2
I took out one hundred thousand dollars in high–interest loans in a single sitting.
Then I called my parents, told them I didn’t need an allowance anymore, and applied for off–campus housing. I would live off what I already had.
Even so, a heavy pressure lingered in my chest. The system’s parasitic effect on my body hadn’t vanished completely.
That afternoon, as I was leaving campus with a small bag, I saw Jessica and Ethan waiting for a car by the road, surrounded by a
gaggle of their followers,
They spotted me, their faces twisting into identical sneers.
“Freda!” Jessica called out, jogging over to me with a bright, cheerful expression. “What a coincidence! We were just talking about you. I’ve been thinking, ‘give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.‘ I’ve deci- ded to stop giving you money and help you find a part–time job instead.”
It’s amazing what money can do. Dressed head–to–toe in luxury brands, the old, insecure girl who used to subsist on the cheapest cafeteria food was gone. It was hard to believe this was the same person. I couldn’t help but wonder what dark magic she’d used to bind me.
She shoved a stack of flyers into my hand, her expression earnest. “I picked out all the best–paying jobs for you. Once you donate money you’ve earned with your own two hands, everyone will forgive you.” She sighed dramatically. “My eyes are killing me from searching for these. Anyway, I’m about to treat everyone to a five–star hotel buffet. How about you pick up the tab this time?”
I had never met anyone so shameless. She was spending my parents‘ money while trying to force me into working to fund her lifestyle. I glanced at the flyers. They were filled with shady gigs, including an ad for selling my own eggs.
12:16
Chapter 1
12.16
Just then, Ethan and the others sauntered over.
“What are you waiting for, Freda?” one of them scoffed. “Some of those jobs have application deadlines today. You’d better hurry.
They won’t wait for you.”
“Jessica’s parents just sent her another hundred grand,” another chimed in. “That’s more than your parents probably make in a lifet- ime. How can a poor girl like you just stand around doing nothing?”
A glittering Rolex had appeared on Ethan’s wrist, a model that screamed “chosen by a girlfriend” and was easily worth tens of thou- sands. He was burning through my money fast. No wonder he was so eager for me to earn more.
I couldn’t help but smirk. “As a student, I think my priority should be my studies,” I said with a pleasant smile. “From now on, I plan to live on thirty dollars a month. Not a penny more. I’d appreciate it if you all held me to that.”
I turned to leave, but a hand clamped down
“Is that how a charity case speaks to
benefactor?” Ethan snarled, flinging my arm away
as
if he’d touched something filthy. ”
parasite?!”
Jessica went to all this trouble to help you, and you’re just going to walk away? Do you enjoy being a Jessica
His cold, menacing gaze merged with
of his eyes as he watched me die in my past life. My breath caught in my throat.
He shoved me to the ground again before turning to leave with Jessica. But this time, a thought struck me. It wasn’t just about
/sucking up to Jessica. It felt like… he genuinely hated me.
