As I spoke, I took the lead and walked into the private room. But before I could fully step inside, Courtney suddenly shoved me from behind. When I turned around, she was glaring at me, her expression ice cold.

“Jordan, what did you mean by that just now?” she demanded.

Before I could answer, Bradley chimed in with a mocking grin. “Come on, Jordan, we’ve all been friends since childhood. You’re not seriously jealous, are you?”

One of Courtney’s friends laughed lightly, adding, “It’s not really his fault. He wasn’t raised in a big, influential family like us. He just doesn’t understand how we interact.”

Another voice echoed, laced with condescension, “It’s the class gap. Can’t blame him.”

They spoke with polite smiles, but every word dripped with superiority, treating me like an outsider—a lesser man unworthy of their world.

I didn’t bother responding to them. Instead, I turned to Courtney and, with a quiet calm, said, “It didn’t mean anything. Like you said, this is how your circle gets along. I don’t understand it, but I respect it.”

Courtney’s brows furrowed in frustration. “Jordan, we’re adults now. Can you stop causing trouble?”

I sighed, feeling a helplessness wash over me. “Alright, I won’t cause trouble anymore. I was wrong,” I replied, my voice soft with resignation.

It wasn’t that I was being a coward; it’s just that Courtney, in this state, couldn’t be reasoned with. She hadn’t always been like this. But ever since Bradley returned, she had become increasingly unreasonable, as if the person I once knew had slowly faded away.

Courtney’s expression softened slightly, as if she were doing me a favor. “Jordan, if I hadn’t brought you here, you’d probably never set foot in the The Light Vegas Club in your entire life.”

I sat down on the plush sofa, pretending to be genuinely curious. “Is it that expensive? I’ve made a bit of money over the years.”

Bradley, casually resting his hand on Courtney’s shoulder, looked at me with mock amusement. “Oh, it’s expensive, sure. But that’s not the point. You can’t just buy your way into the The Light Vegas Club. You need status—real status, like us.”

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “I’ve learned a lot today.”

Courtney’s eyes suddenly sharpened with realization, as if a question had just occurred to her. “Wait, how did you even get in here?”

Before I could respond, Bradley smirked and answered for me. “Do we really need to ask? He followed you in, of course. Probably dropped your name at the door to get past security.”

“Jordan is a role model in the world of gigolos, isn’t he?” someone quipped with a smirk.

Another chimed in, “Exactly. Most men who live off their women might get a bit of money, but Courtney? She’s given him status! It’s like a poor scholar catching the eye of a princess back in the day.”

“Oh, so Jordan’s a prince consort now?” The group burst into laughter, their mockery as cutting as it was casual.

Courtney glanced down at me, her tone dripping with condescension. “I’ve told you before, my world isn’t one you can fit into. If you keep following me, you’ll only get hurt.”

“You’re right,” I replied, smiling faintly.

In the past, a comment like that would have infuriated me, pushed me to prove myself. I would’ve fought to show Courtney and her circle that I could belong. But I had learned that no matter how much I tried, all I got in return was deeper ridicule, further disdain. These people carried a strange, almost delusional sense of superiority, as if they truly believed themselves to be royalty.

Courtney hadn’t always been this way. When we were still students, she had none of these airs. She was warm, grounded, without the arrogance that now seemed to seep into every word, every glance. But things had changed. She had changed.

And now? Now, I didn’t feel the urge to prove myself anymore. Not to her. Not to anyone in that room. Because as Courtney stood there, mocking me and allowing Bradley to flaunt their closeness in front of me, I realized something. I was tired.

Not just physically, but mentally—drained in a way that made everything feel distant, unreal. I still loved Courtney, that much I knew, but I didn’t want to love her anymore. It was as if I had been playing a game I used to enjoy, but exhaustion had finally set in. I was too worn out to care about winning or losing. I just wanted to put down the controller and walk away.

And that’s exactly how I felt now.

Once everyone settled in, they began ordering songs and singing, filling the room with lively energy. Soon, a wave of beautiful ladies and handsome men entered, each more glamorous than the last. The atmosphere turned electric as people skillfully picked their companions, laughter and chatter echoing around us.

Bradley leaned toward me with a teasing grin. “Dude, aren’t you going to choose a girl?”

I returned his smile, trying to keep the mood light. “I’ve been on a vegetarian diet lately—staying away from women.”

Courtney shot me a cold glance. “You’re free to choose if you want. I won’t stop you.”

I chose to remain silent, feeling the weight of her words. In truth, their private room was the lowest tier in the The Light Vegas Club, and the people here were the least significant in the grand hierarchy of the elite. As the conversation turned to their circle, they discussed rumors about a prominent figure in the Bailey Family set for a promotion and a member of the Roberts Family expected to become a provincial governor.

After a brief pause, Bradley turned to me again, his tone somewhat condescending. “Dude, do you even understand what we’re talking about?”

“I don’t,” I replied flatly, feeling increasingly out of place.

I simply shook my head. I had actually seen most of the people they were discussing at various social events, including the prominent figure from the Roberts Family, who once asked me to introduce him to someone of a higher standing. But sharing that seemed pointless, so I kept quiet.

Soon, they decided to play a game of truth or dare, and Courtney insisted that I join in. I wasn’t particularly good at these games, and it felt like the dice were always against me, causing me to lose more often than not.

With a hint of dissatisfaction, Courtney looked at me and said, “Why don’t you know anything?”

I smiled, trying to keep it light. “I don’t play much, so I guess I’m just out of practice.”

She sat across from me, cozy next to Bradley, looking like the perfect couple.

“Do you choose truth or dare?” Courtney asked, her tone challenging.

I pondered for a moment. “Truth or dare.”

To be honest, I found the whole game rather dull.

Bradley immediately asked, “Bradley, tell me the truth. Are you jealous when you see me and Courtney together again?”

I thought about it seriously and shook my head. “No.”

Their expressions shifted to one of contempt, including Courtney’s.

“Come on, everyone knows men get jealous, especially when they refuse to admit it.”

“Exactly! Jordan, it’s no secret that every time Courtney spends time with Bradley, you two end up arguing.”

“If you won’t be honest, what’s the point of this game?” They began to criticize me again.

I sighed in frustration. “I’m really not jealous. Believe it or not.”

Suddenly, Courtney slammed her hand on the table, pointing at me. “Jordan, what’s with your attitude? Is this how you talk to my friends?”

I smiled bitterly. “Okay, fine. I’m jealous.”

Let’s be honest: this game is boring. Even if I tell the truth, they won’t believe me. These people are so narrow-minded; they only accept what they think is right and disregard the actual truth.

Courtney, seemingly satisfied, said, “Continue.”

It was time for another round, and I didn’t lose this time since I knew the game’s rules. It was Courtney who ended up losing.

“I choose the big adventure,” she declared.

Bradley grinned, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Courtney, kiss the person you love most in your life.”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to me, their expressions filled with malice. Part of me wondered if I should play along, feigning a nervous reaction.

Courtney looked at me, hesitation crossing her face. But in that moment, her uncertainty revealed the answer.

I felt a pang of discomfort in my heart, but I tried to accept it.

Bradley pointed to his own face. “Come on, Courtney. I know you want to kiss me.”

Then, he turned to me, his look almost taunting.

Courtney looked at me, her silence speaking volumes as if she were seeking my approval. I decided to be generous. “Don’t keep Bradley waiting. Kiss him quickly.”

“Are you sick?” Courtney shot back, suddenly standing. “I love my mother the most. She isn’t here, so I’ll drink.” With that, she downed a glass of wine.

She glared at me fiercely, as if I were the one who had done something wrong. I was her boyfriend, seated opposite her, but her hesitation revealed my low status in her heart. So why direct her anger at me?

Bradley broke the tension, saying, “The boss of this The Light Vegas Club is a mysterious big shot, with connections and resources. Jordan, I’ll introduce you to him when the chance arises. Maybe he can help you with some decent business.”

Introduce me to myself? I nearly laughed out loud but managed to suppress it, nodding in thanks instead.

Courtney added coldly, “Jordan, while you may not fit into my circle, the connections and resources I have are still available to you.”

It seemed I had never used her family's resources in my business endeavors, but I was too tired to argue. They wouldn’t believe anything I said anyway.

Just then, a striking woman entered, clad in a black professional suit, her long hair framing her capable demeanor.

“Savannah?” Bradley said, rising quickly. “What brings you here?”

Savannah Powell nodded and smiled at him before walking straight to me. She bowed slightly and said, “Mr. Sanders, the property issue has been resolved, and the tax has been paid. You don’t need to worry anymore.”