Chapter 6 A Worthless Nobody 1/7 Vivienne leaned forward , her tone teasing but earnest . " If you're really done with him , Rebecca , I might just make a move on Alistair . Fair game , right ? " Her words stoked the irritation simmering in Rebecca's chest . With a dismissive smirk , Rebecca shot back , " Vivienne , since when did your taste sink so low ? You're not seriously into Alistair , are you ? He's got no degree , no background … He's a complete loser . What exactly do you see in him ? " Vivienne's eyes flashed with defiance as she stood up for him . " Rebecca , you've been so busy picking apart his flaws that you've missed what makes him special . Sure , he doesn't come from money , but not everyone gets a lucky break . " But no education ? Come on , Rebecca , don't you feel a little guilty saying that ? If it weren't for you , he wouldn't have missed his SATS . I remember he was a stellar student back in high school . " Vivienne and Rebecca had been classmates , and though Alistair moved in different circles , his reputation as an academic star had reached even their privileged clique . Rebecca let out a derisive huff , a flicker of unease crossing her eyes before her usual haughty mask snapped back into place . Vivienne pressed on , undeterred . " He's good - looking , Chapter 6 A Worthless Nobody thoughtful , steady , and he knows how to take care of people . " 2/7 Rebecca rolled her eyes , cutting her off . " Oh , please , spare me . He's not half as perfect as you're making him out to be . " Vivienne arched a brow . " Isn't he ? If he wasn't so meticulous in looking after you and Daniel , do you honestly think you'd have kept him around for six years ? I know you , Rebecca . You used him to get under Rick's skin , but if he wasn't pulling his weight , you'd have ditched him ages ago . " Rebecca fell silent , her lips tightening . She had no comeback . After a long pause , she muttered defensively , " It wasn't about that . I paid off his dad's two - million - dollar debt . He owed me . If I'd let him off the hook early , I'd have been shortchanged . " Vivienne shook her head , a wry smile tugging at her lips . " You got a steal , Rebecca . Forget two million dollars . I'd shell out five to find a guy who'd care for me the way Alistair did for you and Daniel for six years . " Anne , quick to jump to Rebecca's defense , scoffed , " Vivienne , whose side are you on ? Why are you hyping up this guy ? He's a schemer , plain and simple. A smooth - talking charmer who's got you wrapped around his finger . " Vivienne sighed , unfazed . She knew she was speaking the truth , and that was enough . Trying to steer the conversation elsewhere , she glanced at her Chapter 6 A Worthless Nobody 3/7 watch . " It's getting late , Rebecca . Aren't you picking up Danny ? Alistair's probably not handling that anymore , right ? " Rebecca's lips curved into a sweet , almost smug smile . " Rick's got it . He said he wants to bond with Danny , you know , build that father - son connection . " Anne let out an exaggerated " Wow ! " with her eyes sparkling with envy . " What a catch ! Oh , and I saw your post . Rick made you guys breakfast ? That's the goal ! You two are so adorable it hurts . I'm dying to find a love like that someday . " Rebecca flashed a practiced , boastful grin , but deep down , she was silently begging Richard to stop making breakfast . She loved him , no question , but his cooking ? It was barely edible . Alistair had spoiled her . His meals were always just right , and now , anything less felt like a letdown . A sudden wariness crept over her . She began to suspect that Alistair's earnest , obedient façade had just been a cover . Maybe he'd honed his cooking skills on purpose , making himself indispensable to trap her . Rebecca steeled herself . She'd break that habit of relying on Alistair , no matter what . ajes Bres in jou Jdins Chapter 6 A Worthless Nobody 4/7 It slipped her mind that when Alistair first started , his dishes were simple , unpolished . Back then , if something wasn't to her taste , she'd hurl the plate at him , berating him until he pored over cookbooks , perfecting every recipe to meet her exacting standards . Anne leaned in , her voice conspiratorial . " Rebecca , you need to watch out for that Alistair . He might've left quietly , but I bet he's playing the long game . Mark my words , he'll come crawling back , stirring up trouble between you and Rick . " Rebecca snorted , her tone icy , " Let him try . " Vivienne piped up , her voice casual but pointed . " Hey , Rebecca , mind sharing Alistair's number ? " Rebecca's hand froze mid - reach for her bag . She forced a nonchalant tone . " What , you're actually serious ? Vivienne , he's not what you think . He's a fake . Trust me , don't waste your time on him . " Vivienne grinned , half - teasing . " Why , you jealous ? " Rebecca scoffed , tossing her hair , " Jealous ? Of him ? Please , he's not worth my time ." Despite her words , a knot of discomfort twisted in her chest . She couldn't pinpoint why she was so rattled . From the moment Vivienne brought up Alistair , a restless unease had taken hold . When Vivienne asked for his number , that unease swelled into something she couldn't ignore . Chapter 6 A Worthless Nobody She tried to convince herself that it was just a concern for her lifelong friend . 5/7 Vivienne is too good for someone as duplicitous as Alistair , and I don't want her to fall for his facade . She pulled out her phone and noticed five missed calls . She'd accidentally silenced it and hadn't noticed . Three of them were from the same unfamiliar number . It was Maggie , from the kindergarten . However , since Alistair always handled Daniel's school matters , Rebecca had never dealt with the staff or saved their numbers . She ignored the unknown calls , but the last two missed calls made her mood shift in an unexpected way . They were from Alistair . She couldn't fathom why he'd called . Her first thought was that , after leaving her , he'd realized he couldn't survive in the cutthroat world alone . He must've realized he can't make it out there on his own . Now he's trying to crawl back , hoping I'll throw him a bone . The idea soothed her frayed nerves , a smug satisfaction settling in . Chapter 6 A Worthless Nobody She stared at " Alistair " on her screen for a couple of seconds , picturing him pacing anxiously when she didn't pick up . 6/7 Anne peeked over , spotting the missed calls . " Told you to keep an eye on him ! Look at that . He's barely gone , and he's already trying to worm his way back ! " Bet he's got a sob story ready to tug at your heartstrings . Rebecca , don't feel sorry for him . Show him any kindness , and he'll cling to you like a leech . " She shot Vivienne a smug glance as if her suspicions about Alistair were proven . Vivienne , ever the voice of reason , offered a different take . " Maybe it's not what we're assuming . He could have a legitimate reason for calling . " Anne laughed , shaking her head in mock pity . " Oh , Vivienne , my parents always told me to learn from your smarts , but you're not exactly shining here . Can't you see Alistair's a master manipulator ? Everyone says guys can't resist a femme fatale , but flip the script , and it's the same deal . How'd you fall for his act ? I just don't get it . " Vivienne didn't take the bait . With a playful smile , she fired back , " You calling him a schemer is just your own theory . I don't see him that way . But hey , that's just my opinion . " Anne huffed , clearly riled . To prove her point , she turned to Rebecca . " Call him back , Rebecca . Let's see what game he's playing . " Chapter 6 A Worthless Nobody As she spoke , she shot Vivienne a smug glance , absolutely convinced that she'd be proven right . Suddenly , a theory clicked in Rebecca's mind . 7/7 Those three calls from the unknown number ? They have to be Alistair , too . He must've called from his phone , gotten no answer , and then used another number to pester me . Five calls ? What's he so desperate about ?