Now that I had a second chance at life, I would stay away from Jonathan. I wanted to keep my father, William Stoneridge, and the company safe. I also wanted to make Jonathan and Henrietta pay for what they did to me.
First, I wanted to see how Jonathan would survive without my money. I expected him to come to me but didn’t expect it to happen so soon. The day after the donation incident, he stopped me from entering the classroom.
I sidestepped him to head inside, but he stretched out an arm to stop me. He frowned and asked, “Where’s my breakfast, Thalia?”
“What breakfast?” I raised an eyebrow. “I’m not into running errands for others.”
Jonathan stiffened. He asked in displeasure, “What’s your game this time? Do you think you can catch my attention by refusing to donate and not bringing me breakfast?”
I pushed his arm away with a finger. “Why are you standing in my way, then? It seems more to me that you’re trying to catch my attention.”
He retracted his arm, his expression turning hideous.
I wondered whether he realized how hypocritical he was. He’d never stopped taking my money, yet he hated me for throwing it at him.
Whenever I transferred money to him, he berated and insulted me upon receiving it. He warned me not to harbor any ridiculous fantasies about him, but he didn’t say anything about not taking the money. He also never talked about returning it to me. He was so matter-of-fact about it that it was as if I owed it to him.
His so-called friends were just like him. They looked down on me because they thought I was showing off my wealth, yet they only gathered around Jonathan because of the money I’d given him.
Jonathan thought they were genuine in befriending him, but they were just in it for the money. I’d never met bigger hypocrites in my life.
Jonathan returned empty-handed to his seat. His buddies circled him and asked, “What’s on the menu today, Jonathan?”
He glanced at me without saying anything. In my past life, I would buy various items for his breakfast. He would pick one before distributing the rest to his buddies. It was too bad they were destined for disappointment this time.
Someone slammed a desk when they saw that there wasn’t any food. He snapped, “It’s one thing for you not to donate to Jonathan, Thalia. How could you not have brought him breakfast, too? How can you be so selfish?”
I wasn’t happy to have these people ruin my mood so early in the morning, so I snapped impatiently, “What? Don’t tell me you expect me to continue providing for you like you’re my children. Call me ‘Mom,’ then. Do it, and I’ll consider it!”
The guy’s face turned red with rage, but he didn’t back down. “It’s just breakfast. You have plenty of money anyway. Don’t tell me you can’t bear to part with such a small amount!”
I scanned him thoughtfully before clicking my tongue. “You know what? You really look like a beggar when you’re asking me for food.”
Jonathan had been silent this whole time. He finally couldn’t take it anymore and snarled, “That’s enough! I’ll get the scholarship, so I no longer need your charity!”
I looked at him. This was my first time hearing him say something with such backbone. I couldn’t help laughing.
His expression turned ugly. “Why are you laughing? Do you think I can’t do it?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I wish you all the best and look forward to you proving me wrong,” I said breezily. If he could get the scholarship, why hadn’t he done it in the past?
