Chapter 2

Back in my dorm, I'd taken out my suitcase when the door got kicked open.

Harry, Dale's friend, swaggered in, looking cocky, with two guys tagging along behind him.

"Dale wants to see you," Harry said.

I slowly folded a T-shirt and put it in my suitcase. "I'm busy."

Harry froze, clearly not expecting that reaction. In his mind, I had always been the quiet, timid girl who followed Dale around.

"What the hell did you say? Say it again," he barked, raising his voice.

My roommate cowered in the corner, too scared to breathe.

I looked up at him calmly. "I said I'm busy. Do you not understand English?"

Harry's face flushed with rage. "Winona, don't push it. Do you think you're still Dale's girlfriend? You're nothing but a girl who got dumped. Stop acting like a boss."

He stepped forward, reaching for my collar.

My gaze turned icy as I grabbed his wrist and twisted it sharply.

Harry screamed in pain.

I'd trained in boxing for years. Dealing with spoiled rich boys like him was more than easy.

"Watch your mouth," I said coldly. "One more insult, and I'll break your hand."

Harry was sweating bullets from the pain, staring at me in shock and fear. "Let go of me. If you touch me, Dale won't let you get away with it."

I let go of him as if I'd heard a joke. "Sure, try me."

Harry tripped over himself, scrambling out of the room, yelling, "Just you wait."

The dorm finally fell silent. My roommate stared at me, mouth hanging open, totally speechless. "Winona, you're such a badass."

I smiled. "I only don't want to be pushed around."

I kept packing, and my phone buzzed again. This time, it was Dale.

I swiped to answer, but stayed silent.

There was a long silence, only his heavy breathing on the line.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice rough. "What did you mean at the orientation party?"

I played dumb. "What are you talking about?"

"Naomi," he nearly shouted. "Do you know her?"

I chuckled. "Mr. Jenkins, didn't you say we're not the same kind of person? Then I guess my business isn't your concern anymore."

Dale was caught off guard. "Winona, you'd better explain yourself, or—"

"Or what?" I cut him off. "Do you want to humiliate me in front of everyone again? Sorry. I'm done being your prop."

"Who are you, really?" His voice was full of suspicion and wariness.

"I'm Winona Lawrence," I drawled. "A pathetic girl who gave up her future for love, only to be dumped by you. Are you satisfied now, Mr. Jenkins?"

Then I hung up and blocked him immediately.

Finally, I got some peace.

I packed my stuff, said bye to my roommate, and left the school without looking back. I hadn't even been there a full day.

*****

A flashy pink Lamborghini was parked at the entrance. The window rolled down, showing a stunning face.

Naomi whistled at me. "Hop in, babe. Let's have some fun."

I opened the door and slid inside. "What brings you here?"

"Celebrating, of course," Naomi said, flooring the gas and sending the car forward. "And I wanted to see Dale make a fool of himself."

She shot me a look in the rearview mirror. "That last line of yours was brutal. He's probably breaking down right now."

I smiled. "You trained me well."

Naomi was the sole heiress of the Foster Group. She was also my boss.

Three months ago, she contacted me through a middleman.

"I need you to play a role," she said. "A poor college girl who can make Dale fall for you.

"His family is forcing us into a marriage. I don't like him, but they're pushing hard. I need him to mess up on his own and fall for someone else, so I'll have a reason to stall the wedding."

She held up her fingers. "Finish the job, and you'll get the money."

"600 thousand?" I said, a little unsure.

She laughed, shaking her head. "6 million dollars. And a spot at Galris University."

I said yes without a second thought.

Therefore, as someone who nailed the SAT, I became the sweet, lovesick girlfriend Dale thought was hopelessly devoted to him.

Meanwhile, Dale played the part of a rich kid disguised as a poor boy, enjoying his so-called "love game".

We were both putting on a show, but he didn't know I was getting paid to play my part.

"What's your plan now?" Naomi asked.

"I'm getting my visa, heading to Cresvia, and focusing on my studies," I replied.

"Seriously? With 6 million dollars in your account, why bother with school? You should enjoy yourself," Naomi scoffed, rolling her eyes.

I shook my head. "It's not the same."

The money gave me confidence, but knowledge was what I truly relied on to make my way in the world.

Naomi didn't say anything else. She cranked up the music. "Come on, I'm taking you somewhere awesome."

*****

The Lamborghini finally pulled up in front of an exclusive private club. Naomi led me inside like she owned the place.

Inside the room, a few well-dressed men and women were already there. As soon as they saw Naomi, they crowded around her.

"Naomi, you're finally here."

"Whoa, you brought a new girl. Come on, introduce her."

Naomi pulled me close and said loudly, "This is my new friend, Winona Lawrence. From now on, treat her like you'd treat me. Be respectful."

Everyone instantly put on their brightest smiles. "Hi, Winona."

I wasn't really used to this kind of place, so I nodded lightly.

We'd barely sat down when the door slammed open. Dale and Harry stood in the doorway, looking pissed.

Dale's gaze cut straight toward me.

However, when he saw Naomi sitting next to me, he trembled.