Chapter 9
Riley stood at Harvard’s gates with her suitcase, September sunshine blazing overhead.]]
She squinted and brushed the hair from her forehead, having long since ditched those thick black frames, revealing bright, clear almond–shaped eyes.]
Students walking by kept turning to stare, their gazes lingering on her, but she barely noticed, just checking her watch–thirty minutes until registration deadline.]]
“Need help?” A warm male voice came from beside her.]]
Riley turned to see a pair of smiling eyes.]]
The guy wore a simple white button–down, tall and lean, with gold–rimmed glasses that made him look refined and scholarly.
He pointed to her three suitcases: “Looks like you’ve got a lot to carry, and registration’s still pretty far. If you don’t mind, I can help with some of it.“[]
Riley hesitated for a moment, but time was tight. She nodded: “Thanks.“]
“Ethan Mitchell, Physics Department,” the guy said naturally as he took two of her suitcases.
“Riley Thompson, Business,” she said, walking behind him to the registration desk.[]
Ethan’s eyes swept over the fading scrapes on her arms.
He frowned slightly but quickly looked away without prying.]
They walked in silence until they finished the registration process. Only then did Ethan speak up: “Your injuries… do you need to visit the campus clinic?“]
Riley instinctively pulled her arms back and shook her head: “No need, they’re almost healed.“]
Ethan didn’t push it, just pulled out a business card: “I work with the Student Life Office. If you need any help getting settled, feel free to reach out.“]
Riley took the card and thanked him quietly. She watched Ethan walk away, feeling a warmth she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
This was the first person to show her genuine kindness in her new environment.[]
On Orientation Day, the main auditorium was packed.]
Riley stood backstage as the student representative, waiting to give her speech.[]
She took a deep breath and looked over her notes one more time.[]
Her advisor patted her shoulder: “Don’t be nervous, just speak naturally.“[]
Riley nodded and walked onto the stage.]
Bed Warner? Harvard Goddess! Ita Mosure. My Payback!
Chapter 9
The spotlight hit her and the auditorium fell silent.[]
She adjusted the microphone and was about to speak when she heard whispers from the back: “Is that Riley Thompson from Business School? She looks totally different from her photos!“[]
“Holy shit, she’s stunning without those glasses…”
“OMG she’s gorgeous! Those thick frames were totally masking her whole vibe!“]]
Riley ignored the chatter and began her speech smoothly.[]
Her voice was clear and confident, her logic sharp. The five–minute speech earned thunderous applause.]]
As she left the stage, her eyes briefly swept the front row and met Ethan’s approving gaze.]]
He nodded slightly at her, his eyes full of admiration.[]
Meanwhile, at Georgia Southern University, Sophia was surrounded by a group of freshmen, showing off the diamond bracelet on her wrist:[]
“This is an orientation gift from Jaxon–limited edition, can’t even buy it in the US!“]
“Wow, Sophia, what’s the deal with you and Jaxon?” someone asked curiously.[]|
Sophia flipped her hair with a meaningful smile: “Guess?”
Just then, a girl nearby suddenly gasped: “You guys, check out the national campus trending topics! Harvard’s student rep Riley Thompson is drop–dead gorgeous!“]
Sophia’s smile froze.]]
She frantically grabbed the phone. On the screen was a photo from Riley’s orientation speech.
The girl looked stunning, with flawless skin–nothing like the “bookworm” she used to be.
Sophia’s eyes filled with undisguised jealousy and rage, along with a growing sense of dread.[]
Jaxon kicked open his dorm room door, his face dark as thunder.]]
He’d just gone to Business School looking for Riley, only to be told no such person existed.]
Then he saw Riley’s photo on Harvard’s campus forum, looking absolutely breathtaking without her glasses![]
But why hadn’t she told him she’d changed her college choice to Harvard?[]
And why had she always hidden behind those glasses, never letting him know she was so beautiful it took his breath away?]
Just thinking about countless guys staring at her made an indescribable irritation rise from deep inside.]
He pulled out his phone and dialed Riley’s number again, only to hear the same cold automated message: “The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable…“[]
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Chapter 9
“Riley, WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!“[]
He slammed his phone onto the bed and turned around to see the envelope Marcus had delivered sitting on his desk.[]
He grabbed it and tore it open roughly. Inside was a folded piece of paper.[]
Unfolding it revealed a line of messy handwriting:[]
[Jaxon, we’re breaking up. I know you used me as practice, but I used you as a vibrator too. Pretty good experience. Let’s never see each other again.]]]
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Bed Warner Barvard Geddras His Fleasure My Payback!
