Saved by the richest and baddest guy in campus

CHAPTER ONE — THE GIRL WITH THE WORN-OUT SHOES Amara Daniels hated walking across the university campus. Not because she hated school. She loved school. She hated the way people looked at her. Her faded backpack hung from one shoulder as she hurried toward the lecture hall, holding three old textbooks against her chest. Her shoes were worn out. Her clothes were simple. And compared to the students around her, she looked like she didn't belong. "Look who's here," a girl's voice suddenly mocked. Amara stopped. Vanessa Whitmore stood with her group of friends, dressed in an expensive designer outfit. Her eyes traveled from Amara's shoes to her faded backpack. "Girl, are those shoes older than you?" The girls laughed. Amara lowered her eyes. "Leave her alone, Vanessa," Zara said, stepping forward. Vanessa rolled her eyes. "Why are you always defending her? Is poverty contagious?" More laughter. Amara felt her eyes burn. She turned and walked away. She refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of them. But when she reached the bathroom, she locked herself inside a stall and finally allowed the tears to fall. Her phone vibrated. It was a message from her mother. Mom: I'm sorry, my daughter. I couldn't send your allowance this week. Things are difficult. Amara stared at the message. Her heart sank. She had barely eaten that day. Her school fees were overdue. And now she had received another warning from the university. She wiped her tears. "You're going to survive this," she whispered to herself. But she didn't know that someone was about to enter her life and turn everything upside down. Someone she would initially hate. Someone who would hurt her. Someone who would eventually save her. Ethan Kingsley. CHAPTER TWO — THE RICHEST BOY ON CAMPUS The entire campus went silent whenever Ethan Kingsley arrived. A black luxury car slowly entered the university gates. Students turned. Whispers filled the air. "That's Ethan." "He's so handsome." "Look at that car!" "His father owns half the businesses in this city." Ethan stepped out. Tall. Young. Ridiculously handsome. Black shirt. Silver chain. Expensive watch. His expression was cold enough to make people move out of his way. He wasn't called the richest and baddest guy on campus for nothing. He had money. Power. Influence. And absolutely no patience. Jayden walked beside him. "You know, bro, one day you're going to smile and the whole campus will collapse." Ethan smirked. "Then I'll stop smiling." They walked toward the lecture hall. And that's when Ethan saw her. Amara. She was sitting beneath a tree, desperately trying to repair the strap of her old shoe. Ethan stopped. Jayden followed his gaze. "Who?" "Nobody." But Ethan kept staring. Amara suddenly dropped one of her books. Ethan walked over. He picked it up. "You're dropping things." Amara looked up. Their eyes met. For a second, neither spoke. "Here." He handed her the book. "Thank you." She reached for it. But Ethan noticed her hands trembling. "You okay?" "I'm fine." She grabbed the book and stood. Ethan noticed her worn-out shoes. He said nothing. But Vanessa had seen everything. And she wasn't happy. CHAPTER THREE — THE BET "What the hell are you doing?" Vanessa stormed toward Ethan. Everyone nearby turned to watch. Ethan looked at her calmly. "Helping someone." "Her?" Vanessa laughed bitterly. "You don't help people like her." Amara's face fell. Ethan's expression changed. "People like her?" Vanessa crossed her arms. "Don't pretend you don't understand." Ethan looked at Amara. Then back at Vanessa. "You have a problem?" "Yes." She pointed at Amara. "I bet you can't even make that girl fall for you." Jayden laughed. "Vanessa, don't do this." But Ethan's ego had already been challenged. He stepped closer. "How long?" Vanessa smiled. "Thirty days." Ethan smirked. "Fine." Amara looked confused. Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "Thirty days. Make her fall in love with you." Ethan laughed. "And when she does?" "Break her heart." Ethan's smile became colder. "Deal." Neither Ethan nor Vanessa noticed Amara standing a few feet away. She had heard everything. Her heart shattered. She looked at Ethan. Their eyes met. For the first time, she saw something beyond arrogance in his eyes. She saw cruelty. Amara picked up her bag. "You're disgusting." She walked away. Ethan's smile disappeared. For some strange reason... Her words hurt. CHAPTER FOUR — THE BULLY From that day, Ethan made Amara's life miserable. He deliberately sat beside her in class. He stole her pen. He mocked her clothes. He called her "Scholarship Girl." Sometimes, he would walk past her with his friends and say loudly: "Careful. Don't breathe too close. You might catch poverty." Everyone laughed. Amara pretended not to care. But every night, she cried. She began skipping meals. She stopped attending social events. She stopped answering Zara's calls. Her grades started dropping. One afternoon, Amara sat alone behind the library. She stared at her phone. Another message from the university. FINAL NOTICE: Outstanding tuition balance. She closed her eyes. "I can't do this anymore." A voice came from behind her. "You shouldn't say things like that." Amara turned. Ethan stood there. She quickly wiped her face. "Go away." "I wasn't trying to—" "Just go!" Ethan froze. For the first time, he noticed how tired she looked. Not just physically. Emotionally. He suddenly felt guilty. But instead of apologizing, his pride took over. "Fine." He walked away. Yet something inside him had changed. The thirty-day bet suddenly didn't feel funny anymore. #vote#