Seeing that I didn’t argue back, Jonas assumed he’d won. He snapped his fingers, drawing everyone’s attention, and flashed a grin.

“Well, today was just a little hiccup. I’ve been moving a lot of funds around, and the bank flagged it for review...”

Before he could finish, the room erupted with admiration:

“That’s what it means to be loaded. I don’t even know what a bank review is!”

“Of course! Jonas is a proper trust-fund heir. There’s so much we don’t know about his world.”

Soaking in the praise, Jonas couldn’t help the smug smile creeping onto his face. “But I’ll admit, it was my oversight today, and I made everyone come out here for nothing. So, I’ve decided to move Clara’s birthday celebration to my family’s estate!”

The classroom fell silent for a few seconds before bursting into an uproar of excitement:

“Did I hear that right? I’ve never been to an estate in my entire life!”

“Jonas is incredible! How are we even going to get there?”

“It’s my greatest fortune to have a classmate like him!”

Amid the sea of praise, Jonas turned to me with a cold expression. “You. Go make the arrangements.”

I didn’t move a muscle, meeting the expectant stares of the others. “Arrangements for what? Since when do you have an estate?”

My blunt response left Jonas stunned for a moment. But he quickly regained his composure and dragged me out of the classroom by the arm.

“Suzy Johnson, you better understand the situation here! Because of you, I was utterly humiliated today. The others almost thought I was broke! You must organize everything so everyone can head to the estate for Clara’s birthday. If you don’t, I’ll never speak to you again!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh no, you’re such an important person. What will I do if you stop talking to me? It’s like a bird losing its wings—I might just perish from the tragedy.”

Jonas’ expression twisted as he realized his threats weren’t working. He seemed to think I was jealous of Clara.

He clenched his fists, breathing heavily as if struggling with an internal battle. After what felt like forever, he finally made up his mind.

"If you cooperate with me on this, I’ll agree to be your boyfriend for a week."

I tried to keep a straight face, but a laugh escaped before I could stop it.

Just as I was about to reject him outright, an idea struck me. Rather than let him continue flaunting his fake image of wealth, why not expose him in his own backyard?

With that thought, I quickly stifled my laughter and nodded in agreement.

Jonas, seeing me accept, immediately returned to his usual aloof demeanor. "It’s just one week. Not a second longer. And don’t get any ideas about taking advantage of me."

He strode away, leaving me struggling to hold back my laughter, my shoulders trembling from the effort.

When I returned to the classroom, the whispers stopped, and all eyes turned toward me.

"So much for being tough earlier. Looks like she got put in her place by Jonas."

"A servant’s daughter daring to defy her boss? That’s a first. Jonas is way too kind."

My seatmate, Sharon Quinn, tugged nervously at my sleeve. "Suzy, are you okay? Don’t let what they’re saying get to you."

Clara, clearly irritated that someone was still willing to defend me, rolled her eyes at Sharon. "Birds of a feather flock together. You’re just a bunch of bottom-feeders sticking together."

Rather than get angry, I looked at Jonas and Clara with a pointed smile. "You’re absolutely right. Bottom-feeders do tend to find each other."

Jonas shot me a warning glare, his tone sharp. "Suzy Johnson, show some respect. Now call the driver to pick us up."

I glanced at Jonas’ arrogant expression and rolled my eyes before calling the driver.

Before long, a line of luxury cars pulled up at the school gate, each one flashier than the last.

The sight of luxury cars lined up like an extravagant auto show left my classmates wide-eyed with disbelief.

"Jonas, are all these your cars? I wouldn’t even dare to dream about something like this!"

Jonas curled his lips into a cool smirk, strolling to the first car. He opened the door with practiced elegance and gestured toward Clara with a gentlemanly flourish.

Clara, her smile dripping with self-satisfaction, placed her hand in his and climbed into the car. Before settling in, she glanced back at me with a smug roll of her eyes.

I watched the scene unfold with an amused expression, then stepped forward to open the door of another car.

But Jonas moved swiftly, blocking my way. "You’re not allowed to come with us.”

I stared at him in surprise as laughter erupted around us.

"Seeing Suzy get put in her place is more satisfying than an all-you-can-eat feast," someone joked.

"Serves her right for acting up earlier. Bet she didn’t see that coming."

I never would’ve imagined that Jonas could be this brazen.

From the car, Clara leaned out of the window, her voice sugary sweet. "Jonas, let’s go already!"

Jonas, looking pleased, responded warmly, "Of course."

Then, with a casual shove, he pushed me aside and began ushering the rest of the classmates into the cars.

I was sure Jonas would treasure this moment as a personal triumph, one he’d replay in his mind for years to come.

But as soon as he gave the order to leave, all the drivers turned to look at me instead.

"Ma’am, aren’t you getting in?" one of them asked politely.

Jonas’ confident smile faltered. "I said drive! Now!"

The drivers didn’t budge, their attention was still focused on me.

The whispers started up again among the classmates:

"Wow, Suzy must have some serious pull. Why are the drivers waiting on her?"

"You don’t get it, do you? She’s the butler’s daughter. One day, she’ll be a butler too. Of course, the drivers listen to her."

Ignoring their comments, I raised an eyebrow at Jonas.

He shot me a frosty glare, his jaw tightening.

Finally, through gritted teeth, he spat out two reluctant words:

"Get in."

A procession of luxury cars swept into the estate, the convoy looking like something straight out of a billionaire's daydream.

As soon as everyone stepped out and took in the sprawling courtyard, their jaws nearly hit the ground.

“This isn’t just an estate—are you telling me this is a palace?”

“Oh my God, I’ve peaked. I’m ready to be crowned king!”

Jonas stood at the grand entrance, his chin held high as he struck a dramatic pose. “Welcome, everyone. This is merely the smallest property in my family’s portfolio.”

He wasn’t entirely wrong—it was the smallest one.

This estate, nestled halfway up a mountainside, was designed as a summer retreat. With a cool breeze and the sound of a nearby stream, my parents often stayed here to escape the heat. That was why I’d chosen this place for today.

The estate’s architecture had a distinct palatial style, complete with a plaque above the massive front doors. Inscribed on it were two prominent words: Johnson Manor.

It didn’t take long for someone to notice the glaring detail. One of my classmates pointed at the plaque, her voice loud with confusion. “Jonas, why does the estate have Suzy Johnson’s last name on it?”

At her outburst, everyone looked up, murmuring in surprise.

Jonas shot me a murderous glare before awkwardly clearing his throat. “Well, you see… Suzy’s dad is my family’s butler. My parents are really kind-hearted, so they let her family stay here often. That’s why…”

His rambling explanation was absolute nonsense, but somehow, the crowd bought it, nodding as though it made perfect sense.

“Wow, your family is so generous, Jonas. No wonder Suzy acts so boldly.”

“If I were Jonas, I’d have fired that insolent butler’s family ages ago!”

I stood quietly at the front doors of my own home, watching these clueless fools gossip about me, the rightful owner.

The effort to suppress my laughter was almost physically painful.

Jonas hesitated at the entrance, clearly eager to go inside, but Clara wasn’t about to let this opportunity to humiliate me slip away. She clung to his arm, holding her head high like she owned the place, and strutted through the doors with the air of a hostess.

"Jonas, don’t you think it’s time we replaced the name on that plaque with a more fitting one?"

Jonas, caught up in the moment and clearly intoxicated by the attention, gazed at her with a dazed smile. "Maybe in a few days, it’ll bear my girlfriend’s name instead."

Clara giggled, playfully smacking his chest, her cheeks glowing with faux shyness. The classmates trailing behind them began chanting, "Get together! Get together!"

They followed Jonas and Clara up the steps, only to be stopped abruptly at the gate by a pair of security guards.

"Private residence. No unauthorized visitors allowed," one of the guards said firmly.

Jonas’ face went ashen, the blood draining from it as he turned to glare at me, disbelief etched on his features. "What kind of game are you playing now?"

I offered the guards a polite smile, my tone light. "Let them in. They’re all my friends."

The guards stepped aside immediately, and the crowd hesitated, their expressions shifting as they exchanged awkward glances.

Clara leaned in close to Jonas, whispering in his ear. I didn’t need to hear her to know what she was saying—something along the lines of telling him to put me in my place and remind me who the “real” owner was.

Jonas, ever the fool, nodded seriously and squeezed Clara’s hand in agreement.

Ignoring the curious stares from my classmates, I stepped past them and called out toward the front door, "Mom, Dad, I’m home!"

Jonas immediately grabbed my arm, his voice low and sharp. "Suzy, stop pulling these little stunts."

I yanked my arm free and raised my voice. "I only said I’d let you borrow the estate for the day. I never said I was giving it to you."

At my words, the classmates froze, their growing doubts about the true ownership of the estate now undeniable.

What I hadn’t expected, though, was that my parents, who always spent their summers here, would be out today. Despite calling out to them several times, I got no response, and Jonas’ tense expression gradually relaxed.

Feeling emboldened, he seemed determined to claim the estate as his own, especially after showing off in front of Clara. "Suzy, this is my last warning. Don’t make things worse for yourself!"

He hesitated, his arrogance faltering briefly before continuing, "Why would your parents be here? They’re probably… busy right now."

His vague explanation only fueled his classmates’ laughter.

"Look at her, yelling for her ‘parents’ like she forgot they work for Jonas’ family," one snickered.

"I’m officially crowning Suzy the queen of cringe. That performance was embarrassing."

"No wonder Jonas is so rich. Even the way he spoils his staff makes me jealous."

Instead of getting angry, I let out a laugh and looked at Jonas. "So, Jonas, they’re saying it, and you’re just going to roll with it? You’re really that eager to pretend this place belongs to you?"

Before Jonas could reply, the crowd, eager to silence me, shoved me roughly toward the door.

I stumbled, landing hard on the ground.

That was enough to break the carefully maintained politeness of the staff. The butler, who had been courteous until now, immediately dropped his polite demeanor, his face darkening.

Within moments, the security guards stationed outside stormed in, surrounding the classmates in an intimidating circle.