MAX Restaurant.
"Heh."
After Peter left, Monica picked up the check he had left as a tip, glanced at it, and couldn't help but laugh.
"What is it?"
Adam asked curiously.
"Take a look at this."
Monica handed the check to Adam. "He's got quite the sense of humor."
"Wow, a $20,000 tip? He must be loaded."
Adam took the check and whistled when he saw the amount written alongside Peter's phone number.
"He must be joking."
Monica waved dismissively.
"Not necessarily."
Adam waved the check slightly. "At the very least, this check is likely real. It just depends on whether you want to cash it or not."
"What?"
Monica was stunned. "Are you saying this check is legit?"
"Writing a bad check is illegal."
Adam reminded her, "Didn't you notice his outfit? Low-key yet elegant—definitely soone with money."
"Then what is he trying to do?"
Monica's expression darkened. "What does he take for?"
"Don't be mad. Just look at what you're wearing..."
Adam was about to joke further but suddenly sensed danger. He quickly leaned back in a tactical dodge, narrowly avoiding Monica's incoming pink projectile. He chuckled and said, "I was just kidding!"
He picked up the pink weapon and handed it back to her. "We're still at work. If the boss sees this, your paycheck might take a hit."
Monica snatched it back angrily and stuffed it into her clothing, restoring symtry in an instant.
"He's actually being pretty clever about this."
Adam quickly changed the subject. "Think about it—he probably knows you're not that kind of woman. That's why he left such a big tip. He's betting that you won't cash it but instead go to him for clarification. That way, you'll have to et him again. And I'm guessing you won't be wearing this uniform next ti, will you?"
"Are all rich people this devious?"
Monica considered Adam's theory. She was actually a little pleased, but she kept up the act of being mad.
Unfortunately for her, Adam was an expert at reading people.
He glanced at her sideways and pretended to rip up the check. "Yep, rich people are the worst. You definitely shouldn't fall for this. Here, let tear it up for you—"
"Stop!"
Monica quickly snatched it back. Seeing Adam's teasing look, she felt a little guilty and snapped, "I'm cashing this check right after work. That'll teach him!"
"Great idea."
Adam gave her a thumbs-up.
If he kept teasing her, she might actually decide not to et up with Peter. Then she'd be pestering him to introduce her to soone instead, which would be an even bigger headache.
The Next Day
Morning Jog
Adam knocked on the door of Apartnt 520.
"Co in."
Monica assud it was for her and called out to Adam, "Give a sec."
"I'm here for Rachel."
Adam walked straight to Rachel's bedroom door.
Knock knock knock.
"Rachel?"
"Who is it?"
Rachel's groggy yet slightly irritated voice ca from inside.
Unlike Monica, who was diligent, Rachel still hadn't shaken off her laziness even after living on her own for three years. She was just as bad about getting up as ever.
"It's , Adam. I need a favor."
Adam said with a smile.
"What kind of favor?"
Hearing it was Adam, Rachel suppressed so of her irritation, though she didn't bother opening her eyes.
"Do you feel like going shopping?"
The mont Adam finished speaking, the bedroom door flew open. Rachel, still in her pajamas, stared at him with bright eyes. "Shopping? Yes!"
Not a trace of sleepiness remained.
"Ahem."
Adam glanced at Rachel's pajama top and couldn't help but remind her, "Rachel, you might want to, uh, cover up a little…"
"What's the big deal?"
Rachel looked down at the obvious marks showing through and shrugged. "Who wears a bra to sleep? Anyway, tell about this shopping trip."
Okay, sure—people don't wear bras to bed. But I've never seen you wear one when you're awake either…
Adam grumbled internally.
Ever since Rachel started dating Ross, she had beco increasingly casual about this stuff. Toward the later seasons, she basically showed up braless in almost every scene. Who even knew why?
"There's a big party next week, and I need to bring Max as my plus-one."
Adam explained, "But she's never attended anything like this before. She doesn't have the right outfits, and she isn't familiar with proper etiquette. So, I was hoping you could take her shopping for dresses and shoes, help her get styled, and give her so tips on these kinds of events."
"Of course!"
Rachel agreed imdiately. "Whose party is it?"
"Caroline Channing's coming-of-age party."
Adam's smile was a little mysterious.
"Caroline Channing?!"
Rachel and Monica exclaid in unison. "The daughter of Martin Channing? That billionaire heiress?"
"You both know her?"
Adam laughed.
"Are you kidding ?"
Rachel was practically shaking with excitent. "She's the It Girl of the fashion world! A true golden child! There's not a single person in Arica who doesn't know her!"
"I heard she has an $800 million trust fund."
Monica chid in. "OMG! I can't even imagine having that much money!"
"How did you get invited?"
Rachel suddenly turned to Adam with suspicion.
"...?"
Adam's smile twitched. "Why wouldn't I get invited? Do you not think I'm worthy?"
"No, no!"
Rachel denied it, but her eyes were still filled with doubt. "It's just that… a Channing family party? The guest list must be full of billionaires—or at least people worth hundreds of millions. Are you that rich?"
"Not all guests have to be ultra-wealthy."
Monica added, "Top-tier socialites get invited too. Maybe Adam got in because he's a famous writer?"
That was actually half-correct. But why did it sound like she wasn't totally convinced?
"That's right."
Adam nodded. "Caroline happens to be a fan of my books, so she personally invited ."
"Ohhh, that makes sense."
Rachel and Monica finally understood, their eyes filled with envy.
But what annoyed Adam was the hint of 'you got lucky' in Rachel's gaze.
"So this is really happening? You're actually going to the Channing heiress's coming-of-age party?"
Rachel murmured.
"AHHHHHH!!!!"
Before Adam could respond, Rachel let out a high-pitched scream—like nails on a chalkboard.
"Take with you, Adam! Please, please, please!"
Rachel threw herself at him, clinging like a koala as she begged.
"You really want to go?"
Adam smirked.
"Yes!"
Not just Rachel—Monica also looked tempted.
Clearly, high-society luxury was incredibly alluring, even in Arica. The "tiny tis" phenonon wasn't exclusive to China.
"You really want to go?"
Adam asked again.
"More than anything!"
Rachel confird without hesitation.
"Sorry, I already have a plus-one."
Adam pried her off and gave a helpless shrug.
He was loving this.
The more she wanted to go, the more satisfying it was to turn her down.
That's what you get for doubting earlier.
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