Chapter 7
988 Words
When I asked the question, Vincent looked surprised for a moment. Then, he said mysteriously, "I can't reveal the third challenge yet, but I promise it will be a huge surprise for you!"
"Alright, if you don't want to tell me, I won't push," I said, leaving the villa. 'However, I was a bit stressed about the challenge of having to be with a woman within three months. Spending five million is easy, but I don't want to be with just anyone. I need love, not just physical pleasure.'
As I was thinking about this, I suddenly heard the sounds of a fight coming from a dark alley ahead.
At first, I didn't want to get involved. But as I got closer, I realized the person being beaten was a girl, and her voice sounded familiar. "Mr. Hunter, please, just give me a few more days for the two hundred thousand. I promise I'll pay it back."
Lola? I stopped in surprise. Their conversation continued from the darkness.
"Stupid b*tch, you promised to pay today!"
"Mr. Hunter, I really didn't mean to lie. I thought I could pay today, but somehow..."
"Stop talking nonsense. If you don't have the money, why don't you become a prostitute? With your looks, you won't have trouble earning money."
"Mr. Hunter, please, just one more day, okay?" Lola pleaded, her voice trembling.
"One day? Fine, but if you can't pay by this time tomorrow, don't blame me for being ruthless." With that, the man called Mr. Hunter left.
I shook my head and quickly walked over to Lola, turning on my phone's flashlight. In the light, I saw her curled up against the wall, trembling, her face dirty, and her pretty dress torn and tattered. She looked nothing like the proud and arrogant girl from before.
"Who are you? Turn off the light!" Lola tried to shield her face, not wanting anyone to see her in this state.
Ignoring her, I squatted down and continued shining the light on her. "Oh, look who it is! It's Lola! So, two hundred thousand got you into this mess? I thought you were close with Skyler and Ray? Why aren't they helping you?"
"Go away! What I do is none of your business!" Lola snapped.
"Ha, you're about to turn to prostitution, so of course, it's my business. I don't want to be embarrassed by someone from my school. Tell you what, to save our school's reputation, beg me, and I'll lend you the two hundred thousand. How about that?" I said, patting my backpack for emphasis.
"Beg you?" Lola scoffed. "Dream on. I, Lola, would never bow down to someone like you."
"Good for you. I hope things go well for you." I chuckled, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and walked away.
***
It was past 2 a.m. when I returned to my rented room outside the school.
So much had happened in the past day. I lay in bed, unable to sleep. Then I suddenly thought of something serious.
'If Lola couldn't pay her debt and got beaten up, would Evelyn face the same problem? I needed to help her.' I got out of bed and turned on my computer.
'I really liked Evelyn, my beautiful mentor. Despite her cold demeanor, she had a kind heart. She treated all students equally, even me, the poorest in the department. When I couldn't pay my tuition, she helped me out.
My feelings for her were complicated. There was respect and gratitude, but also a bit of romantic interest. Regardless of the nature of my feelings, I couldn't ignore her trouble, and it would also help me spend the five million.'
I opened an instant messaging app and registered a new account named "King," then sent her a friend request. She rejected it almost immediately. 'But I was happy, at least it meant she was online.'
[Number 31, don't you remember me?] I changed the request note and sent it again.
This time, she didn't reject it. Instead, I got a series of messages from her.
[?????"]
[!!!!!]
[Who are you? How do you know who I am??]
She was clearly surprised.
I replied calmly, [I saw you at the villa event. I was on the second floor.]
[You're the gold-masked man?!]
[Yes, that's me.]
[What do you want? Do you want to pick me now?]
[Sort of. I'm very interested in you.]
[Then why didn't you pick me then?]
[It's not that I didn't pick you. I didn't pick anyone. Believe it or not, even though I'm very wealthy, I’m not a fan of those sort of wild parties. That event was arranged by someone else. By the way, send me your bank account, I'll transfer you some money.]
[Are you serious?] Evelyn seemed doubtful but still sent her account details. She must have been in real trouble.
[Name: Evelyn Harper, Account: 7563...]
After receiving the information, I sent the account number to Vincent.
Worried that he might be asleep, I called him directly. "Uncle Sterling, transfer some money from my account, five hundred thousand will do. The account details are in the message I sent you."
"Reason for spending?"
"Helping my teacher."
"Alright, Young Master!" Vincent wasn't angry at being woken up. His voice was as respectful as ever. "The money has been transferred. The recipient should receive it in a minute at most."
"Got it." I hung up and prepared to tell Evelyn.
But she messaged first. [Oh my God, the money's here already. That was so fast! Do you own the bank?]
I smiled at the message. Well, technically, I do own the bank. But I wasn't going to tell her that.
[Glad you received it.] I replied.
[Where are you? I want to see you.] She sent another message, simple and direct.
Realizing what she meant, I felt a bit nervous. She was serious... she really wanted to come over.
- Writer
