"This model is good enough!" he cut her off, lowering his head to examine the mobile phones. Suddenly, a voice called from behind, "Oh, Grace!"

Grace looked up and saw Mia Jenkins and another woman approaching. They were out shopping. As they drew closer, Grace recognized the other woman as Maria, a high school classmate.

"What a coincidence! Is that your boyfriend?" Mia asked, appraising Jay, who stood beside Grace.

When Grace didn't respond, Maria sneered, "Hey, Mia, don't spout nonsense. I heard Grace has a rich boyfriend. This guy doesn't look rich. What cheap clothes!"

That was horribly rude. Grace glanced at Jay, but his expression remained impassive. He seemed oblivious to her classmate's catty remarks.

Maria raised her eyebrows. "Oh! Feeling awkward? I forgot your boyfriend has a new girlfriend; they're getting engaged. The papers have been reporting on Sean and Lilly's engagement for days. They're a perfect match! By the way, does your new boyfriend know you're a sanitation worker?"

Sigh.

"Why did you say that?" Mia asked.

Mia wasn't stupid. She knew about privacy laws and that gossiping with Maria could jeopardize her job—if Grace reported it, if their superiors cared, and if they believed an ex-con.

"What I said is true! Didn't you say she works at the Sanitation Service Center?!" Maria retorted arrogantly.

Grace coldly ignored Maria, fearing further aggression. She wasn't angry for herself, but for the cruelty towards Jay. Mocking a man's clothes—how petty!

Turning away, Grace asked Jay, "Which model do you prefer?"

"This one," he replied, selecting a phone.

Grace paid, requesting a new unit for herself. "Go get a number," she instructed Jay.

"I'll do it tomorrow when I'm near the service provider," Jay replied.

They spoke as if alone, ignoring Mia and Maria. Mia remained calm, but Maria seethed. She was insulting Grace, yet felt humiliated.

Seeing Grace pay, Maria taunted, "What? Paying for the phone? Grace, are you supporting a gigolo? You don't earn much sweeping streets; that's why you're getting a cheap phone." She stared at Jay while speaking.

She found Jay attractive. Despite his slightly longer, shadowing hair, his perfect mouth, jawline, and dark eyes were undeniable.

"You don't have to be with her. Break up with her; I'll get you a better phone—any phone in this store," Maria offered.

Maria's family owned a small business. While not as wealthy as the city's elite, they were comfortably better off than most.

Jay stared at Maria, lips pursed. Emboldened, she continued, "What do you think? Break up with her, and we can be friends. I'll take you for a spin in my BMW and introduce you to people in film and television. With your looks, you'll be a star!" Her excitement grew; this was ultimate revenge—stealing him from Grace and watching him succeed.

"I'm not interested in being a star. And take care of your BMW," Jay replied casually.

Insulted, Maria snapped, "Do you know who I am? I can—"

"Oh? What can you do?" Jay asked coldly.

A chill ran down Maria's spine.

Jay ignored them. Grace and Jay left with their new phone.

Mia tugged at Maria. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine!" Maria lied, feeling threatened by Jay. His gaze suggested superiority, a capacity to crush her. She'd felt superior, and now…she'd made a mistake. But he was a loser, dating an ex-con and wearing cheap clothes! She dismissed the thought; he was beneath her. And Grace…was getting what she deserved.

Mia steered Maria towards more shopping and food. Later, in the car park, Maria received a text message. Simultaneously, a man in a black suit approached.

"Miss Martin? We've transferred $85,000 to your account, the depreciated value of your car. You've received it, I presume."

Maria was stunned; the text confirmed the transfer.

The man gestured; several men in suits began smashing her BMW with hammers.

Maria and Mia were shocked. Maria screamed, "What are you doing? Call the police! I'm reporting this!"

"Miss Martin, you received the money; the car's no longer yours. I'm authorized to destroy it!" he smiled.

"No! I didn't sell it! You can't do this!" They ignored her and continued until the BMW was wrecked.

"You…you…" Maria shivered, almost dropping her phone.

"If you wish to report this, please do. I have records of our transaction." He continued, "My boss dislikes your car. Miss Martin, please get a more aesthetically pleasing vehicle in the future, lest it suffers a similar fate."

They left. A crowd gathered. Maria saw Grace and Jay watching from a distance.

Rage consumed Maria. She'd just shown off her car; now, it was destroyed before their eyes.