I skipped dinner, using any excuse to get out of there.

Soon after, Jack's barrage of calls and texts made my phone buzz non-stop.

[Chris, where's this month's cash? You haven't sent it yet?]

[Either show up with the cash or send it now. Chop, chop, no dilly-dallying.]

[Make me look bad in front of everyone, and you'll regret it.]

I was dying to see what he'd try next.

So I blocked him.

Undeterred, Jack harassed the butler for the cash. But the butler, forewarned by me, ignored him completely.

Out of options, Jack was forced to scrape together every dime to settle his extravagant two-hundred-and-thirty-thousand-dollar tab.

Yeah, that was what the meal cost. To think, I used to fall for his lies, letting him milk me dry. What a fool I was.

After everyone left, Jack came at me, livid. "Chris, what's this about cutting off my funds? That money's mine. You have no right!"

"Better square up now, or else."

Looking at his familiar yet distasteful face, I felt a wave of disgust.

Who did he think he was, flaunting his ego like that in front of me?

I met his anger with ice-cold indifference. "From now on, you and your issues are none of my concern. Not another penny. Now, get out of my house."

Jack's voice softened briefly, trying a different tack. "Come on, Chris, don't do this. Just settle up and then send me another two hundred thousand dollars. Jane has got her eyes on a purse, and I gotta get it."

I laughed, incredulous. "How is that my problem?"

Seeing I wasn't budging, Jack's expression darkened again. "You're supposed to look out for me, Chris. We're like brothers."

"I'm a Smith, you're a Hayes. We're not brothers, not by a long shot."

Used to living large on my dime, Jack couldn't handle being put in his place and snapped.

"Chris, you promised to see me through college. You can't go back on your word now."

"That's my money, and if you don't pay up, I'm taking you to court."

I snorted. "Forget the fact it was just a promise. I've spent enough on you to support an army."

"Walk away now, and consider that cash gone. Push me, and you'll owe me every penny back."

"I'm not leaving!"

Jack dramatically threw himself to the floor, playing the victim. "I won't leave until you pay up."

Did he really think that would work?

Pathetic.

Eventually, I had to have my bodyguards throw him out.

He fumed and cursed outside until I unleashed the dogs, sending him running for the hills.

I was sure Jack Hayes wouldn't just roll over and play dead.

So, I spent a couple of days tallying up every dime I'd spent on him these last two years.

And man, was I floored—somewhere between four and five million dollars, not counting all the grub, gear, and wheels he'd sponged off me.

The next day at school, everyone's glances felt off as I walked by.

As soon as I stepped into class, there was Jack, surrounded by a mob, all giving me the stink eye. "Chris, pay up what you owe Jack. He's too decent to hassle you, but we won't be so gentle."

I looked at them like they were out of their minds.

Jack's sidekick, Will King, slammed the table, "I'm asking straight up. Are you paying today, or not?"

I gave Jack a nonchalant glance. "You've been telling them I owe you?"

Jack's eyes darted around, guilty. "Chris, come on, we go way back. Just square up, and we can forget the rest."

Will was bouncing like a spring. "No way, man! He's gotta pay you back everything, plus some!"

Jack shot me a hopeful look like he thought I'd back down.

But I wasn't about to make his day.

"I have no idea what Jack's told you, but I don't owe him a cent. Actually, it's the other way around."

A brief silence fell over the room, then it burst into laughter.

Will was holding his sides. "Chris, come off it! You think we don't know? You're just his chauffeur's kid. Since when do masters borrow from their servants? Hilarious!"

What tales had Jack been spinning about me?

Since when was I his chauffeur's son?

With everyone backing him, Jack couldn't have looked more pleased with himself.

I smirked slightly. "So, I owe Jack money? Prove it."

Will scoffed, "Jack's been decent enough not to make you sign anything because you're the chauffeur's son. That's how you've dodged it so far."

I laughed, full of scorn. "No promissory note, huh? What about a bank transfer? Show me one piece of evidence today, and I'll pay up every last dime."

Suddenly, all eyes were on Jack.

"Come on, Jack, pull it out! Let's see him squirm out of this one."

Jack just glared at me, face turning an angry shade of red, but still, he did nothing.

Because he had nothing to show!

I looked at him coldly. "Nothing to show, right? No worries, I've got something for you."

I distributed printed sheets with all the transactions to everyone present.

"You've all been duped. Jack's no high-roller. He's just a poor kid my family took pity on!"

Will stood up first to argue. "Bull! If he's so poor, how does he have all that cash?"