Chapter 1

Only one week after transferring to this elite private university, four of the most popular guys on campus started hitting on me all at once.

Chase Sterling, the football team captain, asked me out for a candlelit dinner.

Lucas Hayes, the star hockey player, confessed his feelings to me publicly right after winning his match.

Julian Reed, the lead singer of the campus rock band, wrote a song for me and serenaded me in front of the entire student body.

Cole Montgomery, a signed agency model, personally slipped a custom diamond necklace with my initials around my neck.

The girls on campus were burning with jealousy:

"Did this broke scholarship girl slip them a potion or something? What does she even have?"

To be honest, even I was confused.

Back in my old high school, boys were terrified of me.

Why was everyone suddenly treating me like a prize?

That was until one night, when I accidentally stumbled across a private thread on the school's frat board.

"Bet: whoever gets this new poor girl into bed within a month takes the pot."

Attached right below the post was a picture of my face.

Turns out, their passionate pursuit was nothing more than a twisted fraternity game.

What they didn't know was that I wasn't broke at all.

In fact, my transfer to this school was also the result of a bet.

My dad is the wealthiest man in the country. Ever since I turned eighteen, wealthy heirs had been lining up at our door, begging for an arranged marriage.

I hated the idea of an arranged marriage.

So, I begged my dad to hide my identity, letting me transfer here as an ordinary girl to find real love.

If I found someone who loved me for who I was, Dad promised he'd never force another match on me.

Looking at it now, none of these men were even remotely worthy.

The comment section under the post was vile.

"A month? She'll be crawling into Chase's bed within a week."

"I bet she'll sleep with all four of them. Have you seen the way she drools over them? Like a desperate puppy."

"Poor thing, becoming their new prey right after transferring. Remember the last girl? Two abortions, and she's still rotting in a clinic."

"Looks to me like she's enjoying it."

"Come on, she's a nobody. That diamond necklace alone could pay her rent for ten years. She's already won the lottery."

The post had been created by Chloe, the varsity cheer captain.

Clutching my phone, I went to confront her, only to see her sitting snugly between Chase and Lucas outside the frat lounge.

Chase looked down at her with an indulgent smile.

"If I actually sleep with that broke girl, Lynn, you won't get jealous, right?"

Chloe flipped her hair with supreme arrogance.

"Jealous? Of her? Never!"

Lucas smirked and chimed in.

"Girls like her are just playthings. Our sweet Chloe doesn't need to waste her tears on trash."

Cole raised his glass toward Chloe.

"Put your money on me. I'm definitely taking the prize."

Lucas scoffed.

"Keep dreaming. Lynn already promised to sit front row at my next hockey game. I'm taking the win."

Peeking through the crack of the door, I got a good look at Chloe's face.

She was pretty, sure, but in high society circles, she was completely mediocre.

I honestly couldn't comprehend how these four guys were wrapped around her finger like loyal dogs.

I shook my head in utter disgust.

My real name is Evelyn Anderson.

Ever since I came of age, my father had tried setting me up with heirs from allied conglomerates.

Naturally, spoiled and strong-willed as I was, I rolled my eyes:

"Dad, what century is this? Arranged marriages?"

"Besides, you're already the richest man alive. Do you really need to sell your daughter to expand your empire?"

"I want real love!"

My dad had just sighed helplessly.

"You think those boys will love you for who you are? They only love your family's empire."

"How about a bet? Live as an ordinary girl, date around without a cent to your name."

"If you can find someone who truly loves you, I promise I will never push another man onto you."

And just like that, I showed up at this university disguised as a penniless scholarship student.

Right then, one of Chase's football buddies tapped me on the shoulder from behind:

"Hey, are you looking for Chase?"

Everyone inside the room snapped their heads toward me.

The room fell dead silent before Chase recovered and broke the ice.

"Lynn? How long have you been standing there?"

I acted completely oblivious, putting on a naive smile.

"Just got here! I came looking for Cole. We had dinner plans tonight, remember?"

Cole didn't miss a beat. He stepped forward and immediately took my hand.

"That's right. Tonight, I'm taking you to the most luxurious restaurant in town."

Chase cut in with a charming smile.

"Why don't we all go together?"

Before I knew it, I was ushered into their luxury sports car, cruising straight toward the city's most exclusive three-Michelin-star establishment.

I blinked in mild amusement. Wait, didn't my dad buy this place for me?

He literally hired this world-renowned French executive chef just to cook for me whenever I visited, turning it into a private restaurant on the side.

The second we walked in, the general manager rushed forward with utmost respect, opening his mouth to greet me by my real name.

I gave him a subtle, stern shake of my head.

The manager caught on instantly.

Cole pulled out a chair for me like a perfect gentleman.

"Order whatever you like. Don't worry about the prices."

Julian even leaned in, pretending to worry that I wouldn't recognize the gourmet ingredients, walking me through the pairings of each sauce with practiced fake warmth.