Chapter 6: Lick my shoes!

When Ashton heard Tristan's offer, he couldn't help but laugh as if it was the funniest joke he'd ever heard. "Five million? Come on, we're not talking about pocket change here. You think money is just lying around everywhere?" Just a minute ago, he was silent, and now he's stepping up like he's some kind of hero. What? If Tristan were really some rich kid, Ashton's earlier comments would have been like slapping him right in the face. There's no way Tristan could have stayed quiet for so long. "Tristan, right? Five million, are you kidding me?" The other students quickly sided with Ashton. "What's Mr. Wilde's status compared to yours?" "Trying to show off in front of Mr. Wilde, seriously?" Tristan seemed confused by their reaction. What was wrong with what he said? For him, making ten million a minute, five million is just a small change. Ashton felt insulted by the bafflement in Tristan's eyes. Given that he'd never heard of him and knowing Nova's modest background, how could she know any real wealthy people? "You're just a street punk making grand claims! " "Showing off here needs real backing, not just big talk." They wanted to see Tristan crumble. Nova, who had hired Tristan to be there, knew exactly what a gigolo could afford. Just maintaining his network costs money, not to mention any potential cuts from middlemen. Nova struggled a bit in Tristan's embrace, then leaned in and whispered, "Find an excuse and leave. I'll handle this myself." Her sudden change in demeanor actually startled everyone present. But Tristan whispered back, "Just watch, I'll take care of this for you." He then turned his steely gaze on the classmates, "Nova might dress simply, but since when does that give you the right to look down on her?" Suddenly, the room went quiet. Everyone looked around, waiting for someone else to make the next move. One reason Nova wanted Tristan to leave was to avoid being tied down to him, preventing Ashton from pulling any more low blows. Nova felt a mix of surprise and gratitude when Tristan stood up for her. She wondered why a gigolo she'd just met would go to bat for her like this, especially when Ashton seemed so intent on tearing her down. Tristan, oblivious to the emotional storm brewing in Nova, casually pulled out his phone and whispered something into it. Nova was too caught up in her own feelings to catch what he said. Ashton, noticing Tristan and Nova getting cozy, tightened his grip on Selena's hand. He thought to himself, after breaking up with him, Nova was supposed to be miserable, not happy! Unable to contain his bitterness, Ashton sneered, "Simple, huh? More like she doesn't hang with the rich crowd anymore. Who's left to splurge on her?" Tristan recalled a detail from the dossier his assistant had provided about Nova—Ashton's family had made a dubious fortune. How could he have the audacity to talk like that? But this was exactly the kind of scenario Tristan had hoped for. He tossed out a challenge with a smirk, "What if I flash five million right now? Would you bark like a dog for us?" Seeing Nova and Tristan so close felt like a slap in the face to Ashton. Despite their breakup, he still saw Nova as something he owned. Why should Tristan be the one defending her? Ashton mocked, "What? Did you borrow some cash from a sugar mama to impress us?" "Bet you've been busy polishing those gold-digger skills!" Selena, wincing from the pain in her hand and on the verge of tears, didn't dare speak up. She was too scared of losing Ashton, especially now that she had finally managed to snag him from Nova with hopes of marrying into a wealthy family. Tristan knew just how to sting Ashton. He shook his head and sighed, "So timid, no wonder she left you. A guy without a spine is just pathetic." That comment enraged Ashton, his hands trembling with anger. Ashton scoffed, "Show me the cash, and I'll crawl and bark like a dog. But if you can't, then both of you will do it instead—and lick my shoes!"