Chapter 575 Who’s the Lucky Lady?
Right after the call, billions rolled straight into Tilda’s overseas account. Adding that to the cash she’d earned from her recent gigs, her net worth now sat at over seven billion. Even if she spent her days eating, drinking, and blowing cash on luxury for the rest of her life, she still wouldn’t run out.
“The rich life is way too easy. Honestly? It’s kinda dull.” Tilda rubbed her temples with a sigh. Now that she’d suddenly come into a lot of money, she was totally lost on what to do next. Having too much money almost felt like losing her sense of purpose. It was rough. If anyone else knew what was going through her head, they’d probably curse her out like that, “If you don’t want the money, hand it over to me!”
That was the gap between the broke and the loaded.
Tilda shot a text to Una. “Una, about that thing I mentioned–have you decided yet?”
“Ugh… no way, Tilda. That banquet is way too high-class for me. Hanging out with top scientists? Torture! I’d rather drop dead. I’m just a dumb girl!”
Back in high school, Una was the top SAT scorer in Slosa and got into Orica University. Aside from her teasing brothers, everyone thought she was a genius. Her IQ was around 160, while the average was maybe 90 to 110. She earned the “genius girl” title fair and square. Before meeting Tilda, Una thought she was smart. But compared to someone like Tilda–a whole different level of human, practically a freak of nature–Una didn’t stand a chance.
Una felt crushed when she compared herself. Her drive was gone, and the thought of stepping into that fancy banquet scared her stiff. She imagined herself sitting there, clueless, while everyone else talked circles around her. Best case, they’d ignore her. Worst case, they’d laugh. Honestly, even breathing in that kind of place would feel suffocating. Why torture herself like that?
“If you’re not up for it, that’s fine. I won’t force you. Just don’t blame me later for not giving you the chance.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. You always look out for me. Honestly, just getting the invite makes me feel special. Oh, Tilda–one favor! Could you snag Professor Kerrigan’s autograph for me? He created Cetherland’s first lithography machine. I want to frame it for life!”
“You’re way too dramatic. I already got Dane’s signature. I’ll pass it to you when I swing by Slosa.”
“Hehe, I knew you’d come through. Love you! Mwah!”
After her chat with Una, Tilda pinged Jude. “Jude, you saw the invitation, right? I know the organizers wanted you there. I even wrote it out myself.”
“I noticed. Your handwriting seriously made my day.”
Thanks to Tilda, Jude had totally embraced emojis. The old, cold CEO who only ever used a plain smiley was long gone. If anything, he might’ve overdone it now.
Tilda typed, “I heard your buddies‘ families got invites too. You guys showing up together?”
“Alfie and Maurice are coming. But Tilda, since it’s me you’re texting, can we skip the part where you bring up other men?”
Even through the phone, Tilda could feel his jealousy.
“Jude, they’re your friends!”
“Not anymore. To me, they’re just other guys.”
Achoo-
At Nightingale Bar, Alfie and Maurice sneezed in sync.
Maurice rubbed his nose. “Man, which beauty is gossiping about me right now? Also, what’s with Jude these days? He’s turning into a hermit. We can’t even drag him out for a drink. Seeing him is rarer than hitting the jackpot!”
Alfie casually spun a plastic ring on his finger and said, “He’s taken now. He doesn’t have the freedom he used to. He’s tied down.”
Maurice rolled his eyes. “Hold on. Weren’t you all about diamonds before? Now you’re obsessed with some cheap plastic ring from a street stall? You’ve been messing with it all night. Spill–what’s up with that?”
“You wouldn’t get it, Mr. Forever Single.”
Maurice’s jaw dropped. No way! Did this guy also land a girlfriend? That’ll leave me as the only single one left!
“So who’s the lucky lady? Don’t tell me you’re just fooling around. If that’s the case, it doesn’t count. I’ve got plenty of those! Don’t call me single!” Maurice flipped Alfie the bird.