Chapter 2
The whole room went silent at my words.
My friends stared in disbelief, looking like they wanted to applaud me.
Jonas's face turned pale instantly.
His grip around Allie slackened, nearly sending her tumbling again.
"Lexi, what did you just say? You're going to marry Uncle Seth?" Jonas blurted out.
I nodded. "That's right. I'm willing to step aside to make room for you and Miss Ingram. Do you like my gift, Mr. Saunders?"
He stiffened, stammering, "B-but what about being the heir?"
I smiled. "As your grandfather publicly declared before, whoever marries me becomes the heir of Saunders Group. Since you don't want me, then naturally, you don't get the title either."
Jonas clenched his jaw so hard it looked like he might crack a tooth.
My friends couldn't wipe the grins off their faces, reveling in the moment.
"After all, Lexi's the country's top stock market genius."
"Saunders Group is what it is today thanks in no small part to her."
"If she didn't feel obliged to repay Mr. Harvey Saunders for raising her, she'd have already own the Saunders Group."
"Congratulations, Jonas. You finally got your dream girl. Don't forget to send us invites when the wedding comes around."
"I wonder how much the Saunders family will shell out in wedding present for such a pure and determined blind nightclub girl."
With that, my friends gathered around me and we walked out of the VIP lounge together.
As the door clicked shut behind us, the sound of glass shattering erupted inside, followed by a woman's startled sobs.
*****
"Jonas used to treat you like a dog. Cutting ties with him is the best thing you could've done."
"He even thought we hung around you for his sake. Today, he finally learned who's really holding the cards."
"Even Mr. Harvey Saunders treats you with respect. Who does Jonas think he is?"
"In the past, we played nice with him for your sake, Lexi. From now on, no more pretending."
"Good riddance."
*****
Word of my broken engagement spread fast.
And with it came the obvious conclusion: Jonas was no longer heir to the Saunders Group.
The glow that once surrounded Jonas disappeared almost overnight.
His spending was capped.
The exclusive pre-orders he used to take for granted were canceled.
The private VIP elevator at headquarters stopped recognizing his card.
Piece by piece, his privileged life unraveled.
[Ran into Jonas at Niche Spot today. He was actually waiting for a table like the rest of us. Can you believe that's the same arrogant golden boy?]
[Jonas got kicked out of the polo club chat—couldn't pay the annual fee.]
[Didn't he order a custom grand piano for Allie? It's finished now, but he probably can't cover the last payment. That's hilarious.]
Photos and messages mocking Jonas filled our group chat.
I glanced at them and raised an eyebrow, feeling nothing.
Honestly, looking back, I must have been out of my mind.
I couldn't believe I'd actually fallen for Jonas before.
Stripped of money and status, he was nothing more than any other spoiled rich kid: useless and idle. Just a handsome face, nothing more.
But Jonas' mother, Margo Saunders, wasn't ready to let it go. She showed up with Jonas in tow.
They sat across from me. Margo looked composed as she sipped her tea, while Jonas shot icy daggers at me.
I didn't say a word, just waited to see what they'd do next.
Margo spoke first. "Ever since Harvey got that call from you, he hasn't agreed to see Jonas at all. I understand this whole mess must've put you through a lot, so we've come to discuss a way to smooth things over.
"Allie's pregnant now. It's not suitable for her to keep working. Perhaps you could arrange a place for her and help look after her.
"As for Jonas—he is the Saunders heir. He can only marry you. You'll have to speak with Harvey and persuade him not to keep butting heads with his own grandson."
Margo's tone was cool and polite, her words impossible to fault, but it made my skin crawl.
Jonas, on the other hand, was blunt and straightforward.
He slapped a stack of papers onto the table. "This is the prenup. Our assets will be notarized. Once we get divorced, you won't see a dime of the Saunders family fortune.
"Oh, and our marriage is just for show. You need to make Allie believe I'm only ever in love with her."
His voice hardened. "When I inherit the Saunders Group, you'll quit your job and go overseas.
"Once you sign this prenup, you'll find a doctor who can cure Allie's eyes. When she regains her sight, I'll marry you."
I glanced at the ludicrous contract in my hand and fired back, "And what exactly do I get out of signing this?"
Margo and Jonas blinked, stunned.
I pressed on, "What do I get out of marrying you, Jonas?"
Their brows furrowed.
I burst out laughing. "So let me get this straight: I marry Jonas and Jonas becomes the Saunders heir. He gets all the cash, cars, and assets. Meanwhile, I have to look after Allie, even help her find a doctor.
"Then, after all that, he'll eventually kick me out of the country. Wow, I guess I don't even rate as much as your hired help."
Jonas stood up, looking down at me, seemingly full of himself. "Hey, at least you'll get to see me all the time. Lexi, I know you've got a thing for me. Honestly, letting you see me is a blessing to you."
I opened my mouth, but words just wouldn't come out.
Suddenly, it all made sense. In my previous life, no matter how much I gave and how hard I worked for Jonas, he never appreciated it.
To him, letting me see him was considered a blessing.
"A blessing," I repeated through clenched teeth.
After seeing Jonas and Margo out politely, I uploaded the unedited video of them confronting me today straight to my social feed.
My post instantly racked up hundreds of likes.
My friends all messaged me, asking if they could repost it.
I had no reason or excuse to hold Jonas back from turning into a public joke.
Under the video, I added a line: [Hit all three—like, comment, and share!]
Within two days, the clip had blown up. To my surprise, big-name bloggers reposted it, making it viral.
[A blessing? Does he think he's God or something?]
[Nah, he thinks he's money, that everyone would be thrilled just to catch a glimpse of him.]
[Don't insult money. The dude's a total scumbag.]
[Lexi's the one hustling to earn him all that cash and power, and he figures his handsome face is enough for her to slave away for him? How shameless.]
[Lexi, how about me instead? I'm still in university and am young, low-maintenance, and am a sweet talker.]
[Me too, Lexi. I don't care about money or status. I just want hugs and cuddles from you.]