Chapter 1

In Simon Turner's heart, I was merely a girlfriend in name.

In reality, I was just a lower version of Cecilia Bell, Simon's dream girl, to put it in another manner, I am her stand-in.

After all, she was a noble female celebrity with the adoration of many. And I came from a humble background.

Simon spent three hundred thousand US dollars and bought my self-esteem.

The day Cecilia returned to her home country, she was on trending.

Simon went to the airport to pick her up for the party, and before leaving, he casually said to me, "I won't be home for dinner tonight." But after only an hour of studying, he called again. "There's a bottle of rare wine in the wine cabinet. Find it and bring it to the restaurant."

Disrupted in my study mode, I sighed, hung up the phone, and still went to the cabinet to find that bottle of wine.

I drove to the restaurant and delivered it. The private room in the restaurant had excellent privacy, with bright lights and an extravagant atmosphere.

In the center were Cecilia and Simon, like stars surrounded by a moon.

She wore a shimmering silver dress and leaned slightly towards Simon, displaying an affectionate posture. Everyone was teasing, "Cecilia, you finally came back. You have no idea how long Simon has been waiting for you."

I approached and stood in front of Simon. "According to the label, I found the wine you wanted, so it should be correct."

The previously harmonious atmosphere momentarily froze upon my arrival. I put down the wine bottle and turned to leave.

Cecilia spoke lightly from behind, "Stop."

"Come here and open the wine, pour it for us. "

I turned my head, looking at Simon unconsciously. He wore a shirt with two buttons undone, leaning back in his chair, and looked at me with a faint gaze.

"You heard what she said?" Simon asked.

"Yes," I lowered my eyes, "I'll go out and find someone to get a bottle opener."

As I left, Cecilia questioned from behind, "Is this the kind of person you are into now?"

Simon remained silent. His friends defended him, "Don't be angry, Cecilia. Simon's heart belongs to you only."

"Yeah, it's not Simon's fault either. She has been pestering him endlessly and he can't get rid of her."

The wine was poured, but Cecilia still wouldn't let me go.

She was holding a grudge and asked me with a smile, "Which university did you graduate from?"

"Stanford."

"Such a famous school, didn't it teach you self-respect and restraint?"

Her face grew cold, and suddenly she raised her hand and poured most of her soup on my chest.

"You shamelessly cling to Simon, how despicable! Do you really want to climb up the social ladder like that?"

The liquid soaked through my clothes, leaving a burning sensation on the surface of my skin.

Simon held Cecilia's hand, gently soothing her, without even glancing at me.

"I ordered the pink diamond necklace you like, so don't be mad at me anymore, okay?"

A friend came along with various drinks mixed and pushed a full glass in front of me, saying, "Drink it, consider it an apology to Cecilia."

Another person grumbled, "She didn't deserve this expensive wine."

In Simon's circle of friends, Cecilia was everyone's unrequited love.

And because of that, no one respected me, and they found ways to tease and torment me.

Simon never intervened.

Moreover, this time, it was happening right in front of Cecilia.

I picked up the murky drink and downed it in one gulp.

The strong burning sensation from the alcohol spread from my throat to my stomach.

Tears welled up instantly.

I bent over, unable to hold back and retched against the table.

"Alright, don't ruin our appetite, just get out."

Simon casually picked up a bottle opener and threw it at me.

He didn't control his strength well, and it hit my forehead. After a sharp pain, blood streamed down my face.

He paused for a moment, instinctively took a step towards me.

I covered my forehead, bowed, and hurriedly ran out.