Chapter 4

Before leaving, Chloe mocked me with a look that said 'I knew it': "Summer, you really are pathetic."

As soon as they left, the manager’s bowed back snapped straight.

Poking a finger in my face, he barked, "Look at your damn attitude! If you don't want the job, pack your shit and leave! Can't even work a counter properly. A grad student from NYU? Total waste of time. Getting a degree did nothing for you."

The manager had a massive chip on his shoulder regarding higher education. Ever since he found out I was a grad student, he had looked down on me, constantly preaching that degrees were worthless and that going to school was pointless compared to working in a factory.

I rolled my eyes internally. Did he think his barely-there high school diploma was worth a fortune?

If this shop hadn't been right next to campus, I wouldn't have bothered taking a part-time job here.

As he kept scolding me, he docked my pay. "Half of your paycheck this month is gone. And you're paying for that cake out of pocket."

After busting my ass all day, not only did I lose half my pay, but I also got chewed out.

There truly wasn't an unluckier person in the world than me.

And of course, the bad luck didn't stop there.

Logan called again, commanding me to come over tonight.

Logan was the quintessential trust-fund playboy. His family had billions. Since graduating college years ago, he had never worked a single day in his life, spending every waking hour partying, drinking, and chasing girls.

He was an only child. Though his parents were constantly frustrated by his antics, he was still the sole heir to the empire, so as long as he didn't cross major legal lines, they turned a blind eye.

When I arrived at the upscale lounge he mentioned, their party was already halfway through.

Chloe was wearing a revealing dress, draped seductively over Logan's shoulder. Seeing me enter, she let out a petty scoff.

The VIP table was littered with empty liquor bottles, cards, and cigarette butts in utter chaos.

Resting among the mess were the two mango mousse cakes Chloe had taken from the shop earlier.

Logan lifted his heavy eyelids, threw a cold glance my way, and sneered, "Can't even summon you on time anymore? I told you ten o'clock. Do you have any idea what time it is?"

Did he really think everyone was an unemployed parasite like him? I was a student with a thesis to write and a job to work.

I kept my head down and answered meekly, "The bakery was really busy today..."

Logan grew even more impatient. "Who gives a damn about a shitty bakery job! You think some minimum-wage shift is more important than me?"

I stayed silent. Logan slammed his glass onto the marble table with a loud "crack".

The noise startled the entire lounge.

Chloe caught his arm, quickly soothing him, "Oh, don't be mad, Logan. She isn't worth ruining your mood over."

Hearing that, Logan shot her a freezing, piercing glare.

Chloe’s smile nearly froze off her face. "W-what is it, Logan?"

Logan turned away, sliding back into his usual lazy, uncaring demeanor. "Nothing. You're right. Someone like her isn't worth the energy."

He dragged out the last sentence intentionally.

Chloe giggled coquettishly and tapped his chest with a playful fist.

Then, she threw me a mocking smirk. "Since Miss Summer arrived so late, she should drink three penalty shots first."