---- Sophia's brow furrowed, her tone dripping with finality. "Alex, whatever we had is long over. It's never going to happen again." I forced down my rising anger. "You're right. It ended a long time ago, and it's never going to happen again." Someone snorted. "Look at him, trying to play hard to get now." I realized there was no point arguing with a pack of fools. As I turned to leave, Sophia grabbed my arm." Alex, you haven't apologized to James yet!" Iclenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay civil." Someone pushed me. I'm not apologizing for something I didn't do. As for the watch, I'm calling the police. Let them figure it out." James put on his saintly act again. "Forget it, forget it. It's just a watch. Let's not make this ---- worse." The onlookers jumped in again. "See the difference? That's why James is a successful entrepreneur, and Alex is still a mid- level employee after all these years." Just then, Catherine and Professor Warren arrived. "What's going on here?" Immediately, the crowd swarmed Catherine, showering her with praise. Even Sophia's icy expression tightened. I finally managed to push through the crowd to Catherine's side. She took my hand, a look of genuine concern on her face. "What happened?" Before I could answer, a dozen voices jumped in to tell their version of events. Catherine listened, then turned to me with a smirk. "Jealous? Of them?" ---- I shook my head. "Absolutely not. Someone shoved me. I'd never be jealous of them." She burst out laughing. "I believe you. I'll pay for the watch. After all, your wealth is all in my pocket." The room fell silent. The looks on James and Sophia's faces were priceless. James said hurriedly, "Forget it. Money hurts relationships."