Chapter 2

Laughter rippled through the classroom. "Come on, Chloe’s already spent a fortune on him. What's one more semester of tuition to her?"

A cold smirk touched my lips.

Julian suddenly snapped, his voice ringing across the room:

"I may be poor, but I have my pride! I'd rather drop out than take another cent of Chloe Vance's charity!"

With his chin held high, he marched over to my desk.

"Don't even think about buying me with your wealth anymore. I would rather starve in the streets than be with someone like you!"

Hearing that, a chill ran down my spine, followed by sudden clarity.

Julian had regressed, too.

In our previous life, he would have frowned, played the reluctant martyr, and quietly pocketed my money anyway.

This time, he had openly rejected me.

Splendid. What a spine.

Without missing a beat, I turned and handed the thick envelope of cash straight to the professor.

"Professor, since the university offers grants for students in need, I’d like to donate this money directly to the student hardship fund. I hope it helps someone who actually deserves it."

The professor froze. Julian froze, too.

"Chloe, did I hear that right? Isn't this... for Julian?"

I nodded, locking eyes with Julian.

His face shifted from haughty triumph to pure shock and mortification.

The wealthy heiress who had kissed the ground he walked on had suddenly cut him off. His fragile, arrogant ego couldn't take the hit.

He scoffed, trying to regain his footing. "Chloe, stop playing hard to get. I told you, I won't accept your money."

"Unless... you swear in front of everyone that you won't force me to date you. If you do that, I might reconsider and let you sponsor me."

I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach.

I raised my voice so the whole room could hear: "Mr. Reed, I never said this money was for you. Whether you swallow your pride and apply for financial aid or pack your bags and drop out is none of my business."

The spectators erupted into wild laughter.

Julian had always prided himself on being the cold, unbothered prince, but he was too accustomed to having the upper hand. After a split second of panic, he straightened up.

"Everything you gave me before was your own choice," he declared, glaring at me. "Don't delude yourself into thinking we have a future. Swear to everyone right now that you won't pressure me to be your boyfriend, and I'll graciously accept your sponsorship so I can finish my degree."

The sheer audacity...

Even the students sitting around us couldn't hold back their snickers. It was the first time anyone had seen a beggar act like an entitled prince demanding tribute.

"Is Julian deaf? Chloe literally just said she's donating it to the university fund. When did she offer to sponsor him?"

"Seriously. If Chloe hadn't spent years spoiling him, where would a broke guy get the nerve to act so entitled?"

"Wait, did Chloe really harass him that badly just because he's hot?"

Whispers spread like wildfire, quickly shifting toward whether I had used my wealth to corner him.