Some trust-fund kid strolled into the amusement park and, not wanting to wait in line, offered to buy my best friend and me out of our spots near the front. When Mia heard the offer, she exploded. "Money can't buy you everything! We may be poor, but we have dignity. You want our spots? Dream on!" She grabbed my arm, her voice a fierce whisper. "Leah, we worked hard for this day out. You're not just going to give up our spots, right? We have to have some self-respect." Her words almost convinced me to tell the guy to get lost. But then, a series of comments scrolled across my vision, like some kind of augmented reality feed: 【The main character is so naive. Last time, after she refused the rich heir, her 'best friend' immediately added him on social media behind her back, sold him the spots, and pocketed fifty grand.】 【Later, when the MC's parents got sick and she needed money, that same 'friend' not only refused to lend her a dime but pretended she didn't even know her. The MC ended up dying on the streets. A total tragedy.】 I froze, staring at the phantom text. Fifty grand? Just for giving up a spot in line? You should have led with that. 1 "We've been waiting since six this morning," Mia hissed in my ear, a frantic buzz of indignation. "We stood in this line for over an hour. These rich jerks just love to humiliate people. Don't you dare say yes." My head was spinning, the phantom comments still scrolling through my vision. 【Come on, MC, don't be an idiot. That's fifty thousand dollars. Don't listen to your trash friend and throw that away for 'dignity'.】 Crude, but true. All I could see were dollar signs. Fifty. Thousand. Dollars. I graduated a little over a year ago. My salary is barely four grand a month. It would take me years to save that much money. Decision made. I walked over to the guy, who was starting to look impatient. "No problem, sir. Fifty thousand, you said? I'm actually getting tired of waiting anyway. The spot's all yours." "Your Venmo." He pulled out his phone, flashing the screen at me. For a second, I thought it was a phone number, not a bank balance. "Leah, what are you doing?!" Mia shrieked, stomping her foot. "Have you no self-respect? Selling out for a little cash!" I ignored her, pulling out my own phone. 【What's happening? Did the main character just get a brain? This isn't how it's supposed to go.】 【No, this is perfect. The male lead likes people who know how to adapt. Arguing with him gets you nowhere. He was in a bad mood today and just came to the park to unwind, and the original MC just made things worse by being difficult.】 A soft ding from my phone confirmed the transfer. $50,000.00 received. A jolt went through me, making the hair on my arms stand up. My family has never seen this much money in one place. I just earned it by standing around for an hour. Somebody pinch me. Or slap me. This feels too easy; I'm almost suspicious. "Sir," I said, a brilliant idea striking me. "Since you've been so generous, let me make your day even better. What other rides do you want to hit? I'll go save you a spot. No charge, it's on the house." The comments had mentioned he was in a bad mood. A guy like him wouldn't just ride one roller coaster. He'd want the full VIP experience to blow off steam. He looked up, a flicker of what looked like approval in his eyes. He probably wasn't used to people being this accommodating. "Alright," he said. "Give me your number. I'll text you the rides I want to go on. Share your location so I can find you." "No way!" Mia lunged forward and snatched my phone. Her eyes were blazing. "Leah, have you lost your mind? You're just going to let this rich asshole treat you like his personal servant?" My friendly demeanor vanished. "Give me back my phone, Mia. This is my business, not yours." I held out my hand. Then, I turned back to the man. "What should I call you, sir?" "Reid. Share your location. I don't want you taking the money and running." The lights of the waiting area were dim, but his eyes seemed to glitter. I quickly looked away and started heading out of the line. Mia shouted my name a few times, but I didn't look back. I practically sprinted, afraid she'd slow me down and I'd miss getting to the next ride in time. 2 Reid texted me his next target: the pirate ship. I pulled up the park map and hurried over. On the way, I passed a convenience store and ducked inside, grabbing a bottle of ice-cold water and a small, portable fan. "Leah, come with me right now. Stop this." Mia had found me, and she grabbed my arm, trying to drag me out of the store. She was putting on her best 'I'm so worried about you' act. "What you're doing… it's no different from what those girls on the street do. You're selling yourself." I rolled my eyes so hard I felt a muscle pull. "Don't be so dramatic. How is this any different from my office job? I sell my time and energy to my boss there, too, and he pays me a hell of a lot less." "I'll transfer you five hundred dollars," I said, pulling away from her. "Get a cab and go home. If you still want to hang out, we can do it another time. Today's not going to work." "Five hundred?! He gave you fifty thousand!" she blurted out. And there it was. She wasn't mad for my sake. She was mad because she wasn't getting a cut. "Take it or leave it." I pushed past her and headed for the door. The next second, she crumpled to the floor with a dramatic cry. "Ow, ow, ow! My leg! I think my old injury is acting up! Leah, you have to take me to the hospital, I can't get up!" My first instinct was to rush over and check on her. But then, the comments flared to life again. 【She's faking it. Don't fall for it, MC. Her leg is perfectly fine.】 【The MC is too kind. Her so-called 'best friend' lied and said she broke her leg in a car crash while buying her a birthday present. The truth is, she wiped out on her boyfriend's motorcycle and was too scared to tell her parents, so she used the MC as a cover story.】 What? I stared at the text, my brain screeching to a halt. Two years ago, on my birthday, Mia called me from the hospital, hysterical. She'd been in a car accident, she said, and had broken her leg. I rushed over, paid her medical bills, and felt wracked with guilt when she told me it happened while she was on her way to buy my birthday gift. I ended up canceling my own birthday plans to take care of her. It was all a lie? She was the one who had been playing me for a fool all along. "Leah, hurry up and help me! I can't move!" Mia wailed from the floor. I turned to the store clerk. "I don't really know her," I said calmly. "She seems to be hurt. Could you please call an ambulance for her?" The clerk and a few other well-meaning customers immediately rushed to Mia's side, surrounding her. With so many people watching, she couldn't exactly jump up and say she was fine. She had no choice but to commit to the act. I slipped out the back door and made a beeline for the pirate ship. 3 By the time I was near the front of the line, Reid showed up. I handed him the cold water and switched on the mini-fan, aiming a pleasant breeze at his face. He visibly relaxed, his mood improving. With a grand wave of his hand, he sent another ten thousand dollars to my account. Once he seemed rested, I was off again, heading to the next attraction on his list. Luckily, I'd done my research before coming, planning out not just the best rides, but the best restaurants in the park too. By the end of the day, Reid was fed, thrilled, and actually smiling. As for me, I was exhausted, but my bank account had never been healthier. The final ride was the Ferris wheel. It was getting dark, and the park's fireworks show was about to start. The top of the Ferris wheel was the best spot for photos, and the line was already massive. I skipped dinner to race over and secure a prime spot for my golden goose. Reid strolled over after a leisurely meal. As I was about to give him the spot, he tossed a takeout bag at me. "You've worked hard all day. Eat something." I looked at the logo on the bag and felt a genuine pang of gratitude. I hadn't eaten partly because I wanted to hold his spot, but mostly because the park food was ridiculously expensive. I had a pack of ramen in my backpack, and I was planning on finding some hot water for it later. But now, the boss was treating me. I grinned like a fool and started to step away to find a bench. "Eat here," Reid said, stopping me. "You're coming on with me." I frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea. I only saved one spot." He made an impatient sound and turned to the guy behind him in line. "Hey, buddy. A thousand bucks to let my friend have your spot." The guy's eyes lit up, and he agreed instantly. Hang on. Did anyone ask for my opinion? I wasn't dying to ride the Ferris wheel. And getting into a small, private cabin with a guy I'd known for less than a day sounded… awkward. Reid seemed to read my mind. He gave me a light tap on the back of the head. "Don't overthink it. Who's going to take my picture if I go up alone?" Right. Sure. The bullet comments, however, had other ideas. 【Such a tsundere. He's totally falling for her. She's been a one-woman support crew all day—food when he's hungry, drinks when he's thirsty, disposable slippers when his feet hurt, and she even had bug spray when a mosquito bit him. Who wouldn't fall for a girl like that?】 I kept my head down, ignoring them. I'd packed all that stuff for myself. Reid just got lucky. Besides, I treated my old boss at the office with the same level of service. Reid was just another client. And who in their right mind falls for their boss? 4 By the time we left the park, the sky was pitch black. I figured a guy like Reid drove himself, so I was about to say my goodbyes and head for the subway when a fleet of black cars pulled up to the curb. Even a broke girl like me could tell from the logos that they were obscenely expensive. A sharply dressed middle-aged woman stepped out of the lead car. She radiated power. "Did you have a good time, son? Let's go home." "How did you know I was here?" Reid's voice was tight. "Did you have me followed again?" I hung back, trying to make myself invisible. This was family drama, and I wanted no part of it. The last train was leaving soon. "Young lady, wait a moment!" The woman—his mother, I presumed—spotted my escape attempt and called out to me. 【Quick, MC, go say hi! In the original story, the 'best friend' got her ticket into high society by sucking up to his mom!】 【Forget it. The MC is a total introvert. She sees a stranger and her first instinct is to bolt. Too bad. Mrs. Vance was so happy to see Reid enjoying himself, she was about to offer her a job as his personal companion. The pay is way better than her office job.】 The idea of marrying into a rich family held zero interest for me, but the word "job" made my ears perk up. I might be an introvert, but for the right price, I can be whatever you need me to be. I immediately shifted into work mode. "Yes, ma'am? How can I help you?" "I hear you spent the whole day with Reid. It's been a long time since I've seen him this happy. Would you be willing to… continue spending time with him?" The wording was a little strange, but I went with it. "If Mr. Vance needs me, I'm available. I know all the best spots, not just amusement parks, but all sorts of attractions." "That's wonderful! I can't stand seeing him cooped up at home playing video games all day. It would be a relief to know you're getting him out of the house." Reid, for his part, seemed to agree that I'd done a good job and didn't object. Before I knew it, one of his mother's assistants was taking down my information to draw up a contract for a "full-time companion," complete with salary and benefits. Mrs. Vance even had one of the cars drive me home so I wouldn't have to take the subway. My life was getting ridiculously, wonderfully better. The next morning, I quit my job. Then I took my parents to the hospital for a full set of check-ups—better to catch any problems early. Mrs. Vance had a car delivered to me, so I wouldn't have to drag Reid around on public transport. And since I had a driver's license, she gave me a second salary to act as his chauffeur. The bullet comments were having a field day, shipping me and Reid hard. 【Look at the way he looks at her! He's totally in love. So sweet. This timeline is so much better.】 【Uh, does no one remember he has a childhood sweetheart? In his heart, she's always going to be number one.】 A childhood sweetheart? I mentally shrugged. What does that have to do with me? I'm just here to do a job. A few days later, I drove to Reid's house to pick him up for a hike. As I got out of the car, a stunningly beautiful woman blocked my path. "So you're the 'companion' my aunt hired for Reid?" I was about to get a better look at her face when the comments started flying. 【Whoa, why is the childhood sweetheart back now?】 【She's known him for fifteen years. Our MC has known him for fifteen days. The match is already decided.】 A friend of the boss is half a boss. I put on my most professional smile. "Hello. I'm Reid's companion. My name is Leah." She shot me a dismissive look. "You're fired. Don't come back." Excuse me? Who did she think she was, trying to cut off my income stream just like that? My smile vanished. "I'm afraid that's not your decision to make. I have a contract with Mr. Vance. If you want to fire me, you'll have to go through the proper channels." With that, I sidestepped her and walked toward the villa. "Didn't you hear me? This isn't a place you can just walk into! Get out!" She lunged at me, shoving me hard. I stumbled back, catching myself on the doorframe just before I fell. "Sienna, what the hell are you doing?!" Reid had come out just in time to see it. "Reid! This woman is deceiving you! She's a gold digger who's been targeting you from the start! You and your mother have both been fooled!" Sienna held up a stack of printed-out screenshots. They were supposedly chat logs, showing that I had spotted Reid and his expensive car at the park and had been plotting to seduce him the entire time. I saw the familiar profile picture and my heart sank.
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