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Etella confronts Kevin, rejecting his promises and advances with clear disdain. She sees through his empty words, recognizing that his offers of wealth are meaningless to her. Having experienced a life surrounded by luxury but controlled by men, Estella refuses to be a mere accessory to any man again. She values her independence and self-reliance over the unstable security that comes from relying on a man’s love or money.

Kevin, used to winning women over with his financial power, is taken aback when Estella challenges his charm and character. He arrogantly insists that he is the best man she will ever meet and tries to bait her into a game of seduction, but Estella remains unimpressed and openly criticizes his arrogance, lack of manners, and rotten character. Her blunt rejection is a shock to Kevin, who has never been spoken to so harshly before.

The tension escalates as Kevin mocks the idea of a man without money being worthy of a woman, claiming that women only love money. Selene interrupts, agreeing partially with Kevin’s point about financial stability but calling him an idiot. Estella laughs at the absurdity of Kevin’s attitude and decides to end the confrontation by suggesting they move on to eat.

Before leaving, Estella challenges Kevin to prove his worth by earning a million on his own within a month, betting that he cannot do it without his family’s help. Kevin confidently accepts the challenge, determined to prove he is not pathetic. Once he storms off, Estella expresses relief and dismisses any possibility of being with him, emphasizing that his lack of class and crude mindset make him completely unattractive to her.

13 The Price of Illusion

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Finished

“And to have all that, all you’d need to do is be with me. How simple could it be?”

Estella looked at him with disdain.

She knew without a doubt that this man was selling her nothing but empty promises.

wasn’t some woman who had never seen the world.

When she was young, her father had given her a life of wealth.

After marrying Nathaniel, he had exposed her to the circles of high society.

She had seen fine things.

But all of those things had belonged to men. None of it had belonged to her.

She knew that with her beauty, it wouldn’t be hard to find another wealthy man.

But if she chose to cling to a man, she would always be nothing more than an ornament by his side.

When he loved her, he would lift her up to the heavens.

When he grew tired of her, he would slam her down into the dirt.

All of her emotions, all of her sense of security, would live and die with his moods.

She had already awakened from that life. She would never live it again.

And yet Kevin was still trying to lure her with these empty bubbles.

He thought she would fall for this kind of bait.

What an arrogant, overconfident man.

She couldn’t help but laugh softly. “I’ve heard all of this before. It doesn’t work.”

autiful women were always pursued by rich men with shiny promises.

She had fallen flat on her face in marriage once. She would never let herself fall into that same trap again.

“I prefer to rely on myself, not on a man’s promises. And Kevin, you really are pathetic. You can’t attract me with your own charm, so all you can do is flaunt your money. Aside from

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Chapter 213 The Price of illusion

money, what do you have that anyone would ever like?”

Kevin froze.

When he chased women before, all he had to do was show off his financial pow came running.

Money was his biggest charm.

ut now Estella had called his charm into question.

* Finished

they

He refused to believe she was truly that high–minded. She had to be faking it. Maybe this was just another of those women’s tricks, pretending to resist while secretly baiting him.

He smirked. “Is this your little seduction game? Playing hard to get? Estella, don’t push it. I’m not some man you can toy with. Think carefully–because I’m the best man you’re ever going to meet. If you reject me, don’t regret it later.”

Estella’s expression stayed cool, as though she were watching a clown perform.

“You do have money, but you have nothing to do with excellence. You have no manners, your character is rotten, you don’t know how to respect people, and you’re disgustingly arrogant.

“In fact, I have to wonder if there’s something wrong with your comprehension skills, Mr. Chunk. A man like you is truly tedious. Not only am I uninterested—I find you revolting.”

It was the first time Kevin had ever been degraded like that. His teeth clenched in fury.

He had always been put on a pedestal. No one had ever dared to belittle him.

And this woman dared to say such things to his face.

She must have a death wish.

Estella gave a mocking smile. “When you chase women, you’ve always relied on money, haven’t you? Did it ever cross your mind–if you were just an ordinary man, could you win a woman’s heart with your own charm? I’d bet not. No woman would ever willingly be with a man whose head is full of nothing but garbage like yours.”

“How could any woman be with a man who has no money?” Kevin sneered. “All women love money. Poor men deserve to be single. What right do they have to women?”

Estella was about to respond when Selene suddenly cut in. “Estella, honestly, he’s an idiot and way too full of himself, but on that last point… he’s not wrong. A man with no money should work harder and stay single until he can, instead of dragging a woman down.”

Estella had been ready to keep firing at Kevin, but Selene’s interruption made her laugh

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Chapter 213 The Price of Illusion

instead.

“Alright, enough. Let’s not waste any more breath on this nonsense. Let’s just go eat.”

But Kevin wasn’t willing to let it go. “Say it clearly–I can’t possibly be as bad out to be.”

$3 Finished

ke me

stella didn’t want to bother with him, but to buy herself some peace, she humored him.

your supposed glory comes from your family. I’m guessing you’ve never earned a cent on your own. Do you dare bet with me that, without your father’s help, you could earn a million within a month?”

“A million? That’s nothing. Of course I can,” Kevin said confidently. “If I earn a million on my own within a month, will you consider being my girlfriend?”

Estella smiled thinly. “You can try. Do it first, then we’ll talk.”

Kevin’s teeth ground together. “Fine. I’ll prove it to you. I, Kevin, am not some pathetic man.”

He stormed off in a huff.

Estella finally let out a sigh of relief as he disappeared.

Selene asked, “If he really did earn a million, would you seriously think about dating him?”

“Of course not.” Estella laughed. “How could I ever like a man with no class? You know what? Just talking to him feels like I’ll catch something. A man who thinks about women even while eating–imagine how filthy he must really be.”

1.5K

This chapter poignantly captures Estella’s awakening and her refusal to be ensnared by the hollow allure of wealth and empty promises. Her sharp rebuke of Kevin’s arrogance and superficial charm underscores a deeper yearning for genuine respect and self-reliance, rather than the transient validation that comes from being a mere accessory to a man’s fortune. The clash between their values reveals the painful price of illusion—how easily one can be blinded by surface glimmers while losing sight of true worth.

Yet, amidst the tension and confrontation, Estella’s resolve shines through with clarity and strength. She chooses authenticity over pretense, independence over dependency, and dignity over submission. This emotional reckoning not only defines her character but also serves as a subtle reminder that true connection must be built on more than just money or status—it requires integrity, respect, and a shared sense of self.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the simmering tension between Estella and Kevin, as his bold challenge to prove his worth sets the stage for a test that could redefine their relationship. Will Kevin be able to rise to the occasion and earn that elusive million, or will his overconfidence lead to an inevitable downfall? Estella’s skepticism and sharp wit suggest that even success might not be enough to sway her, hinting at complex emotional layers beneath their confrontations.

Meanwhile, Selene’s unexpected intervention adds another dimension to the unfolding drama, raising questions about societal expectations and the true value of wealth versus character. As the characters navigate their conflicting ideals and desires, readers can anticipate moments of vulnerability, pride, and perhaps surprising revelations that will challenge their perceptions of love, ambition, and self-worth. The next chapter will surely keep you on edge, eager to see who will emerge victorious in this delicate game of pride and persuasion.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.