A Lavish Showdown

"Sylvia, what exactly are you trying to do? I like Liana. So what? I'm still going to marry you!"

He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me like he could shake sense into me, but looking at his face made my stomach turn. I spat out, "Who told you you're even worthy of marrying me?"

Lawrence's eyes went wide with shock.

"I saved your life! Without me, you'd be dead! Of course, you owe me this marriage. I admit I've been a little reckless lately, but once we're married, I'll treat you right."

I opened my mouth to reply, but before a word came out, Liana came running. Seeing Lawrence holding me by the shoulders, she burst into tears.

"Lawrence, you two…"

Lawrence panicked and released me, pulling Liana into his arms.

"I was just teaching this rude servant a lesson. Liana, today I've not only booked your favorite top celebrity, but I'm also renting the entire luxury hotel for you. Crying your makeup off now would be a shame."

She froze for a moment, then screamed in pure delight. "Oh my God, Lawrence, that's insane! You're so rich!"

Her scream drew a crowd of curious classmates.

"No way. A top celebrity? That must cost a fortune!"

"Is it the priciest hotel downtown? I've never even dreamed of this. What's going on? Why is Lawrence throwing a party again?"

Liana stood among them, cheeks flushed with happiness. "Lawrence, today is our first anniversary, right?"

Lawrence looked at the shy, blushing Liana, practically drooling. "Liana, I remember every single moment with you. This is my way of making our time together feel special."

Then, he spun toward me and shot me a glare that could freeze fire.

"Stop standing there. Go get my card replaced immediately. If Liana's mood is ruined because of a delayed payment, you'll regret it."

I couldn't hold it in and laughed. "Regret what? Waiting for you to kneel in front of me, begging me to pay?"

The classmates, shocked I still had the nerve to argue, yanked me down to the floor.

"Sylvia, there's a limit to showing off. If it weren't for Lawrence's mercy, you wouldn't even be standing here!"

"I swear, Sylvia, don't mistake someone's kindness for weakness. Lawrence is the son of a billionaire. He would never ask you for money!"

"Exactly! So what if his card's broken? Lawrence could pay millions with just a face scan. He's a big deal around here. Who doesn't know him?"

Hearing the praise, Lawrence struggled to keep his smug grin in check. "Alright, I like to keep things low-key. Stop flattering me. Sylvia, go arrange it."

I had wanted to refuse, to let him embarrass himself in front of everyone, but seeing Lawrence basking in the adoration, another idea struck me.

"Arrange the whole hotel for you and Liana, hire the top celebrity, right? Perfect. But Lawrence… Do you actually have the money?"

He glared at me like I'd insulted him. "How could I not have money? Get moving. Stop being in my way!"

With his approval, I immediately called the hotel in front of everyone.

The manager hesitated when I requested to clear out all the guests. "Ms. Young, if you want the entire hotel for a day, what about the guests already checked in?"

I glanced at Lawrence and smiled.

"Mr. Lawrence Carter insists the hotel be cleared today. He's celebrating an anniversary with Liana. As for the other guests, handle it however you like. Lawrence has more than enough money. Just give them compensation if needed."

Seeing a sure-paying client, the manager no longer hesitated and agreed.

After listening to what I said, the classmates looked at Lawrence with newfound awe.

"That's insane. Kicking everyone out just for an anniversary. Lawrence, you really are powerful."

"That must cost a fortune! Lawrence, what exactly does your family do?"

Lawrence smirked, basking in the praise. "You don't need to know. Our family's the richest in the city, and privacy is everything to us."

The words "richest family" sent the classmates buzzing like flies.

…

Meanwhile, I texted the hotel manager, 'Just relaying a request for my classmate. I won't pay for it.'

The Heiress Strikes Back

The hotel manager instantly texted back with an "ok." I finally relaxed and, with a spark of amusement, turned to watch Lawrence still basking in the praise of his audience.

He was glowing with smug satisfaction, but the moment he noticed my gaze, his brows furrowed in disdain.

"Stop staring. Arrange the cars. You've been getting dumber lately. Do I really have to teach you this too?"

His sarcasm drew immediate laughter from the crowd.

I stepped forward calmly, raising my right hand toward him. "Sure, we can get the cars, but first… pay up."

Lawrence's expression darkened instantly as he stared at me. "I said to use the family cars. Do I have to pay for this too?"

I fought hard to keep from laughing at his stinginess.

"Lawrence, calling your own cars is free, but unfortunately, your family only has one old clunker. It can't fit this many people. If we're using my family's cars, of course, there's a cost."

Liana's eyes went wide in shock when she heard that.

"Sylvia, what's gotten into you today? Why do you keep provoking your own employer like this? Lawrence, you should just fire this annoying maid. Keeping someone like her around only makes your life miserable!"

Lawrence clenched his fists at her words, his anger barely contained. "What are you even talking about? Just go rent the best cars at the dealership! I'm loaded!"

Seeing how furious he was, I masked my smile, keeping my composure as I addressed the crowd. "Everyone, today Lawrence isn't just treating all of you to a meal, but he's also arranging the best rides for you!"

The crowd cheered at my tact, and I pulled out my phone to call a friend's car rental service.

"Mr. Lawrence Carter from our school wants to rent twenty of the priciest cars for his outing. They'd better be ready at the school gate!"

Lawrence's lips curled slightly. He was clearly pleased with my arrangement. "With a bootlicker like Sylvia, you can't give her an inch. Always trying to get attention by defying her employer. Pathetic."

I smiled back, unfazed by his mockery. "Mr. Carter, the rental company requires payment upfront. Do you have enough cash on hand?"

Lawrence, thinking I was flattering him indirectly as usual, replied lightly, "When have I ever been short on money?"

He glanced at the luxury watch he had stolen from my father and raised an eyebrow. "Time's almost right. Liana's favorite celebrity will be there soon. Everyone, enjoy yourselves today!"

With that, he raised his chin haughtily and led the group toward the school gate.

…

I hung back at the end, scrolling on my phone and quietly unlinking every account connected to Lawrence.

When we reached the gate, my friend spotted me lingering at the back and dashed over. "Sylvia, why aren't you using your own cars? Why rent cars instead?"

I blinked innocently and pointed to Lawrence, who had stopped ahead, scowling. "It's not me using the cars. It's this gentleman. And I think your company's policy is to collect payment first, right?"

My friend was sharp. Seeing how I handled things, he immediately got it.

He smiled at me, then turned to Lawrence and bowed respectfully. "Mr. Carter, the round trip comes to two hundred thousand. How would you like to pay?"

Lawrence waved it off, pointing at me dismissively. "Don't bother me with this kind of petty stuff. Let my maid handle the payment."

The rental owner's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Are you serious? You're calling Sylvia, the heiress, your maid?"

Lawrence hadn't expected the rental owner to know me, and his expression flickered. "Never mind. Just deal with her."

I blinked and held out my hand. "Mr. Carter, you have to give me the money first. Then, I'll settle the bill."

Lawrence's patience snapped when he heard that. "Sylvia, enough already! All the money's with you, isn't it?"

I gasped in exaggerated shock. "What money? Your money? I haven't seen a single cent. Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

Lawrence froze. "Sylvia, what are you talking about? Haven't you seen all my money? I keep all of it with you!"

He winked at me as he spoke.

I suppressed a laugh and replied slowly and deliberately, "Mr. Carter, you're forgetful. Your money's not with me. If I remember correctly, all that pathetic allowance of yours has been spent on Liana."

Liana shot me a glare that could cut steel. "Lawrence likes me. What's wrong with him spending a little on me? And you, a mere servant, are acting all high and mighty. Jealous again, maybe?"

After that, she leaned even closer to Lawrence. "Lawrence, I can't stand the way she acts like she owns the place. Hurry up and pay. Put this servant in her place."

Lawrence gently squeezed Liana's hand, then turned to the rental owner with a stern expression. "My unlimited black card was damaged by this servant. Scan it."

I couldn't help laughing. "Such a rich heir, and you can't even remember where your money is. What do you think a scan will do?"

Lawrence's eyes bulged with rage, teeth clenched. "Sylvia, that's it! I'm super rich! There's no way this could fail!"

The rental owner quickly displayed the payment QR code. Lawrence pulled out his phone, entered his password, and a crisp electronic beep sounded for everyone to hear. "Payment failed. Insufficient balance."

The rental owner barely held back laughter. "What happened, Mr. Carter? Aren't you super rich? Can't even pay two hundred thousand?"