Chapter 3

I applied for leave to return to my hometown so I could arrange Mom's funeral.

I only wanted to apply for a leave of absence, but the university expelled me due to my "terrible conduct that affected the university's image."

The scholarship funds that I had planned to use for Mom's funeral were also revoked.

I fell to my knees in the office, pleading with the faculty to return my scholarship. That was when I saw Fiona.

She was clinging to one of the university's shareholders as she mocked, "So what if you've got both the brains and beauty? You've thrown away your dignity just for money!

"You probably aren't aware of this, but you could've gotten that ten grand. My mother works as a cleaning lady for the Carrells, so I knew that Luke was filthy rich."

Her eyes turned venomous as she continued, "You're just a little prettier than I am. So why did he reject me but add you on his own volition? If I couldn't get what I wanted, why should you have been able to get it so easily? Anyway, I got the scholarship today, and I'm feeling fantastic. Here's ten bucks."

She pulled out a ten-dollar bill from what was supposed to be my scholarship fund and threw it at my face.

Then, she leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Just sell your body if you're desperate for money. I was kind enough to Photoshop your face and get you good buyers. You really should be thanking me."

That was when everything became clear to me. Fiona had orchestrated nearly all of my misfortune. I was in such a state of despair that I leaped off the university rooftop moments later.

However, when I opened my eyes, I realized that I had returned to the day that Luke posted his recruitment notice.

Fiona had stopped me in my past life for fear that I would easily get my hands on that ten grand. Well, I was going to do just that and save Mom!

I lowered my gaze to Fiona, who was struggling to stand. Her face was twisted in pain.

I parted my lips and said coldly, "Go ahead and report me. I refuse to believe that the faculty will revoke my scholarship just because I got myself a part-time job."

Fiona, caught off guard by my confidence, muttered under her breath, "Stop lying to yourself. A plus one? More like a high-class escort."

Then, she seemed to regain her confidence the longer she spoke as she added, "As your roommate, I'm just trying to steer you away from making a mistake. Why are you being so stubborn?"

Luke then sent me a message saying that he would arrive at my dormitory soon. I ignored Fiona and got ready to leave.

Luke was already waiting next to his Rolls-Royce.

Unfortunately, the pest, Fiona, blocked my way at the dorm entrance, gripping my arm tightly. "I can't just stand idly by as you ruin your life! Are you seriously going to sell your body like that?"

When she noticed that she had gotten everyone's attention, a flicker of satisfaction appeared in her eyes as she donned a worried expression. "You can't sell your body just because you're desperate for money! You're my roommate. If you really need help, I'm willing to starve myself just to help you."

She acted as though she was doing this for my sake.

Just then, an irritated voice cut through the air. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting? I'm just looking for a plus one! What do you mean by selling her body? Are you trying to get my ass beat?"

The person speaking was furious and frustrated. Soon, a tall figure appeared before us.

Fiona instinctively flinched when her eyes landed on Luke.

Meanwhile, Luke hadn't even recognized her due to the heavily edited picture she had sent him.

When Fiona realized this, she immediately regained her arrogance. "How am I in the wrong here? Why do you need to find a pretty female university student you don't even know just to be your plus one?"

Then, she pointed at Luke and said disparagingly, "Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you're rich? How dare you offer ten grand just to buy a woman's chastity!"