The Hell Money Gift
The room fell silent, until Leo muttered, loud enough for all to hear, I know shes struggling, butisnt this basically a death curse?
Blind with rage, I called my fiance, ended our engagement without letting her speak, and cut all business ties with her family.
Five years later, I stumbled upon a video Leo had posted, showing him and his wife with newborn twins. The caption pierced my heart:
I swapped the gift she sent my best friend just to be with her. Now shes given me these beautiful babies. Who says the nice guy finishes last!
Stunned, I forgot I was hikingand fell.
When I opened my eyes, I was back at my eighteenth birthday party.
Leos voice rang in my ear: Ben, your fiances gift is here. Come on, open it!
(1)
Candlelight flickered across my stunned face as everyone sang a heartfelt "Happy Birthday to you~."
But all I could hear was a deafening roar in my head, the phantom sensation of falling still clinging to me.
Just then, Leo Vance gave the gift box in his hands a little shake, a dark glint in his eyes. "Ben? What are you spacing out for?"
"The Thorne family is about to go bankrupt and they still sent you a gift? They're clearly trying to suck up to you. I heard they even mortgaged their family estate to cover company losses"
He hefted the box. "Tsk, tsk. Its so light. Dont tell me she sent you one of those cheap thirty-nine-ninety-nine snack boxes from Amazon to fool you."
His words made my hand, the one holding the plastic cake knife, tighten into a fist.
In my past life, this was the exact moment the Thorne familys financial crisis hit its peak, pushing them to the edge of ruin. Rumors that our families would call off the engagement were spreading like wildfire through our circle.
And my best friend, Leo, had been in my ear for weeks, poisoning my mind.
He'd spin tales of seeing Isabelle Thorne leaving a bar, drunk, with some potential male investor. He'd whisper that our engagement was just a business arrangement, and now that her family was failing, all she had left was a pretty face. He told me I should just break up with her.
Thats why, at a milestone as important as my eighteenth birthday, I let him coax me into opening that gift in front of everyone.
The memory of the rotten apple and hell notes flooded back.
Come on, Ben, open it! Leo urged, shoving the box closer when I didnt move. The excitement was practically radiating off him.
My brow furrowed. I couldn't just refuse him in a setting like this; it would reflect badly on both the Cole and Thorne families.
A cold sweat broke out on my back. I had no choice but to play along, my hands moving slowly toward the ribbon on the box.
But just then, I "lost my footing." I lurched forward uncontrollably, straight into the three-tiered cake.
In an instant, frosting and sponge flew everywhere, plastering Leo from head to toe. The gift box went flying, and I crashed to the floor, my wrist twisting beneath me on the hard marble. A sharp pain made me gasp.
The room, moments before filled with easy laughter, erupted into chaos.
Leo struggled to his feet amidst the sticky, sweet wreckage, wiping a hand across his forehead.
"Ah!" he shrieked, all thoughts of the gift forgotten as he stared at his fingers. "I'mI'm bleeding!"
I put on a mask of concern and rushed to his side. "Leo, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I swear I didn't do it on purpose"
But he was a messcovered in cream, his hair matted, a trickle of blood seeping from his temple. He glared at me, his eyes filled with raw hatred. "Ben you did that on purpose! You wanted to humiliate me in front of all these people!"
I let my own eyes well up, my voice trembling with disbelief.
"Leo, how can you say that? It's my birthday. I fell too! My wrist might be broken Is your head okay? I'll take you to the hospital right now."
Most of the guests tonight were from high society. Their gazes, now fixed on Leo, became critical and assessing.
His face cycled through shades of red and white.
"No, it's fine," he stammered, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace. "Ben, II was just talking nonsense, don't mind me. It just hurts a lot. I'll head to the hospital."
He scrambled to his feet and practically fled the scene.
Watching him go, a cold sneer finally touched my lips. His acting was so clumsy. How had I been so blind to it in my past life?
I really was a fool.
(2)
I still drove him to the hospital.
While he was getting stitched up, I replayed the events of my past life again.
After I broke off the engagement with Isabelle, I became the laughingstock of the entire city. The scandal was the final blow for the Thorne family; they officially declared bankruptcy. Mr. Thornes relationship with my parents shattered completely, and the fallout even caused our company's stock to plummet.
Later, when Isabelle clawed her way back into the upper echelons of society, our family became the butt of the joke all over again. The whispers were relentless: the Cole corporation was finished. During that time, several of our key partners pulled their contracts, citing the rumors as their reason.
I had suspected back then that Isabelle was orchestrating some kind of revenge. After all, wasn't that gift box a curse?
That's why learning the truththat it was all Leo's schemehad sent me into such a rage. I'd been so distracted on that hike, so lost in my anger, that Id fallen from the cliff.
I clenched my fists.
This time, I would not repeat my mistakes. And I would absolutely not let Leo succeed.
Steeling myself, I pretended nothing had changed and drove Leo back to his apartment building.
He was just an ordinary guy from a rundown complex on the east side. He should never have even crossed paths with people like us. But we were in the same class in high school, and during a school trip, I got hopelessly lost. He was the one who found me, and we huddled together for warmth all night waiting for rescue.
Out of gratitude, I made him my best friend. And through me he met Isabelle Thorne.
The thought of it was a fresh wave of betrayal.
In my last life, I treated him better than anyone. I gave him half of every luxury skincare product I bought. I brought him into my social circle. I even arranged better jobs for his parents.
And he repaid my kindness with poison. Not only did he swap the gift to humiliate me, but he also schemed and plotted until he had fathered twins with my fiance.
I bit my lip, tasting blood.
Just then, as if remembering something, he ran back and grabbed my arm. "Ben, I'm so sorry. I ruined your birthday, and you still had to take me to the hospital"
His voice was thick with guilt, but then his tone shifted.
"By the way, you still haven't opened Isabelle's gift, have you?"
"How about this? The day after tomorrow is the launch event for the new game from Thorne Industries. Let's go together! You can open it there and give her a big surprise. Let everyone see what she got for you."
"Aren't your parents looking for a way to prove that the Cole and Thorne families are still solid?"
A humorless smile touched my lips. He still hadn't given up on getting me to open that box.
"Leo," I said, my voice laced with feigned confusion, "why are you so obsessed with the gift Isabelle gave me?"
"Besides, it's just a gift. What's the difference if I open it at home later? Why wait for the launch event?"
"It's not the same at all!" he insisted, his voice cracking with urgency. "An eighteenth birthday gift is a huge deal! She's your fiance, Ben. Just listen to me. That gift will be something you'll remember for the rest of your life."
Remember for the rest of my life?
The image of that stack of hell notes flashed in my mind.
Yeah, that was pretty unforgettable.
"Alright, then," I said, pulling my arm away. My voice was flat, emotionless.
Satisfied, he turned and disappeared into the stairwell.
The moment he was gone, the last trace of warmth vanished from my eyes.
Leo, since you're so determined to make me relive that humiliation
Then don't blame me for preparing a 'return gift' of my own.
(3)
That night, I called my dad, ready to tell him everything about Leo.
But he cut me off, telling me that Isabelle had called. She wanted to come see me tomorrow to make up for my ruined birthday.
The next day, I waited at home until eight, but she never showed.
A knot of unease tightened in my stomach. Isabelle was compulsively punctual.
Worried something had happened, I grabbed my car keys and drove to her apartment building. As I pulled up, two familiar figures emerged from the main gate.
It was Isabelle and Leo.
Isabelle was a head shorter than him. He suddenly leaned in and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
And Isabelle, though she froze for a second, didn't push him away.
The two of them, looking so intimate, coming out of her apartment building together.
My fists clenched, my whole body trembling with rage.
So they had been hooking up all along. It wasn't just Leo's one-sided obsession.
I was the only one who had been kept in the dark.
I thought back to my past life. Isabelle and I had been engaged since we were children. It was a business arrangement, but I'd known since I was a boy that I was going to marry her. When I first started to understand romance, she was the one who would laugh and playfully tap my nose, telling me to focus on my studies. She was the one who tore up love letters other girls gave me, the one who sat me down at my desk every night and patiently explained calculus, telling me she was "cleansing my brain."
And now, she was sneaking around with my best friend behind my back.
A cold, bitter laugh escaped me.
To think, in my last life, I felt guilty for years, believing that my childish decision to break the engagement had bankrupted her family.
Isabelle Thorne. Leo Vance.
What did you two take me for?
I spun the car around and drove straight home. I hadn't even had a sip of water when a text from Isabelle lit up my phone.
[Ben, something blew up at the office today, that's why I couldn't make it to dinner. I'll take you on an overseas trip to make it up to you, I promise.]
[Did you like the gift I sent you yesterday?]
I had to admire her ability to lie without batting an eye. Kissing Leo one minute, then texting me about being stuck at work the next. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, they would have played me for a fool until there was nothing left.
I ignored the message, my eyes falling on the gift box sitting in the corner.
So, what had Isabelle originally sent me?
An idea struck me. I pulled up Leos account on a resale app. Id discovered it by accident a while back when I realized he was selling the rare figurines Id given him. He had no idea what they were worth, so he always listed them for dirt cheap.
And there it was. Last night, hed posted two new items: a single sapphire cufflink, and a limited-edition figurine Id been wanting for ages.
There was no way he could have afforded either of those things.
But this only made me frown deeper.
If Isabelle had truly moved on, why would she buy me such an expensive gift when her family was so desperate for cash?
(4)
Two days later, the launch event for Thorne Industries' new game, Path of the Wanderer, went ahead as scheduled.
I still hadn't found any more proof of their betrayal.
Today, nearly every media outlet in the city was present. Even the usually reserved Isabelle was there, dressed in a impeccably tailored suit, standing poised beside her parents.
As I walked into the venue, my gaze landed on her. At twenty, she was two years older than me, and undeniably a perfect match in terms of family background, ability, and looks. It was no wonder Leo was willing to grovel at my feet for a chance to get close to her.
I made my way to the side of the stage, intentionally leaving the gift box behind.
The medias instincts are sharp. My arrival sent a ripple of whispers through the crowd, and cameras started panning in my direction.
[Is that Ben Cole? I thought the two families were calling off the engagement. Whats he doing here?]
[He probably couldn't break it off privately. He's going to humiliate the Thorne family in front of everyone.]
[If thats true, the Cole family is ruthless. I heard the Thornes bet everything on this game. If they cant secure funding today, theyre really done for]
[Since when does emotion matter more than money in high society?]
On stage, the game demo ended to a round of applause. Isabelle's parents nudged her forward. Her eyes swept over the audience, meeting mine for a brief, unreadable moment before she began her presentation with practiced calm.
I stood in the shadows, watching the clean line of her profile.
"...with its rich content, this game offers one of the most innovative online experiences available today..."
When she finished, she bowed. As a fresh wave of applause broke out, she walked straight towards me. In an instant, every camera lens swiveled to follow her, and the world erupted in a sea of flashing lights.
I knew what they were hoping to capture.
A juicy, front-page headline: a high-society engagement imploding in public.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice low as she stopped in front of me. Her expression was as gentle as ever. "Is it because... I missed your birthday party?"
I looked up, a slow smile spreading across my face. "It's your first time hosting a product launch. How could I not come? Mom and Dad also asked me to convey their congratulations and support to Thorne Industries on their behalf."
I took a credit card from my jacket and held it up for the cameras.
"The Cole Corporation is very optimistic about the future of Path of the Wanderer. We are prepared to offer an initial investment of ten million dollars. All we ask in return is"
Before I could finish, a wave of murmurs, a mixture of surprise and disappointment, washed over the room.
[He's not here to break the engagement?]
[The Thorne family is in this state, and the Coles are still willing to throw money at them? Are they really that sentimental?]
[So much for the drama]
Public opinion was a fickle thing.
I kept the smile plastered on my face, about to state my terms.
But just then, Leo burst in, breathless, clutching a gift box.
"Ben! You're always so forgetful! Didn't you say you wanted to open your gift in front of everyone today? I went all the way back to get it for you!"
He raised his voice, turning to the press.
"For those of you who don't know, this is the eighteenth birthday gift Miss Thorne gave to our Ben! He treasures it so much, he hasn't even brought himself to open it yet. He said that no matter what state the Thorne family is in, he trusts in Miss Thorne's heart."
After his little speech, he shot a glance at Isabelle.
Isabelles brow furrowed in confusion.
The reporters immediately went into a frenzy, their lenses zeroing in on the box.
[He talks a big game, but he hasn't even unwrapped it?]
[I bet the investment is a sham. The Cole family is just using this launch event to build a benevolent public image.]
[Besides, what kind of gift could the Thorne family possibly afford right now? Of course he wouldn't want to open it.]
I let out a soft chuckle.
"Leo, I suppose I should thank you for going all the way home to get this for me?"
Leo, clearly not expecting this reaction, stumbled back a step. Isabelle instinctively reached out to steady him, their posture intimate. And in front of all these people, she didn't seem to have any intention of letting go.
A faint blush colored his ears. "Ben, I'm just looking out for you! This is a great chance to show everyone how much Isabelle cares for you, what an amazing eighteenth birthday gift she prepared."
I fought down the rage boiling in my gut, my eyes locked on him and Isabelle.
I remembered how, in my last life, after Id called off the engagement, she had no idea what had happened. She called me relentlessly, even waited outside my house, demanding to know why.
I once thought that meant she had feelings for me.
But looking at them now
A scornful smile twisted my lips. "Fine. As you wish!"
I placed the gift box on a table facing the cameras. This time, there was no hesitation. I tore off the ribbon and flipped open the lid
"No, impossible! How could it be that!"
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