Chapter 4The Billionaire's Budget Girlfriend

I picked up the bank card, stood up, and grabbed my suitcase.

Then I walked over the IOUs that were the last proof of my connection to Julian.

Julian looked dazed.

As my hand touched the doorknob, he woke up and blocked me.

"Lily, don't be mad. Arguments are like this, I didn't mean it..."

I turned the knob, walked out, and never looked back.

At the hotel front desk, I tried to pay with the card.

"Insufficient funds."

I apologized and paid with the $20,000 signing bonus from the overseas company.

In the room, I checked the bank statement.

The money was long gone.

Spent on couple's restaurants, couple's suites, luxury counters.

Julian never spent money on me. It was obvious who it was for.

Just then, HR messaged me:

Lily, if you're in a hurry, go find Mr. Sterling to sign it yourself tomorrow morning.

I replied: Okay.

I slept well.

The next morning, passing the HR department, I saw Julian's tall figure.

HR was busy processing Sarah's onboarding, flattering her:

"Miss Sarah, Mr. Sterling treats you so well! You two are perfect!"

Sarah looked smug, wearing a Vice President badge.

"Julian, making me VP straight away... will people say I got in through connections? I remember Lily was with you for seven years and only made Team Lead."

Julian brushed her hair behind her ear nonchalantly.

"You're my wife. Who dares to gossip? Or... do you not want to use my connections?"

They looked like a loving newlywed couple.

Since I ran into him, I might as well save a trip.

I handed the resignation letter to him.

"Mr. Sterling, please sign."

Julian's eyes lit up seeing me, taking it slowly.

Scanning the letter, he smiled disappointedly.

"Quitting? Pretending to have a backbone? Did you forget your grandma is sick? With your savings, you'll be starving in days!"

Sarah gloated.

"Yeah Lily, don't delay your grandma's care just to be stubborn."

HR added, confused:

"But... Mr. Sterling, Lily's grandma passed away. She took leave a while ago."

Julian froze. His fingers holding the letter trembled.

He looked at my calm face, suddenly guilty.

"Why... didn't you tell me?"

Seeing his shifty eyes, I remembered years ago. Julian chopping wood and cooking for grandma, his handsome face smudged with soot, grinning at me.

And grandma on her deathbed, holding my hand with tears:

"Baby, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have set you up with Julian..."

The pain still lingered. I said coldly:

"Mr. Sterling, do I need to report personal matters to you?"

Sarah frowned, about to scold me.

But Julian suddenly dragged me out of HR.

My wrist turned red from his grip, but I could feel him shaking.

I hissed in pain.

He let go abruptly, put the letter back in my hand, and showed rare weakness.

"Lily, don't be impulsive. Wait for me. Let's talk after work, okay?"

Just then, Sarah opened the door.

"Julian, Dad called. He needs you."

Julian turned immediately, looking like he was fleeing.

I shook my head. As I was leaving, Sarah blocked me with her foot.

"Lily, hurry up and clear out your office. I'm moving in."

VP office and Team Lead office were different.

I knew she was bullying me.

But whatever. I was leaving anyway. Time to pack.

As I was packing, there was a knock on the door.

An employee from an auction house held an exquisite box, smiling fawningly.

"You must be Mr. Sterling's partner. This is the bracelet he won at the auction. Please try it on!"

I stood still.

A breakup gift?

The others didn't hear, just saw the Bulgari logo and whispered:

"That's Bulgari! At least $20,000! No wonder Lily is quitting, she found a sugar daddy!"

Before I could speak, the employee took out the bracelet.

Just as he was about to clasp it on me...

"Lily! I know you're poor, but I didn't think you'd steal my bracelet using my name! I'm Julian's partner. You're too much!"

Sarah appeared out of nowhere, ripping the bracelet off my wrist, looking at me with disdain.

The employee panicked and apologized profusely.

Sarah waved it off, then gave me a fake smile:

"It's okay. Lily comes from a small background, hasn't seen good things. Getting greedy is understandable... but the company can't tolerate thieves."

I touched the red mark on my wrist where she ripped the bracelet, laughing at myself.

I knew Julian wouldn't be this generous to me.

The crowd urged Sarah to put it on.

"Miss Sarah, Mr. Sterling is so good to you! A wife-spoiling maniac!"

"Lily is shameless, impersonating you! Kick her out!"

I laughed, picked up my box to leave.

"Lily, what's going on?" Julian's voice.

Everyone jumped to defend Sarah:

"Mr. Sterling! Lily tried to steal Miss Sarah's bracelet! Look at it, worth tens of thousands. Call the police?"

"Yeah, a gold digger like her doesn't deserve to be here."

Sarah smiled, showing off the bracelet.

"Don't listen to them, Julian. I love the gift."

Julian's face went black.

I looked down, waiting for him to call me vain and greedy.

But he shouted at Sarah:

"Take it off!"