The moment Isabella exposed her past remarks in front of everyone, Brianna Monroe's composure cracked. A flicker of embarrassment crossed her face before it hardened into anger.
"Isabella Sinclair, stop twisting the truth!" she snapped. "You're the one who couldn't resist temptation and ended up clinging to that bald man!"
Her voice rose, sharp and unforgiving.
"You're the one who betrayed Kobe Gray's sincerity. You don't even know what it means to value someone… but I do. I know exactly how rare someone like him is."
She took a step forward, eyes blazing.
"I can't just stand by and watch you hurt him like that."
For someone who had shared a dorm room with her, Brianna showed no mercy. Every word cut deep, dragging private matters out into the open without hesitation.
Kobe, meanwhile, leaned back slightly, resting his chin on his hand as he watched the scene unfold. The two girls stood locked in a heated argument, faces flushed, voices rising.
It was almost surreal.
Money really does change everything, he thought.
What had once been a fragile friendship had crumbled so easily, turning into open hostility in front of a crowd.
Of course, he wasn't blind to Brianna's intentions. Today's performance, her kindness, her defense of him, wasn't without motive. She wanted to win his favor, to get closer, maybe even to benefit from his newfound wealth.
But that didn't bother him.
Right now, money was the one thing he had in abundance. It came easily, endlessly.
And if Brianna's actions happened to make Isabella uncomfortable in the process… well, that was a bonus.
Watching Isabella's expression… her flushed cheeks, the hesitation in her eyes, Kobe felt a quiet sense of satisfaction.
'Serves you right.'
Still, one thing lingered in his mind.
He had checked before, Isabella's favorability toward Elon Muskov had been pitifully low. So why had she gone this far? Why agree to something like that?
Back in high school, she'd been proud. Almost untouchable.
How did things end up like this?
Isabella knew Elon was married. She had chosen to ignore it for the sake of money… but now, with Brianna dragging it into the open, it became a humiliation she couldn't escape.
The whispers started almost immediately.
"I've heard seniors say that on weekends, luxury cars come to pick up girls from campus…"
"What do you mean?"
"You don't know? It's girls being kept by rich men."
"Seriously? She got into a university like Oxford and still chose that path?"
"You don't get it. After graduation, you might only earn a few hundred a month."
"But if you catch a rich guy, that's thousands… without even working."
"Easy money, just keep him happy."
"And you still get time off," someone added with a laugh. "Try getting that in a real job."
The murmurs spread, growing louder, sharper.
Some voices carried envy, but most were laced with disdain.
Under those stares, Isabella felt as if the ground might swallow her whole.
"Brianna Monroe… I never want to see you again!" Her voice trembled as she spoke. "I even ordered your birthday cake in advance… I thought we were close."
Her words broke at the end, dissolving into quiet sobs.
She had believed they were friends… sisters, even. But now, in front of everyone, that illusion had shattered.
Her roommates came from better backgrounds. From the moment she arrived at university, she had tried to keep up, to belong. That was how she ended up with Elon Muskov in the first place.
And yet, in the end…
She was still nothing more than a joke to them.
A bitter realization settled in her chest.
If not for my vanity… would things have turned out differently?
But regret came too late.
There was no turning back.
Kobe watched her for a moment, something complicated stirring in his chest.
After all, she had once been his first love. He had given her everything he could.
No matter how much time passed, it was impossible to feel nothing at all.
But some things, once broken, were better left that way.
A good horse doesn't go back to graze old grass, he reminded himself.
The past was over.
It was time to let it end properly.
"Alright, that's enough." Kobe stood, his voice calm but firm. "Stop arguing."
He glanced at Brianna, cutting her off before she could say anything more, then looked at Isabella.
"You should go."
There was no anger in his tone… only a quiet finality.
Brianna caught the cue immediately and fell silent.
[The system has detected that the host is speaking with a member of the opposite sex.]
[Heartbeat: 5. Conditions met.]
[Binding successful.]
Kobe blinked, momentarily thrown off.
'Now it triggers?'
'Just moments ago, it had failed. Now, suddenly…'
'Did my attitude change something?'
He clicked his tongue inwardly, a little annoyed.
Still, it didn't matter much. Whether the system bound him to Isabella or not made little difference now.
What did bother him was the number.
Five points.
After everything they'd been through… that was all her feelings amounted to?
Even Elon Muskov.. of all people… had scored the same.
The thought left a bitter taste.
Across from him, Isabella stared at Kobe, something shifting quietly in her eyes.
At her lowest moment, the person she had hurt the most hadn't mocked her or turned away. Instead, he had stepped in and stopped things from getting worse.
Memories resurfaced… high school days, simple moments, the way he had once looked at her.
Regret hit her all at once.
Isabella Sinclair: Favorability +5
Current favorability: 10
Kobe exhaled softly.
'Well… at least it's higher than his now.'
Seeing that Isabella still hadn't moved, he decided not to let things drag on.
"Brianna," he said, turning casually, "I heard your birthday's coming up?"
The shift in topic was smooth—but deliberate.
Brianna's eyes lit up instantly.
'Is he… going to give me a gift?'
Her heart skipped a beat. Today's effort might actually pay off sooner than she expected.
Still, she kept her expression composed, even a little shy.
"Kobe, we're about the same age. You don't have to call me 'senior,' it sounds too distant." She smiled, voice softening. "Just call me Brianna."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing.
"My birthday's this weekend. I'm renting a villa and inviting a few friends for a party… if you're free, you should come."
Her eyes lingered on him, full of quiet suggestion.
Kobe's lips curved slightly.
'Perfect.'
'A legitimate reason to spend money, without raising suspicion.'
'And more importantly…'
'A party meant more people.'
'More people meant more opportunities.'
'Plenty of potential targets.'