chapter 2

My buddy, Conrad Fairfax, wanted to take me out drinking to cheer me up. I wasn't in the mood.

"Jamie, you just lost one tree, but there's a whole forest out there! If Isabella can find someone new, so can you. Come on, this place is full of beautiful women!"

Without giving me a choice, he sent me the location and some photos. In the dim lighting, I could see a woman's profile—even from that angle, you could tell she was gorgeous.

I quickly got myself ready and headed to the bar with a bit of excitement.

"Over here!" Conrad waved me over. When he saw how I was dressed, his eyes widened. "Damn, James, you're definitely going to kill it tonight!

"If Isabella saw you now, she'd regret everything."

I smirked. "Who cares about her regret!"

"Exactly, we don't need her. Come on, I'll get you ten hot models tonight—all beautiful women!"

Conrad dragged me inside. As soon as we walked in, I felt eyes on me from all directions. I knew I had that effect on people.

For the past two years with Isabella, I'd forced myself to be all serious and proper. But deep down, I was still passionate.

Sitting here now, my blood was pumping with excitement.

"Jamie, look—that one over there is the sweet innocent type, and the one on the right is more mature and sexy. Which one do you like?"

"I don't make choices. I want it all."

Conrad grinned mischievously at that. Within minutes, I had women sitting all around me.

We were having a great time when I heard a voice behind me. "James! What the hell are you doing!"

I turned around and there was Isabella with Zachary and a bunch of her girlfriends.

I ignored her and kept drinking.

Isabella was furious. "James, you did this on purpose! You broke up with me and then came straight to a bar to hook up with women!

"Let me tell you something—even if you're trying to get my attention this way, I won't give you a second look!"

Right after she said that, Zachary laughed. "Don't be so harsh! Mr. Caldwell is just being sentimental. You can't expect him to be as rebellious as you are—he's always been a good boy!"

"That's true. A good boy coming to bars—aren't you worried your family will find out?"

I looked at both of them and leaned back against the model next to me. I looked up with a mocking smile. "Isabella, if you're having delusions, go see a psychiatrist. You think I'm copying him? That's giving him way too much credit!"

The model beside me laughed along. "Sir, your clothes are so expensive—anyone can see they're designer brands. Some people here are just pretending, but their whole outfit probably costs less than three hundred bucks! Who's copying who?"

"Exactly! Knockoff garbage trying to mock the real thing!"

Zachary's face turned green. Isabella was even more furious. "What are you talking about!"

"Forget it, Belly. I can't compete with him anyway. James comes from money, and I'm just an ordinary guy. How could I compare?"

I nodded. "Good that you know your place."

Isabella was about to explode again, but I cut her off. "Don't annoy me here. You started this mess!"

She glared at me hard and stormed off. Her friends didn't dare say a word and quickly followed her out.

I watched Zachary trail behind Isabella like a puppy and shook my head. No matter how exciting he seemed, he was still just a gold digger!

"Sir, how did I do just now?" A soft voice suddenly appeared next to my ear.

This cute girl looked at me with hopeful eyes. I pinched her cheek. "Not bad, keep it up."

Everyone around us started cheering. Conrad winked at me with an approving look.

I just smiled and said nothing.