Starting as the President of a Billionaire Group Chapter 1069: 1044: Slapped in the Face Again
Previously on Starting as the President of a Billionaire Group...
Calis offered a dismissive snort, “You must have misread the price tag by at least one zero. This diamond necklace is ten million—do you honestly have that kind of money?”
He gestured toward the butler standing nearby and commanded, “Put it on my card.”
With a smug, icy laugh, he added, “Today, I am going to make it clear just how vast the divide is between someone like you and me.”
He then directed the shop attendant with an air of arrogance, “Attendant, run the card.”
The butler took hold of the card and headed off to finalize the transaction.
However, he returned only moments later, looking visibly flustered.
Calis remained composed, still wearing that same self-satisfied smirk as he asked, “Well? Is it done?”
The butler lowered his head in embarrassment, “Sir, I am truly sorry, but the card has insufficient funds.”
Calis had been riding high on his attempt to show off, so upon hearing these words, he was utterly stunned.
“Insufficient funds? How could that possibly be?”
Calis sprang to his feet.
“I have over ten million sitting in that account!”
The butler sighed and explained, “Sir, you do have ten million, but the price being quoted is in USD.”
“What?”
In USD, that meant the necklace carried a price tag of roughly thirty million.
Calis stood there, completely floored.
“Damn it, why is this diamond set so expensive? This is nothing but daylight robbery!”
The butler replied carefully, “Sir, due to import tariffs, the price here in Hua Country is double what you would see in Europe, and this brand’s jewelry is expensive by nature. Shall we still proceed with the purchase?”
Calis felt a wave of humiliation wash over him.
He really only had that specific amount available on his card.
He had intended to humiliate Ye Chen, but instead, he had tripped over himself once again.
Ye Chen chimed in calmly, “Prince, weren’t you the one eager to pay? Why the hesitation now?”
Calis looked crestfallen.
Ye Chen let out a sigh, “Are you tapped out? Aren’t you supposed to be a prince from Country S?”
Ye Chen assumed that princes from West Asia were rolling in endless wealth, yet he had not expected this one to be so broke.
The onlookers were equally baffled.
Aren’t the princes usually depicted as impossibly wealthy on television?
This internet-famous prince was always boasting about his massive fortune.
Between the luxury yachts and private jets, how could he somehow fail to produce thirty million?
In that moment, the truth dawned on the crowd; it had all been a facade.
Seeing is truly believing.
It turned out that Calis was nothing but a pretender.
Lin Wanrou watched the scene from the side with a faint, knowing smile.
“Even though Calis is a prince from Country S, their oil reserves have largely dried up, and his family lacks the staggering wealth people assume. He has simply been flaunting a fortune that doesn't actually exist.”
Lin Wanrou looked at Calis with a trace of pity.
The myth of the ‘prince as rich as a country’ was nothing more than a misconception.
While this prince was wealthier than the average person, he certainly did not possess the bottomless coffers the public imagined.
Lin Wanrou smiled gently and said, “Calis, there is no need to keep up the charade. I am fully aware of your circumstances. Truth be told, you aren't nearly as wealthy as my boyfriend.”
The moment these words left her lips, Calis looked as though he had been stung.
“What? I am not wealthier than your boyfriend?”
Calis was deeply embarrassed to have his true financial standing exposed by Lin Wanrou.
But how could he, a royal, allow himself to be outdone by a delivery man?
The very idea was a total insult.
Gritting his teeth, Calis turned to Wang Congcong, “President Wang, lend me some money. I shall pay you back shortly.”
Wang Congcong merely glanced toward Ye Chen.
Normally, he might have been willing to extend a loan.
But he understood now that this foreigner was merely trying to compete with Ye Chen over a woman.
In his estimation, Ye Chen’s true value surpassed Calis by a thousand times. How could he justify helping him?
Wang Congcong shook his head, “I am afraid I cannot lend you any money.”
Others, seeing Wang Congcong refuse, chimed in, “Sorry, none of us carry that kind of cash on us.”
Calis was speechless.
Hadn't these friends spent all night bragging about their connections and wealth?
Hadn't they all claimed they would do anything for their companions?
Yet, when the situation demanded action, they all retreated.
“Can’t any of you pool your resources and help me out?”
“Pool our money? Do you think this is a small amount? If we lend it to you and you cannot pay it back, what then?”
In an instant, their bond of friendship shattered.
They had acted like brothers moments ago, yet now they were turning on one another.
Ye Chen watched the fallout with a skeptical expression.
Only a moment ago, he had assumed this prince was wealthier than a small nation, yet this was the reality.
Ye Chen pulled out his own card and tossed it to the attendant, “Run it.”
Calis, busy bickering with his so-called friends, fell silent the moment he saw Ye Chen stepping up to handle the payment.
A look of utter disdain crossed his face.
You? You intend to pay? Does your card even hold ten thousand?
Calis prepared himself to mock the outcome, but the attendant returned with a broad, professional smile.
“Mr. Ye Chen, the payment is complete. Please sign here.”
What?
Calis was completely dumbstruck.
Isn't he just a delivery driver?
Since when did the delivery men of Hua Country become this formidable?
Wang Congcong threw one final look toward Calis.
That fool.
Mr. Ye is completely out of your league.
He walked over to Ye Chen.
“Brother Ye, I didn’t realize Calis was such a pathetic failure. I have officially decided to cut ties with him.”
The others quickly agreed, “We won't associate with a clown like that anymore either.”
Ye Chen offered a small smile, took the diamond necklace from the attendant, and whispered softly, “Wanrou, let me place this on you.”
He fastened the necklace around Lin Wanrou’s neck.
Instantly, the diamond erupted with a dazzling brilliance that accented her natural beauty perfectly, leaving everyone in the room stunned.
It was truly breathtaking.
Even Calis felt his breath catch at the sight of her.
Such beauty is truly a gift from the heavens.
No matter the cost, I must make her mine.
The onlookers were likewise shocked by the spectacle.
They had initially pegged Ye Chen as an average delivery driver, never imagining he would be a hidden, wealthy magnate.
This was a truly glorious turn of events.
A humble delivery driver from Hua Country had absolutely dismantled a prince from Country S.
“Haha! How is it that someone so broke still calls himself a prince?”
“This is comedy gold! I thought he was a real player, but he’s just a fraud!”
“I’ve completely figured this prince out—he’s nothing but a show-off!”
Listening to the mocking laughter, Calis’s face burned a deep, embarrassed red.
He found himself wishing he had never bothered to learn the local language.
In appearance, he had lost to Ye Chen.
In terms of financial power, he had been utterly crushed.
Calis never could have imagined that as a dignified prince from Country S, he would be humiliated by a man like Ye Chen.
However, Calis wasn't planning on giving up just yet.
He was far too obsessed with Lin Wanrou.
He decided internally that this situation was far from over.
After all, Lin Wanrou's family back in Europe had already signaled their support for the marriage.
Boy, enjoy your little victory for now; once Lin Wanrou returns to Hawk Country, I will use every resource to force her hand.
Calis resolved himself with a dark, silent promise.