."

"No wonder Jonas is so rich. Even the way he spoils his staff makes me jealous."

Instead of getting angry, I let out a laugh and looked at Jonas. "So, Jonas, they’re saying it, and you’re just going to roll with it? You’re really that eager to pretend this place belongs to you?"

Before Jonas could reply, the crowd, eager to silence me, shoved me roughly toward the door.

I stumbled, landing hard on the ground.

That was enough to break the carefully maintained politeness of the staff. The butler, who had been courteous until now, immediately dropped his polite demeanor, his face darkening.

Within moments, the security guards stationed outside stormed in, surrounding the classmates in an intimidating circle.