Chapter 450

Julian Valdemar stared at his phone screen, fingers trembling slightly as the insufficient balance notification glared back at him.

He had grown up in luxury, never once worrying about money.

Now he couldn't even afford a 200-dollar cab fare.

The scanner emitted a sharp, mocking beep—payment declined.

The driver's puzzled gaze met his through the rearview mirror.

Julian swallowed hard, cheeks burning with humiliation.

"Just a moment."

His grip on the phone turned his knuckles white.

Last month when rent was due, all his so-called friends had made excuses.

In the end, Jasmine Keane had quietly covered it for him.

The stern face of Adrian Valdemar flashed in his mind, instantly extinguishing any thought of asking for help.

Alexander was out of the question.

To escape the arranged marriage with the Sinclair heiress, he'd vowed to live independently for a year.

Scrolling through his contacts, only Jasmine's name remained.

"Jasmine, can you transfer me two hundred?"

The crisp click of high heels echoed through the phone.

Jasmine stood outside a boutique, admiring a limited-edition handbag in the display window.

A cold smile curled her lips.

This fool was actually begging for pocket change?

"Julian, you should go home..."

Her voice trembled with fake concern while her fingers glided over a new lipstick shade.

Sweat beaded on Julian's forehead.

"Just send the money first, okay?"

He'd given her his entire paycheck last month, then spent his savings on a gift for the Patriarch today.

The line went dead.

Redialing only produced a busy signal.

Julian froze as his phone screen darkened.

The driver sighed.

"Young man, should I call the police for you?"

Julian's head snapped up, meeting the driver's pitying stare.

Here he sat in a tailored suit—the biggest joke of all.