Michael, didn't look happy at all. Honestly, he felt like Evan just wasn't giving him any respect.
But right then, before Michael could say anything else, he caught sight of something on Evan's wrist—a Patek Philippe. He froze. His words died in his throat. For a second, he just stared, eyes wide and blank.
That was the 5740 model. Price tag? A cool $200,000.
Michael was shocked. He loved watches, especially Patek Philippe. He could never afford one, but he knew every detail about them. That's why he couldn't wrap his head around what he was seeing.
He was sure—no doubt at all—that the watch on Evan's wrist was the real deal. The quality just jumped out at him. If it was a fake, maybe it could trick someone else, but not him. He'd spent too much time obsessing over these watches.
"What's up, man? Cat got your tongue? Don't you usually have a lot to say?" Evan sat down, watching Michael's eyes glued to the watch. He knew Michael has recognized it. He grinned, his voice totally casual.
"Uh, I…" Michael snapped back to reality, but words just wouldn't come out. He swallowed, staring at Evan,still a bit dazed.
He really hadn't expected Evan to be wearing something that expensive—not at their age, not as a freshman. Even most rich kids wouldn't show off like that.
His heart sank.
Now he got it—why Emily picked Evan.It all made sense. That kind of money? That kind of confidence? Hard to compete.
"Uh, nothing. Sorry, man, didn't mean to interrupt your meal with your girlfriend. You guys go ahead—I'll take my roommates and eat somewhere else. See you."
With a weak laugh, Michael hurried out, way more polite than before. He didn't even mention helping Evan at school anymore. Let's be real—someone wearing a million-dollar watch probably didn't need favors from the student union.
As he left, Emily, who had been sitting there with a frosty look, couldn't help being surprised by Michael's sudden humility. Then she noticed him sneaking glances at the watch, swallowing hard.
She understood immediately.
Emily relaxed. She'd been worried Michael would cause trouble and make things awkward with Evan. She knew guys could be possessive. She and Michael barely talked, but that didn't mean Evan wouldn't get the wrong idea.
Now that Michael had backed off, she felt relieved.
Meanwhile, Michael's three roommates just stared, baffled by his quick change in attitude. They knew him—arrogant, always acting like Emily was his girlfriend. Now, just like that, he'd gone from cocky to sheepish.
What happened?
They had no clue about watches, so they missed the whole point.
"Leaving so soon? Why not stick around and chat? Didn't you know more friends means more opportunities?" Evan called after him, relaxed, even teasing a bit.
"No, no, I won't bother you guys. You eat—I'll take my roommates and go." Michael forced another laugh.
Normally, he'd get ticked if someone teased him like that. But with Evan? He didn't dare. His family did business, sure, but nothing on this level. He knew better than to cross someone who could casually wear a watch like that, especially as a freshman.
Maybe Evan was just a rich kid. Or maybe his family had some real power. Either way, Michael wasn't going to risk it.
"You sure you're not staying?" Evan raised an eyebrow and teash him.
"I'm sure, I'm sure. You guys eat. I'll go. Thanks, bro,"Michael said, almost bowing his head.
Evan finally let it go . Michael looked like he could breathe again.
"Alright, we'll go. See you around," Michael said, waving awkwardly as he backed away.
Michael didn't say a word to Emily the whole time. Honestly, he didn't even look her way.
You gave up, so just let it go already.
Even though he felt a bit unwilling, he knew there was nothing left between him and Emily.
He pushed his feelings down, grabbed a couple of his roommates, and walked straight out of the cafeteria. He had no plans to stay in the Hall any longer.
"hey , Michael, what's up with you? Why are you acting so polite toward Emily's boyfriend? Weren't you going to try to win her back?"
They'd just stepped outside when one of his roommates finally blurted out the question, tugging at Michael's arm.
"Yeah, this isn't like you at all. Go after her! I think you actually stand a real chance," another one added.
"Totally," the third agreed.
They all nodded, saying Michael really was generous. In just a month, he'd already treated them. Dorm life had been pretty good, and honestly, that made him way better than Nathan.
Michael just rolled his eyes. "Come on, what am I supposed to do? Compete with some rich kid for a girlfriend?"
"A rich kid? Wait, you're saying he's loaded?" one roommate asked.
"What's the big deal? Aren't you from a rich family too? Go for it! Emily is basically the goddess of our department, we can't just let someone from another department swoop in," another one said.
"Yeah, exactly," the others chimed in.
"Alright, enough," Michael cut them off, not wanting to hear any more. "Yeah, my family's got some money, but compared to his? There's no comparison. We're not even in the same league."
"Seriously?"
"Are you joking, Michael?"
All three of them stared at him, not quite believing it.
But Michael, your family runs a garment industry. You told us before—you guys pull in over a million dollars a year in profit. That's serious money. And you're telling me you can't even compare to him?
Come on, Michael. You don't have to play humble.
One of the guys blurted it out. Honestly, he always saw Michael as the classic rich kid—million-plus every year from the family business. What else would you call that, right?
But Michael can't even compare to Evan?
No way. He couldn't believe it.
"Who's being modest? I'm just telling it like it is." Michael glanced at his three roommates, saw they didn't buy it, and got straight to the point.
"Do you know why I suddenly changed my attitude.?"
They all shook their heads.
"Why, Michael?"
He leaned in a bit. "Because the watch on his wrist—it's a Patek Philippe, model 5740…"
Blank stares. So Michael just spelled it out.
"Okay, forget the model number. That watch costs more than $200,000."
"What?!"
"No way! Michael, how much did you just say?"
"Like, hundred of thousands?"
The number just hung in the air. The three of them were stunned. Then they all started talking at once.
"You heard me right," Michael said, not even blinking.
"So now you get why I dragged you guys with me, right?"
One roommate swallowed, then managed, "Michael, is that watch really that expensive? It's not… fake, is it?"
Michael shot him a look—he didn't even want to answer that.
"Come on. You think I can't spot a fake?" He didn't bother explaining any further.
The guy just chuckled, embarrassed, and shut up. But everyone could tell his mind was spinning.
Michael couldn't even imagine making that much money in his life—and now, it's just a watch on someone's wrist.
Someone else spoke up. "Michael, even if he has a million dollars watch, you're still not out of his league, right? Your family business makes over a 10 million a year."
Michael shook his head. "What's the point of comparing? My family's business makes that much, yeah, but that's from working our butts off all year. You think I'd take all that and just buy a watch? My dad would kill me. Seriously, if I ever asked for something like that, he'd probably open a new account for me, since the old one would be frozen."
He took a deep breath, then looked at his roommates. It was time to set things straight.
"Alright, let me break it down for you. There's a world of difference between different kinds of rich second generation kids. You think we're all the same? No way. The gap between some of us is bigger than the gap between a beggar and a rich kid."
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes,and lit up. The smoke hung there while he talked.
"Like, my family's business isn't small. We pull in maybe 20 or 30 million in sales a year. But after paying for everything—costs, electricity, rent, wages—we're left with just over a million in profit."
"And yeah, the family's assets are worth over ten million. But assets aren't cash in your pocket. If I even thought about buying a million-dollar watch, or even a 500,000, my dad would never agree. But if I said I wanted a car for 500,000, he'd be fine with it."
"Cars are a necessity. Watches? They're just luxury—nothing more."
"So when I graduate, my dad will definitely buy me a car worth half a million or more, but a watch for that much? No chance."
"And Evan? The guy just started college, same as us, and he's already wearing a expensive watch. Trust me, his family's assets are way, way over a hundred million."
Otherwise, he wouldn't throw money around like that. First off, that watch costs a fortune. Plus, look at his age—guys like him, they don't just splurge for no reason. My dad, for example, wouldn't even dream of buying me a car until I graduate college.
So, a watch worth over a million dollars? For him, that's probably nothing.
Now you get why I said he's on a whole different level, right? No comparison at all.
Michael finished talking and took a deep drag on his cigarette.
There was something he left unsaid: Evan carries himself differently—calm, steady, confident. He'd seen that kind of presence before, at a banquet with his dad. One of the big tycoons had a son who acted the same way.
You can tell when someone actually has confidence. It shows.
"I get it. I get it now."
"So his family's really that loaded."
"No wonder Emily is with him."
The three roommates finally seemed to understand. Michael's explanation hit home you need serious wealth before you'd even think about buying something that useless in daily life.
He glanced at his roommates, didn't bother saying more, and took another drag on his cigarette.
"Michael, now that Emily has a boyfriend, what are you gonna do?" one of them asked. "I think Isabella from our class is pretty too. She's got that cool, distant vibe—not any less beautiful than Emily."
Michael didn't answer, but the idea caught his interest.
Honestly, when school started a month ago, he'd hesitated between Emily and Isabella. Both stunning, but he picked Emily.
But Emily's out of reach now.
Isabella... He started thinking about her—her looks, her attitude, that mysterious, icy air she had. She really wasn't any less attractive than Emily.
Should he give it a shot?
He'd have to play it cool, though. Everyone knew he'd been chasing Emily, so he needed to let things cool off before making a move on Isabella.
With that, Michael made up his mind.
"Let's go out. My treat," he said, pushing aside his thoughts.
"Michael, you're the best!"
"You're awesome!"
The three roommates couldn't hide their excitement.
Michael felt a bit smug. Sure, he wasn't on Evan's level, but among the others, he was definitely one of the rich kids.
He hadn't won over Emily, but that was just bad luck. But Isabella? No way she's that lucky too.