Chapter 4

I checked WhatsApp and saw a three-person group chat called "The Bet" pinned right at the top.

My heart gave a sudden jolt. I couldn't shake off a sense of dread.

I opened the group chat, and right at the top of the messages was a photo.

It was me from that day, wearing a white T-shirt, showing off my curves, looking vulnerable yet seductive.

A person wrote: [Russell, this chick's got it going on. Her body is seriously top-notch.]

Another wrote: [She looks all innocent, but damn, she really knows how to tempt a guy.]

My heart was racing, my fingers shaking as I tapped on the voice message from Russell. "She is interesting. With a body like that, it'd be a waste not to take her to bed."

I kept scrolling.

Every time I bumped into him, every time I confessed my feelings to him, he would make fun of me, giving live commentary in the group.

A person asked: [Russell, how long are you planning to play this time?]

Russell replied: [Let's see how long she can keep up the act.

[Wait till she thinks she's actually won you over, then kick her to the curb. That's the real fun.]

I gripped my phone, feeling chills run down my spine, like I'd just been drenched in ice water.

All my so-called cleverness and every calculated step was nothing but a clumsy, ridiculous performance to him.

The overwhelming shame, the fury of being made a fool of, and the fear of what might happen next crashed over me like a tidal wave.

The bathroom door swung open.

I couldn't even put my phone down. My body went rigid as I looked up.

Russell was standing there, a towel slung low around his waist, water still dripping from his dark hair.

He leaned against the bathroom doorframe, pulled out a cigarette from his pack, and lit it.

Through the swirling smoke, he looked down at me, a mocking smirk playing on his lips.

He asked, "What's wrong, Amanda? Is your little performance falling apart?"

My mind went completely blank, but within seconds, I snapped back to reality.

If I admitted I was a gold digger, he'd throw me out like yesterday's trash, and all my efforts would go down the drain.

If I stormed out in anger, that would be exactly what he wanted. I'd be the running joke for his friends forever.

I couldn't let it end like this.

Under Russell's mocking stare, I forced myself to keep it together.

I said, "Fine, I admit it. I knew who you were all along.

"Who doesn't want to move up in the world? Is it wrong to want a good life?"

Russell blew out a smoke ring, took a step closer, his voice dripping with contempt.

He said, "That's right. Now get lost."

"Get lost?" I laughed.

This was my home, and he was telling me to leave. He had been the big shot for so long that he thought the whole world was his playground.

I pointed at the watch on the table, the one I'd practically bankrupted myself to buy.

I said, "Russell, if I was just here for a payday, would I have spent every last cent I had, even gone into debt, just to get you this watch?

"No gold digger would throw in everything she owns before seeing a single dime in return, right?"

Russell was momentarily stunned.

Without missing a beat, I pressed my advantage and went in for round two.

My eyes stung with tears. "Yeah, I wanted your money. I won't lie.

"But of all things, I never should have actually caught feelings for you while I was playing this game.

"I thought you were nothing like those spoiled rich kids Zoe hangs out with."

My voice shot up, raw and desperate. "I put my dignity, my future, everything I had on you.

"And what did I get? To you, I'm just a joke, something for you and your friends to laugh at."

With that, I snatched up the watch from the table and hurled it to the floor, shattering it.

I stared at the wreckage, my heart bleeding, but my expression was determined and unyielding.

"I'm done with the money, and I'm done playing this part," I said.

I spun around, yanked the door open, and bolted out.

I was betting he'd stop me.

Just like I predicted, right as I was about to step out into the hallway, someone grabbed me by the waist from behind and dragged me back.

The door slammed shut with a bang.

Russell pressed me up against the door, his gaze stormy and impossible to read as he stared at me.

Russell smirked, "So you admit you're after my money? Good. Let's lay it all out, no more games.

"Stay here. Be mine. I've got plenty of cash. Just play by my rules."

I coldly pushed him away, putting some space between us.

I said, "I don't want to be your toy, Russell. You want to buy me? My price is sky-high."

Russell just laughed, pulled out his phone, and started typing something in.

The next second, my phone buzzed with a transfer notification. The amount was unreal.

He asked, "Is that enough?

"If it's not, I'll add more. As long as you keep playing your role and keep me satisfied, you'll never have to worry about money ever again."

I stared down at the message, the rush of pure elation almost spilling out of me.

That night, I lay in Russell's arms, fully aware he still didn't completely trust me.

But as long as he didn't throw me out, as long as this arrangement stayed in place, that was all I needed to win.