To test my fiancé Ethan Wilson, I always pretended to be an ordinary office worker. He firmly believed my best friend Noreen Fowler, who loved wearing designer brands, was the long-lost heiress of the Palmer Group. He constantly manipulated me. "Julissa, can't you learn from Noreen's confidence? Stop acting so cheap." Meanwhile, he secretly texted Noreen. "Babe, just hang in there. Once I secure the Palmer Group, I'll dump her." At the Palmer Group's anniversary gala, he thought his moment had arrived. In front of all the guests and media, he got down on one knee and aimed a diamond ring at Noreen. "Noreen, I know you've been using your friend's identity to test me, but I love your soul! Marry me, and let's run the Palmer Group together!"
To test my fiancé Ethan Wilson, I always pretended to be an ordinary office worker.
He firmly believed my best friend Noreen Fowler, who loved wearing designer brands, was the long-lost heiress of the Palmer Group.
He constantly manipulated me. "Julissa, can't you learn from Noreen's confidence? Stop acting so cheap."
Meanwhile, he secretly texted Noreen. "Babe, just hang in there. Once I secure the Palmer Group, I'll dump her."
At the Palmer Group's anniversary gala, he thought his moment had arrived.
In front of all the guests and media, he got down on one knee and aimed a diamond ring at Noreen. "Noreen, I know you've been using your friend's identity to test me, but I love your soul! Marry me, and let's run the Palmer Group together!"
...
To attend the Palmer Group's anniversary gala, Ethan took me shopping for a dress.
He skillfully avoided the luxury boutiques and dragged me into a fast-fashion discount store.
"Julissa, this one's nice." He picked up a chiffon dress with a price tag of $29.99.
I touched the rough fabric but said nothing.
"I know you don't like extravagance. This suits your style. Unlike Noreen, who's always flaunting designer stuff. So tacky." As he spoke, his eyes drifted to a mannequin in the opposite store window.
It wore the latest haute couture gown, the kind Noreen loved but he called tacky.
I gave a faint smile. "Really? I think Noreen looks good in anything."
Ethan's face stiffened for a moment before he threw an arm around my shoulders. "She's got a good foundation, but you're not bad either. Wear this, and you'll still steal the show."
He shoved the dress into my hands and nudged me toward the fitting room.
Just then, a perky voice interrupted. "Ethan, Julissa, what a coincidence!"
Noreen, dressed in a Chanel suit and carrying the latest Hermès bag, strutted over.
Ethan's eyes lit up instantly.
He let go of me and hurried to her. "Noreen, what are you doing here?"
"Shopping with a client." Noreen flicked her perfectly styled wavy hair, her gaze landing on the cheap dress in my hands. A flicker of disdain crossed her eyes. "Julissa, you're wearing that to the Palmer Group gala?"
Several nearby customers glanced over.
My cheeks flushed, but Ethan quickly smoothed things over. "Julissa's used to being frugal. Noreen, what do you think she should wear?"
While asking her, he unconsciously stepped closer to Noreen.
She sized me up and shook her head. "Julissa's vibe doesn't suit these. Want to borrow a dress I bought the other day? Never worn it."
Her words sounded kind but dripped with boastful pity.
I forced a smile. "No thanks. I like this one."
I took the $29.99 dress and headed to the fitting room.
In the mirror, I caught Ethan whispering to Noreen, his eyes full of adoration and flattery.
Noreen, meanwhile, carried herself like a queen.
When I came out, I paid for the dress.
Ethan looked surprised but mostly pleased. "Julissa, you're such a good girl. Not materialistic at all."
On the way home, his phone pinged.
He glanced at it and locked the screen quickly.
But I glimpsed the message. Noreen. "Ethan, you're so sweet to Julissa. I'm almost jealous..."
Back at our rented apartment, Ethan suddenly hugged me from behind. "Julissa, I've got this investment project with great returns. Just short on startup cash."
"How much?"
"Twenty thousand."
His eyes darted away, avoiding mine.
That twenty thousand was everything I saved over years of work.
He knew it.
"Didn't you say Noreen's family is loaded? Why not ask her?" I prodded.
Ethan's face flashed with irritation. "How could I use a woman's money? Julissa, I want to build our future with our own efforts! Once this project succeeds, we'll get a bigger place, okay?"
Same old lines.
I stayed quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. I'll transfer it tomorrow."
His face broke into a wide grin, and he kissed my forehead. "I knew you'd have my back!"
That night, he slept soundly while I lay awake, staring at the ceiling until dawn.
The next day, I sent him the twenty thousand.
When he got the transfer, he spun me around. "You're the best, babe! When I strike it rich, I'll buy you the biggest diamond ring!"
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