My Wife Spoils a Poor Student and Tosses Me Spare Change

After five years of building a business with my wife, Jane Fletcher, our company finally goes public.

Right after I close a big business deal, I head home in high spirits, ready to take her to meet my family.

She transfers me 100 dollars with a hint of annoyance and says, "Buy yourself a decent shirt to wear for the financial conference on the day after tomorrow."

The next day, Ansel Meyer—the underprivileged student she sponsors—shows up in a custom suit worth two million dollars.

He says apologetically, "Mr. Crane, please do not be mad at Ms. Fletcher. She just wants to give me the best. Maybe she thinks you are used to these things, so she only gave you 100 dollars."

I call Jane, but she replies impatiently, "It is just a suit. Why are you being so petty?"

All of a sudden, I no longer want to continue this marriage.

So, I make two calls decisively.

"Hey, Mitch. I am not going to go through with that 50-million deal."

"Mom, hold on to the 300-million wedding gift you prepared for your daughter-in-law."

Right after stepping off the plane, I flagged a cab and headed straight for the office.

This business trip was a massive success. I'd closed a 50-million-dollar partnership with a close friend, and with the deal in the bag, the company was bound to take off. I wanted to surprise Jenna Fletcher with the good news.

There was a transfer notification from her on my phone. She'd sent me 100 dollars and told me to buy some new clothes for the financial conference the day after tomorrow.

I sent her a couple of cute, affectionate emojis.

Back when we first started our business, we could make a ten-dollar outfit from street stalls last six months.

When I arrived at the office lobby, a crowd of employees was gathered around Ansel Meyer, staring at him in awe.

Ansel was an underprivileged student whom my wife, Jenna, had sponsored. He graduated from college and now worked as her personal driver.

"Wow, that suit's gotta be custom-tailored, Ansel. It looks insanely expensive!"

"You're one lucky guy, Ansel. Ms. Fletcher treats you so well. Are you two about to make things official?"

"No doubt about it. Ansel's young, good-looking, and knows how to please the boss. That outfit alone must cost tens of thousands of dollars, and no one is willing to spend so much unless it's for someone special."

Ansel laughed along and smoothed his sharp-looking suit. "Quit the teasing, everyone, but Ms. Fletcher did tell me to buy something decent because she wants me to join her at the financial conference the day after tomorrow.

"It's the first time I've ever worn anything this nice. The whole outfit cost two million dollars, and I'll definitely treat Ms. Fletcher right after this."

My blood ran cold when I heard that.

Jenna and I never announced our marriage to the public, so all the employees assumed she was single. But as her driver, Ansel knew perfectly well that we were married.

I'd never imagined that while I was out there working myself to the bone, this gigolo had somehow become the darling of Jenna's eye. How was it fair that he got to wear an expensive, two-million-dollar suit while I had to make do with 100 dollars for some ordinary shirt?

The crowd gasped in shock.

"Two million dollars? Oh my god, Ms. Fletcher would spend any amount to spoil you!"

"I used to think Mr. Crane had a shot with her, but it looks like that's over now."

"Just a few days ago, she mentioned that Mr. Crane was incapable, didn't she? I doubt she'd go for him, and my bet's on Ansel; he clearly has the best shot at taking the top spot."

I walked up and asked, "Ansel, you're just a driver, aren't you? Who said anything about you attending the conference?"

What could he possibly understand at a financial conference?

Ansel just gave me an innocent, wide-eyed smile. "Ms. Fletcher said she wants me to watch and learn alongside her, so one day, I'll be her right-hand man.

"Mr. Crane, you're going to be at the conference too, aren't you? I know Ms. Fletcher gave you 100 dollars for your outfit.

"Don't be mad at her. She just wanted to give me the very best and probably thought you're used to your usual style, so she just gave you 100 dollars."

His words sounded modest, but they grated sharply on my ears.

I dialed Jenna's number, hoping for an explanation.