From Broke Boyfriend to Billionaire Revenge

“Stop right there!”

Lily grabbed my arm. “We’re settling this today. Where did you get the money? Did you take out some kind of loan?”

Her face was full of urgency.

I understood. She wasn’t worried about me; she was worried any debt would drag her down later.

“Relax. I didn’t borrow it.”

“Then where did it come from?”

I looked at her, pausing on purpose. “I won the lottery.”

Both Lily and Marcus froze.

“How much?” Lily’s voice trembled.

I raised a finger.

“A hundred thousand?” Marcus blurted.

I shook my head.

“A million?!” Lily’s eyes practically burned.

I shook my head again.

Looking at the greed on her face, I said slowly, “After taxes… twenty million.”

The air went still.

Lily and Marcus stared at me, stunned.

[ Ding! Received Shock Value from Lily Foster… ]

[ System Notice: Shock, envy, and jealousy do not generate cashback. Only pure malice, resentment, and hatred qualify. ]

I see.

That clicked into place.

“T-twenty… million?” Lily’s voice came out dry, like it was forced through her throat.

Her expression shifted from shock, to wild excitement, to naked greed.

“This is amazing! We’re rich! We’re finally rich!”

She was so excited she could barely form a sentence.

“Man, Aaron, that’s insane!”

Marcus snapped out of it and lunged forward, trying to pull me into a hug. I stepped back, dodging him with clear disgust.

“I knew it! My brother-in-law’s destined for greatness. It was only a matter of time before you made it big!”

The flattery was so shameless it was almost impressive.

“Aaron, quick, where’s your card? Give it to me!” Lily reached straight into my pockets.

“We need to plan this money properly! First, we’ll get that luxury condo downtown, then upgrade my car—and oh, my parents too, we should get them a better place…”

She was already lost in her own fantasy.

I looked at her coldly.

“You’re getting ahead of yourself.”

My voice wasn’t loud, but it landed like a bucket of cold water, instantly killing her excitement.

“What?”

“I said, you’re getting ahead of yourself.”

I repeated it, word by word. “This money has nothing to do with you.”

The smile froze on Lily’s face.

“Aaron, what do you mean? Don’t forget, we’re together! Your money is my money!”

“Is it?”

I pulled my arm out of her grip. “When my mom needed $20,000 to save her life, what did you say? Financial independence?”

“That… that was different,” she stammered, avoiding my eyes. “I was tight on money back then…”

“Tight enough to pay for a Ferrari in full?”

“I told you, that was an investment!”

I nodded. “Then so is this. I’m investing in my mom’s health and in my own future. It has nothing to do with you.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I turned and walked straight toward the elevator.

Behind me, Lily’s furious scream rang out.

“Aaron! You ungrateful bastard! Get back here!”

[ Ding! Received 1,000 Malice Points from Lily Foster. Cashback of $100,000 has been credited. ]

[ Ding! Received 600 Malice Points from Marcus Foster. Cashback of $60,000 has been credited. ]

The pleasant chime of the system echoed in my head as I pressed the elevator’s close button.

The doors slid shut slowly, sealing off her twisted, furious expression.