My best friend started dating a billionaire. The first time we met, he handed me a Louis Vuitton bag. I was too terrified to take it, but he thought I was offended by the price. So, he pulled out a black card and slid it across the table. "Nice to meet you. Here’s a $25,000 greeting fee." Later, my best friend wanted to break up with him because he was "too busy." I literally tackled her, clinging to her leg. "You can't break up! Absolutely not!" She looked at me, confused. "Aren't you usually the queen of 'dump him'?" "This is different!" I mean, I had just accepted a $50,000 "reconciliation fee" from the guy. I had a job to do. 1 My best friend, Chloe, got a new boyfriend. A week ago, she said she wanted to introduce us. But every single time, he bailed with a different excuse. "Too much work." "Had to fly to London." "Emergency board meeting." "Surprise charity gala." I chewed on my iced latte straw. "Chloe, look. Even if he looks like a troll, I don't care. You gotta rip off the band-aid." Chloe rolled her eyes. "He's not ugly, Riley. He's just... busy." I scoffed. We’re all corporate slaves; how busy can one guy be? Canceling this many times with different excuses? I’ve never seen it. Unless he was hiding a second head, I couldn't figure it out. I sighed. "Fine. At least tell me his name?" She leaned in, whispering mysteriously. "Liam Sterling." My brain buffered for a second. "Which Liam Sterling?" "The second son of the Sterling family." I spit my latte back into the cup. Chloe looked disgusted. "The Sterling Group? Real estate moguls turned tech and finance overlords?!" She nodded like a bobblehead. No wonder. No wonder she’s been treating me to Michelin-star dinners and sporting new designer bags every week. She stopped taking Ubers and started getting picked up by private chauffeurs! I grabbed her hand dramatically. "Sister! When you make it to the top, don't forget the little people! When you marry into royalty, get me a job. Ideally, something that involves tasting imported snacks for six figures!" She patted her chest. "Don't worry, bestie. If I'm eating caviar, you're eating caviar." Suddenly, a hush fell over the restaurant. A man in a bespoke grey suit walked in, trailed by two assistants who looked sharper than my entire resume. Every eye in the room was glued to him. Not just because he was handsome, but because he radiated "I own this building." "He's here!" Chloe sat up straight, frantically fixing her hair. I squinted at this legendary trust-fund baby. Six-foot-two, broad shoulders, chiseled jawline. He wore gold-rimmed glasses that gave him a vibe that was equal parts "hot librarian" and "Wall Street shark." Okay, Chloe. I see you. "Apologies. Last-minute video conference." His voice was deep and smooth like expensive whiskey. He sat down, gave Chloe a melting smile, then turned to me. "You must be Riley. Chloe talks about you constantly." I was about to throw out a polite greeting when Liam made a subtle hand signal. An assistant immediately placed a pristine box with the LV logo in front of me. "A small gift for our first meeting," Liam said casually, as if he were handing me a pack of gum. My eyes widened. My hands trembled. As a corporate drone who spends 30% of her salary on rent, 30% on takeout, and the rest on just surviving, I had never even touched a Louis Vuitton box. "This... this is too much!" I stammered, waving my hands. Liam smiled faintly. "Chloe says you're her ride-or-die. It's necessary." I pinched my thigh under the table. At Chloe’s encouraging glare, I accepted the bag with trembling reverence. I peeked inside. It was the new season Capucines. Retail price? Around $7,000. I was shaking. Chloe kicked me under the table. Her eyes screamed: Be cool, Riley. Be cool! During dinner, I learned Liam was 28, a Harvard Business grad, and currently running the family’s investment arm. He didn't talk much, but he was elegant and polite. And he treated Chloe like a queen. Halfway through, Chloe went to the restroom. As her best friend/guardian, it was my duty to grill him. But his aura was too strong. I froze. The table fell into an awkward silence. Just as I was trying to come up with a topic, Liam spoke. "Ms. Riley, Chloe says you know her better than anyone." "Of course. We've been friends since high school. I know what she loves, what she hates, and her entire cycle schedule." Liam nodded thoughtfully. Then, he reached into his suit jacket, pulled out a black bank card, and slid it across the tablecloth. "There is $25,000 on this. The PIN is Chloe’s birthday." "W...what does this mean?" My throat went dry. "A greeting fee." Excuse me? Is this how billionaires make friends? I was terrified to touch it. Liam pushed up his glasses. "I heard Chloe’s last few relationships ended because you advised her to break up with them." He looked me in the eye. "I hope this time... you might change your strategy." It clicked. This wasn't a gift. It was a bribe! No, wait... a consulting fee! My morals and my logic fought a gladiator match in my brain. The fight lasted 0.1 seconds. Logic won. "Mr. Sterling, don't worry!" I snatched the card. "My specialty is conflict resolution. I am strictly anti-breakup. I wouldn't let a couple split even if the world was ending!" Liam nodded, satisfied. Just as I was pledging my allegiance, Chloe returned. "What are you guys talking about?" "Mr. Sterling was just asking what your favorite foods are. He wants to cook for you!" I lied without blinking. Chloe looked at Liam with starry eyes. "Really? You cook?" Liam didn't even flinch. "I'm learning." I don't remember the rest of the conversation. My soul was inside that bank card. After they left, I sprinted to the nearest ATM. The string of zeros on the screen made me dizzy. I almost kissed the machine. Back home, rolling around in bed with my LV bag, I got a text from Chloe. [Riley, what do you think of Liam? He seemed in such a rush today, he didn't even stay for dessert...] I immediately entered Wingwoman Mode. [Babe, a man focused on his career is so sexy! He runs a massive empire but still made time for you. That’s rare!] She replied: [But last time you said if a man loves you, he’s never too busy...] I started sweating. I checked my bank balance for courage. [This is different! Liam is clearly a high-value man who is serious about you. You need to be understanding!] Sending that text made my conscience prickle, but the $25,000 was a very effective painkiller. 2 For the next month, Chloe’s Instagram feed transformed. Private jets, yacht parties, Sotheby’s auctions... On my days off, I got to tag along for the "scraps"—afternoon tea and spa days. Bluefin tuna, French blue lobster, A5 Wagyu. Every bite cost more than my monthly rent. I wept while eating. Chloe rolled her eyes. "Have some dignity." This girl... she doesn't know the struggle of the hungry! But the fact that she dragged me along to share the wealth? I loved her even more. I vowed to protect this relationship with my life. Liam was busy. Insanely busy. One night, Chloe showed up at my door, crying mascara tears. "I'm breaking up with Liam!" she sobbed. I almost fell off the sofa. "What happened?!" "He doesn't love me!" She wiped her eyes. "He's always distracted on dates, his phone is always on silent, and he disappears at midnight..." I gulped, remembering the $50,000 "Retention Bonus" Liam wired me yesterday. I literally dove across the room and tackled her legs. "You cannot break up! No way!" Chloe was startled. "What are you doing? You always say 'dump him'!" "This is different!" I hugged her leg tight. "Liam loves you! Truly!" "How do you know?" She looked at me suspiciously. My brain spun at 100mph. "Because... because every time he sees me, he asks for advice on gifts! He has a whole notebook dedicated to you!" Chloe’s face softened. "Really?" "I swear on my life!" I mean, if she broke up with him, who was going to take me to eat Wagyu? Under my intense persuasion, Chloe agreed to talk it out. That night, another $20,000 hit my account. I was living the dream, riding my bestie's coattails. But good things don't last. My side hustle was exposed. Chloe sat at my kitchen table, face dark, slapping her phone down. It showed the transaction history. "Explain." Her voice could freeze water. My blood ran cold. She frowned. "What is this $50k for?" In a split second, I decided to come clean. I couldn't lie to Chloe; she knew me too well. I spilled everything. The bribe, the "consulting fees," everything. I even threw in some extra compliments about Liam's generosity. After hearing the whole story, Chloe looked at me with pure disappointment. "Riley! You sold me out for $50k?" Uh... was that the issue? She raised her voice. "Next time, tell him to add a zero!" ... Seeing she wasn't actually mad, I exhaled. But I had to ask. "So... to prove my loyalty, should I return the money?" She waved her hand dismissively. "What's given is yours. Keep it." 3 The next morning, Chloe dragged me out of bed at 8 AM. "It's Saturday, sis. Let me sleep." She smiled like a shark. "Sleep? Liam transferred me $200,000 yesterday. We are going shopping." I sprang up like a soldier. "Yes, Your Highness! I’m up!" Thirty minutes later, I stood in Hermès, touching a bag worth $10,000. My hands were shaking again. I used to debate adding a $1 topping to my bubble tea. Now I was debating "Elephant Grey" or "Gold"? Chloe sat on the velvet sofa, legs crossed, waving at the sales associate. "Wrap both. And throw in whatever 'quota' items I need to buy to qualify." I whispered, "What's a quota?" She grinned. "It means buying a bunch of overpriced junk just for the privilege of buying the bag." We walked out with three bags, twelve scarves, five pairs of sandals, and a porcelain tea set. Passing Louis Vuitton, Chloe pointed at a dress in the window. "Try that on." I pointed at myself. "Me?" The dress was $15,000. I put it on. Damn, money really does make you look better. Chloe nodded. "We'll take it." I grabbed her arm. "Chloe, my entire net worth is $75,000. I can't accept this!" She side-eyed me. "You're with me. Why would you spend your own money? What kind of best friend do you think I am?" I almost fell to my knees. "You are my only sister. My queen!" ... When Liam called to check in, we were at Chanel testing lipsticks. Chloe put him on speaker. "This one, this one... actually, give me the whole row." Silence on the other end. "...Where are you guys?" I shouted, "Helping you spend money!" Chloe added, "By the way, I saw a pink Rolls Royce that perfectly matches my manicure..." Beep. Beep. Beep. He hung up. Five minutes later, a bank notification: $300,000 received. I looked at Chloe with reverence. "Babe, is it okay to spend his money like this?" "Shh. It's fine." That night, at a Michelin three-star restaurant, Chloe frowned at the menu. "Truffle caviar? Foie gras? Ugh, so basic." I wiped drool from my mouth. I was about to say I’d eat anything. She slapped the menu shut and smiled at the waiter. "Do you have instant noodles? Spicy beef flavor." The waiter’s eye twitched. "Madam, this is a three-star establishment..." Chloe slapped her Black Amex on the table. "I'll pay extra." Ten minutes later, the Head Chef personally delivered a bowl of instant noodles cooked in bone broth, topped with shaved truffles and gold leaf. Price: $1,200. I slurped it. "Hmm... tastes better than the $1 cup version." Chloe agreed and ordered another. "One more. Kimchi flavor this time!" The other diners looked at us like we were lottery winners with zero class. Their eyes said: New money trash. But then they saw the Black Card and looked away. After dinner, we walked past a trendy bubble tea shop with a line wrapped around the block. Chloe squinted, made a call. Twenty minutes later, two bodyguards in suits appeared, handing us drinks. "Try it. Supposed to be viral," Chloe said. I took a sip. "...It's just sugar water with cream." Chloe nodded. "Blocked. Never buying again." That night, Chloe dragged me to a five-star hotel. "I have an apartment, you know," I said. "Oh, right. I bought you a condo. It's near your office. You stay here tonight; movers are packing your stuff." I slid to the floor and hugged her legs again. "I will serve you for the rest of my life." She lifted my chin like a villain. "Not bad looking. You can sleep in my bed tonight." "Yes, Your Majesty!" 4 Chloe bought me a 1,200-square-foot condo in the city center. I didn't dare ask the price. She moved in with me, and my quality of life skyrocketed. One day, she pulled me to get dressed. "Liam's company is hosting a charity gala tonight. The elite will be there." I touched the gown she picked out. Six figures. "If I rip this, do I have to sell a kidney?" "Please," she scoffed. "Tonight is your chance to snag a rich heir." The gala was blinding. Crystal chandeliers, champagne towers, people who looked like they were photoshopped in real life. Chloe linked arms with Liam, introducing me to CEOs as "My best friend, Riley." I stood there smiling like a mascot, wondering how I got here. Suddenly, the room shifted. A woman in a red haute couture gown walked in. "That's Vanessa," Chloe whispered. "Heiress to the Su Group. Liam's ex." I scanned her. Tall, stunning, hair perfectly waved. She radiated "Mean Girl Energy." She spotted Chloe and her eyes narrowed. Here she comes. "Liam, long time no see." Her voice was sweet, but her glare at Chloe was lethal. "And this is... the new flavor of the month?" Liam nodded curtly. Chloe extended a hand. "Hi." Vanessa ignored the hand completely. "Liam, I heard about your new project. My father is very interested." The air turned icy. Chloe’s hand hovered awkwardly. My time to shine. I waved my hand in front of Vanessa’s face. "Is Miss Su visually impaired?" She snapped her head toward me. "Excuse me?" "Oh, I just thought you were blind since you missed the hand right in front of you." I smiled innocently. "If you aren't blind, then you must just lack basic manners." Vanessa stunned. She wasn't used to people talking back. "Wow, your skin is great," I continued before she could speak. "What do you use?" She puffed up her chest. "La Prairie Platinum Rare. A full set is about fifty thousand." "Is it good?" I widened my eyes. "Chloe usually just uses actual caviar on her face. We haven't tried the drugstore stuff." Her face went from pale to red. She huffed and stormed off. I whispered to Chloe, "Weak." Chloe sighed. "I just didn't want to cause a scene for Liam. Otherwise, I would have ended her." During the auction, Vanessa targeted Chloe. Chloe bid on a diamond necklace. Vanessa raised the paddle. "$50,000." "$60,000." "$70,000." The price skyrocketed. I grabbed Chloe's arm. "Do we have money? I have my savings..." Chloe winked. "Watch this." She raised her paddle. "Two million." The room gasped. Vanessa gritted her teeth but put her paddle down. "Sold! To Ms. Chloe!" Chloe walked up to the stage. Passing Vanessa, she smiled. "Good game." Vanessa hissed, "Nouveau riche trash." On the way back to our seats, Chloe tossed the necklace into my lap. "For you." I almost dropped it. "What?! A two-million-dollar necklace? For me?!" Chloe pinched my cheek. "Yep." I held the diamonds. This is what it feels to be a sugar baby? I’m in. After the gala, Liam got stuck talking business. Chloe and I waited for the valet. Vanessa and her minions blocked us. "Listen, Chloe," Vanessa sneered. "Don't think just because Liam likes you that you belong here. The Sterling family will never accept a nobody like you." Chloe adjusted her gloves. "Vanessa, it's the 21st century. Arranged marriages are out." "Besides, if they won't accept me, do you think they'd accept you?" Vanessa snapped. "I have pedigree!" Chloe laughed. "Good luck with that." "You!" I stepped in front of Chloe. "Miss Su, your perfume is really strong. It smells like bug spray. Maybe switch brands?" In the car home, I asked, "Who is she exactly?" "Su Group's only daughter. Spoiled. Thinks Liam belongs to her," Chloe said, yawning. "Why did they break up?" "She was too controlling. Tried to decide what underwear he wore." Chloe shrugged. "Plus, her family is broke. They need the Sterling money." "So she's desperate?" "She's a clown." I hesitated. "Babe... not that I doubt Liam, but... will his family actually accept us?" Chloe hugged my arm. "It's just dating. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." I relaxed. As long as she didn't get hurt, we could just secure the bag and leave.
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