Chapter 2

- Claire’s POV -

Everything was exposed. Jane wrapped her arms around Daniel’s, sneering at me endlessly. “A fat girl like you isn’t worthy of Daniel. For the past few years, he’s just been playing you.”

Another guy chimed in, “I wasted my money betting that you were too insecure to even ask Daniel to sleep with you.”

I clenched my fists, trying to explain. “I have nothing to feel insecure about. I’m fat because I donated bone marrow to my grandfather three years ago.”

I turned to Daniel, stressing every word. “Three years ago, you were the one who pursued me first.”

“Shut up!” Daniel yelled, pointing at my face with utter disgust. “If your family didn’t have money, I wouldn’t have used tutoring just to get your attention.”

My heart ached so badly I could barely breathe. Staggering toward him, I demanded, “How have I ever mistreated you? Your tuition, living costs, and even the money you spent partying with other girls came from me. You bled me dry - and now you turn around and despise me?”

Daniel shouted even louder, as if I had hit his sorest spot. “Didn’t you give me all of that voluntarily? Even without you, I’d still make plenty of money in the future!”

I burst into laughter, tears streaming down my face. “If that’s the case, I’m taking back all the assets my grandfather left me.”

Daniel stood up and walked straight toward me. I thought he would beg like he used to, but instead, he slapped me hard, knocking me to the floor.

“You think you still have a place in the company? Without me, your company would’ve gone bankrupt long ago, and your grandfather wouldn’t even be resting in peace!”

Clutching my swollen cheek, I rasped, “Did you ever love me - even just a little?”

Daniel narrowed his eyes at me. “You disgust me.” He then turned to his friends. “Let’s get out of here. It’s filthy.”

Filthy? He was the one who committed all these sins against me, yet I was the filthy one.

I lunged forward, grabbing his pants and pulling him down onto the floor. I rained blows on him, hitting him repeatedly until he agreed to give my grandfather’s company back to me.

Shatter!

A wave of excruciating pain surged through me. Dizzy and disoriented, I collapsed onto the floor. Something warm trickled down my forehead. Through my blurred vision, I saw Jane holding a shattered object.

“Don’t leave any evidence!”

I caught faint murmurs around me before the overpowering stench of alcohol filled my nose. They were pouring booze all over me. I watched with my own eyes as Daniel flicked a lighter onto the floor. Flames erupted instantly, consuming me whole.

In my fading consciousness, I saw a figure rush through the doorway, frantically calling my name. Who was it? I reached my hand toward him. Please, save me!

I walked down the school hallway, ignoring the whispers behind my back. Right now, I just wanted to remember the person who had risked his life to save me. Did he make it out safely? But who could possibly be that kind?

“That fat girl actually dared to hit rich boy Daniel. Isn’t she scared of his family background?”

“Right? Daniel only needs to swipe a fraction of his credit card, and that’s enough to ruin her life here.”

I rolled my eyes, finding their gossip increasingly laughable. Daniel dared to pose as my grandfather’s grandson just to show off at school. Half the money in his account was company investment funds, and the other half was the monthly allowance I sent him. Every time I brought this up in front of others, he would yell at me to shut up and drag everyone away. That was why nobody knew his wealthy persona was a total lie.

This time, I would study diligently and properly manage the company my grandfather left behind. I would never let him steal a single thing from me again.

Back in class, I focused intently on the lecture, taking detailed notes and borrowing notebooks from classmates to make up for missed lessons. I hadn't realized how chasing after Daniel had ruined my studies.

When the bell rang, I finally allowed myself to relax. The sheer volume of information gave me a slight headache. Opening the water bottle on my desk, I took a large gulp to refresh myself.

Just seconds later, a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. I shook my head violently, but my vision kept blurring. Through the haze, I spotted Daniel’s figure standing outside the classroom door.

This definitely had something to do with him. I couldn't let him harm me again.

Forcing myself up, I sprinted out through the side exit. Behind me, the sound of Daniel’s footsteps gained on me. I darted down turn after turn until I spotted a gap connecting to the passage on the other side. If I could squeeze through, I could lose him. I quickly measured the gap against my body.

It should fit!

Without hesitation, I pushed myself through. However, I got stuck midway, no matter how hard I shoved forward. I swore to myself that if I survived this ordeal, I would lose as much weight as humanly possible. But right now, fate was testing my strength against this wall.

“Claire, I see you!” Daniel’s voice echoed from a distance.

Luckily, he hadn't found me yet - he was just bluffing. I pushed myself forward with all my might.

“You don’t look too well, so I’m here to help you out.”

Daniel’s voice grew closer. Just as the sound of his rapid footsteps neared, a large hand grabbed my arm and pulled hard. My body cleared the wall, crashing right into a firm chest.

I looked up. Standing before me was the captain of the Oakridge Vipers hockey team, Victor Davis. Recognizing Victor, panic set in. I feared he would shout and give away my position to Daniel. Unexpectedly, he covered my mouth and pressed me flat against the wall, so Daniel wouldn't spot me even if he peered through the gap.

“Damn it! Where is she?” Daniel kicked a pile of discarded sports equipment nearby. “Just wait till I catch you. I’ll take some nude photos of you so you’ll obey me completely!”

My eyes widened in shock. I knew Daniel wanted to harm me, but I never expected him to be this vicious.

The very next second, my attention shifted to the man in front of me. Victor was pressed far too close, and his masculine scent caused the drug inside me to boil over even further.

I couldn't help but remember: whenever Daniel and his crew bullied me, Victor was always the one who stepped in to stop them. Though he never offered words of comfort, I always knew he was a good person. He never looked down on me for being fat, nor did he allow anyone on the hockey team to judge girls by their appearance.

I couldn't control the urge to press against Victor’s cool skin. I licked my lips slightly, my tongue brushing against his palm. At that moment, I felt both of us freeze.

If I said it was an accident, would Victor even believe me?

Only after Daniel’s footsteps faded away did Victor speak up. “Next time, use the main door.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling embarrassed that he had caught me stuck in a wall gap.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Hearing Victor’s voice, I realized my entire body was burning up. I slouched against the wall, unable to lift my feet. His cool palm pressed against my forehead and cheek. I gently cupped his hand, greedily holding it against my face.

“Could you...” I murmured.

“Could I what?” Victor asked promptly.

“Could you take me to Club Desire? I need to find someone to help me cool down.”

Club Desire was famous for letting patrons hire male hosts according to their preferences. And I had money - a lot of it. They wouldn't care if I was overweight; they wouldn't dare. I would rather sleep with one of those hosts than fall into Daniel’s hands.

Waiting in vain for Victor’s response, I pleaded again, “Please help me. I’ll pay you. As much as you want.”

“You want to sleep with them?”

I didn't hear Victor’s words clearly, only nodding at the word 'sleep'. “I’m so hot. I need someone to help me...”

Suddenly, Victor grabbed my chin and leaned down to kiss me.