Chapter 4
Serena raised her head, her gaze meeting Gabriel’s.
Once again, he asked. “Will you stay with me?”
She pressed her lips together before replying, “No.”
Gabriel smirked, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out her debit card, and handed it to her.
“Next time you see me, keep your distance,” he said, his tone low and deliberate.
To Serena, his words felt less like a reminder and more like a warning.
She nodded. “You don’t need to worry, Mr. Harrington. If I had left my card at the hotel, I wouldn’t have come to see you today.
In truth, she didn’t want to see him again. Every encounter left her feeling adrift.
His presence stirred memories of that scorching summer day, and now, the absurdity of last night.
In her twenty years, Serena had never been in a relationship. Her first intimate encounter had been with him–just night.
last
In Pashew’s social circles, Gabriel was lauded as the “golden bachelor–a man of impeccable reputation, untouchable and flawless.
At twenty–six, he was renowned for his clean record of never being linked to any
woman.
But the man Serena had faced last night was far from that idealized image. She now realized how deceiving appearances could be.
After leaving the café, Serena immediately transferred the 2,000 dollars to the hospital account.
If it hadn’t been for the events of last night, which had cost her job at the Rose Garden, she wouldn’t have been so desperate But now, she was resolute. She would never take such a path again. Whatever lingering thoughts she had about Gabriel, she no longer felt regret.
Tucking her bank card away, she opened her banking app to check her balance.
This semester, she couldn’t afford tuition and would have to take leave of absence, vacating her dorm
With the 170 dollars from her part–time job, she hoped to find a mall place to stay, even if it meant moving to the roughest part of the city.
But when her balance appeared on the screen, she froze, certain the must have made a mistake.
“That’s… one zero, two, three. She counted the zeros of her balance, her voice trembling
Her account showed 152,500 dollars.
Gabriel had transferred her that much.
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Chapter 4
Only then did she realize the earlier notification wasn’t for the 150 thousand dollar transfer. The bank message hadn’t specified the amount.
He had promised 1,700 dollars and added an extra 330 dollars, which she already thought was generous.
But this inexplicable 170,000 dollars left her completely stunner
Serena turned back toward Caffe Elysée, determined to return the money. However, the doorman stopped her at the
entrance.
“Apologies, miss. Without a membership or an invitation, you can’t enter, the doorman explained politely.
With no other options, Serena walked away, her mind spinning with ways to return the money.
As work hours approached, she hurried back to Stella Learning.
During a break, she sent Gabriel a message about the 170,000 dollars.
But as soon as she hit send, she noticed the gray single tick on her screen–the message hadn’t been delivered.
Her heart sank. Gabriel had blocked her WhatsApp account.
In the dorm room of Ashport University’s art department, Amiy Duarte had just returned from a finance lecture
She found Serena sitting cross–legged on her bed, sketchbook on her lap, munching on a taco while drawing.
“Serena, tacos again?” Amiya teased, setting her bag down.
Serena waved cheerfully. “Tacos are easy to find. Want one?”
Amiya knew better. The real reason Serena ate tacos was because they were cheap–0.4 dollars for vegetarian, $0.7 for meat Serena always chose vegetarian.
It wasn’t about preference.
Half a month ago, after losing her job at the Rose Garden, Serena had spent her last savings on her brother’s medical bills, leaving her with just 3 dollars.
Even now, with a little more money, she was careful not to spend recklessly.
Amiya grabbed the sketchbook from Serena’s hands and placed loaded hot dog on the desk in front of her.
“Those tacos are way too dry and light. Eat something greasy for change. The chef at the stand likes me and gave me extra toppings. I can’t finish it all–let’s share”
The smell of the hot dog was enticing, but Serena hesitated.
Over the past month, Amiya had often brought her food, intentionally or not, and she already felt guilty accepting it.
“I’m not in a hot dog mood today. You can have it,” Serena said softly.
Amiya frowned. “There too much of it. I’ll never finish it on my own. Plus, I have got some juicy gossip to share.”
Seçing Amiya’s determination, practically shoving the hot dog her face, Serena finally relented. She smiled her thanks
and took a bite.
Cuess who I saw on campus today! Amiya said excitedly.
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Chapter 4
“Who?” Serena asked casually
“Gabriel Harrington! One of the youngest CEO in the IT industry, leader of Quasar, the city’s golden bachelor!”
Amiya pulled out her phone and showed Serena a photo she’d taken earlier.
“He’s so handsome!” she gushed, showing off the picture.
In the photo, Gabriel was standing behind a podium in the university auditorium, mid–speech. His sharp, striking features were impossible to ignore..
Serena’s heart skipped a beat. She glanced at the image, her eyes narrowing slightly in thought.
While Amiya was busy chatting with their roommates, Serena discreetly forwarded the photo to herself.
When Amiya turned back, she nudged Serena, urging her to look closer. “Zoom in on his neck!”
The picture was crystal clear. Upon enlarging it, a faint scratch was visible on the side of Gabriel’s neck.
Serena’s breath caught. She recognized the mark immediately–she had left it last night.
Feeling a wave of guilt, she avoided Amiya’s gaze, her checks flushing
Unaware of Serena’s reaction, Amiya linked arms with her and playfully shook her. “Right? Isn’t he gorgeous? Way better than Chase Moore.
“And Chase is supposed to be the hottest guy on campus! By the way, is Chase still asking you out?”
Serena agreed. Gabriel’s face was the kind that lingered in one’s memory, impossible to forget.
“It’s a shame, though. He’s probably just as much of a jerk as my ex, Amiya said, wrinkling her nose,
“You remember Carina Murry? The music department girl who got crushed by you in last year’s campus beauty contest? She was part of today’s event and presented Gabriel with flowers.”
Amiya crossed her arins indignantly. “And afterward? Gabriel had his assistant call her over to his Bentley. They were in there talking forever!”
Serena took another bite of her taco, but the spiced flavor now tasted bland and unremarkable.
Amiya kept going. “When Carina got back, she wouldn’t stop bragging about riding in Gabriel’s Bentley. She even said he invited her to dinner! Ugh, men are all pigs!”
Serena sighed helplessly and nodded in agreement.
Her fingers tightened around her fork as she recalled overhearing Gabriel talking to his assistant the previous night–about finding a “clean and pure college girl.”
And now, after asking her earlier if she’d stay with him, he had apparently moved on to someone else by the afternoon. A bitter smile crept onto Serena’s lips. ‘After all these years, he hasn’t changed at all
“One new woman a day? STD must be a friend of his,” she muttered angrily under her breath, already deciding she’d need to schedule a checkup for STDs soon.
The next day, as Serena returned to campus, she noticed a familiar Bentley parked near the entrance.
Carina stepped out, holding an elegant blue velvet gift box that looked expensive.
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Chapter 4
On her way back to the douy, rumors about Carina’s date with Cabriel Harrington spread quickly.
One student clicked his tongue. “That Bentley picked her up again at noon today, and she just got back now.”
Another smirked mockingly. “Better stay out of her way. Even if she’s just his kept woman, she’s out of our league.”
Back at the dorm. Amiya was already gossiping about Carina with their roommates.
“She’s already strutting around like she owns the place! Amiya scoffed, rolling her eyes.
Another girl, scrolling on her phone, sneered, “She even posted about it on X. Look–inside that velvet box is a sapphire necklace. She captioned it, A LITTLE GIFT I GOT TODAY.”
Someone else leaned over and gasped. That has to be worth a fortune. That sapphire is huge–easily worth a hundred thousand!”
70%I
Serena stayed out of the conversation, greeted her friends briefly and climbed into bed, pulling the covers over her head.
As she was drifting off to sleep. Amiya poked her through the blanket.
“Serena, your phone’s been buzzing non–stop, Amiya said.
Serena sat up, realizing she had silenced her phone and missed the calls.
When she checked, she saw an unfamiliar number. She hesitated but answered.
“Is this Serena Murry?” a stranger asked..
“Yes. Clearing her throat, she replied. “Yes, this is her
The person asked, “I saw your resume on the part–time platform. You play piano?”
Serena perked up immediately. “Yes, I do. I can play most songs as long as they aren’t too complex.
There was some noise in the background on the other end. “We’re short a pianist here. I’ll send you the location–be there on time tomorrow!”
Before she could respond, the call ended, and moments later, the location arrived via text
Serena turned to Amiya. “Amiya, is the Eternal Club the place you went to last time?”
Amiya sipped her bubble tea. “Yeah, that’s the one. Are you working there?”
Serena nodded.
After thinking for a moment, Amiya reassured her, “It’s a nightclub, but their security and management are solid. You don’t have to worry.”
Then Amiya handed her something with a grin. “Take this, and you’ll be fine!”
The next day, with no afternoon classes, Serena returned to campus early to practice piano,
As she approached the music building, she noticed the same familiar Bentley parked nearby.
Through the car’s tinted windows, she could see Carina, dressed in a sleek black dress. She was leaning close, speaking to someone in the back seat.
Serena froze. Her grip on her bag tightened instinctively.
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Chapter 4
Without another glance, she turned and walked away.
