Chapter 3The Billionaire's Street Food Wedding

[See? What did I say? The second male lead is acting so well in front of the mistress, but he's still obsessed with Clara!] [Hehe, the face-slapping scene is coming!] [Why is this mistress haunting us? Hasn't she realized the guy is sick of her?] [So what if she realized? She can't leave him. She's still dreaming of marrying into wealth!] [Hey, are the second male lead's parents here?] [They're here! Over there!]

When Clara appeared in front of me and Julian, crowned by floating text, I wasn't surprised.

She, however, seemed shocked to see Julian at the banquet. "You don't have an invitation. How did you get in?"

[He snuck in, obviously! Coming to beg you to take him back. Clara, baby, reject him swiftly! Slap that scumbag in the face!]

"Who said we didn't—"

Julian started to explain, but Clara sighed and interrupted him. "Julian, what happened between us was years ago. Can you stop harassing me?"

"I don't want to make a scene."

Julian froze. "Huh?"

I rubbed my temples.

From the moment I saw Clara again in River City, I knew this trip wouldn't be peaceful.

But I didn't expect this.

Even though Julian and I were dressed impeccably, showing no signs of poverty, Clara still chose to believe the floating text, convinced he snuck in to beg for forgiveness.

"Hey, isn't that Julian Thorne? How did he get so run-down?" "Watch your mouth. Are you looking down on our 'True Love' Prince?"

A few smirking rich kids approached, winking at Julian.

"Regretting it? Want to eat crow?" "Too late. Our Clara won't look twice at a man who eats street food."

These people were all from Julian's old circle.

But since Julian broke the engagement and left the family, they had joined Clara's camp.

Their malice was palpable.

[Look at their faces! So ugly!] [Hahaha! Satisfying! Does the scumbag know he was wrong now? Thought love could pay the bills?] [Without the Thorne family name, who does he think he is? Not fit to carry Clara's shoes!]

"Julian? What are you doing here?"

Julian's parents appeared from the crowd, their faces dark. Their critical eyes stabbed me like needles.

"Why are you still hanging around this woman?"

The rich kids started chattering, saying Julian snuck in to beg Clara.

Clara lifted her chin arrogantly.

Julian's parents' expressions softened slightly. "At least you're not completely stupid!"

"Hurry up and apologize to Clara. Ask her to give you another chance!"

Clara smiled faintly. "Uncle, Auntie, don't be like that."

She glanced at Julian. "It's impossible for me and Julian now. I wish him and Ms. Miller a long and happy life together."

Mrs. Thorne glared at me with hatred. "What happy life? With a woman like this who can't be shown in public..."

"Mom!"

Julian couldn't take it anymore. "Can you give me some respect in public?"

"Maya is my girlfriend. We are very happy! She is not 'unpresentable'!"

"And thank you for your blessing, Miss Vance. I will definitely live a long, happy life with Maya."

Julian held my hand and looked coldly at Clara. "But you... I sincerely suggest you see a psychiatrist."

Clara's expression went blank for a second. "What?"

"Which eye saw me harassing you?"

"This is the second time you've rushed up to me saying these weird things. Our engagement is ancient history. I'm incredibly happy with my girlfriend. Can you please rein in your narcissism?"

[...Wait, the second male lead doesn't seem like he's acting.] [If he is, those words are brutal.] [Does he still love the mistress? But they're almost thirty. Poverty should have crushed their spirits by now.] [How dare he talk to Clara like that! AHHHHH!] [He played the role so hard he played himself? If he's not here to beg Clara, why did two poor people who eat street food try so hard to get into this banquet?] [It has to be for Clara and his parents!] [Hold on, guys upstairs. Why assume they are poor? Is eating street food a crime?] [Look closely at them. Their faces, their energy... they don't look defeated like in the original plot.] [Yeah, and those clothes... they look like bespoke couture, not rentals.] [? Are you guys crazy? Since when do scumbags and mistresses have fans?] [Clara, don't believe them. He's regretting it deep down! He's just trying to look like he has a backbone so you'll soften up.] [That must be it!] [Wow, the audacity. Breaking the engagement embarrassed Clara so much!]

Even the comments were sensing something was off.

But Clara, whether from overconfidence or inability to accept that Julian didn't regret leaving her, refused to believe him. Her embarrassment turned to ice.

"Julian, do you think saying this makes you look principled?"

"If you weren't harassing me, how did you know I'd be at this banquet? How did you appear in front of me so perfectly?"

"If your relationship is so great, you shouldn't have brought her here to see me."

Clara looked at him with pity. "We haven't been in the same world for a long time. Give up."