Chapter 4

Summer POV

I froze for a moment, immediately understanding. I rushed forward, trying to snatch back the check that Ethan's mother had sent me.

"Who gave you permission to touch my things?"

I pushed into the crowd. They seemed to have coordinated to toy with me. The check passed back and forth between several tall students.

No matter how I reached, I couldn't grab it.

A girl spoke sarcastically. "If you can sell private photos, what wouldn't you sell?"

"Your stuff? Tch, it's probably dirty anyway."

Another girl chimed in.

"Yeah, you don't think we've all seen that post, do you? Everything about you had a price tag on there!"

"This ten-million-dollar check. Did you get it from hooking up with some billionaire?"

Her words stirred up a storm.

Everyone seemed to suddenly understand.

"So she found herself a loaded sugar daddy!"

"I heard Summer's family situation is bad, and she owes quite a bit of debt! No wonder she's selling herself."

"All of you shut up!"

I was shaking with rage, using all my strength to shout that sentence.

The air went quiet for a second, then the mocking and sneering grew even more wild.

"Class is starting. What are you all crowding around for!"

The professor had arrived without my noticing, frowning as he told them all to return to their seats.

After class, I searched everywhere for that check. I needed to return it to Ethan's mother.

Until I heard a familiar male voice.

"Looking for this?"

I looked up to meet Ethan's dark gaze. In his hand was his mother's check.

Seeing I didn't speak, a cruel, mocking smile curved at his lips.

"So you're breaking up with me for this money?"

His voice was very soft, spoken right next to my ear.

My whole body stiffened. I shook my head hard. "No, I'm not."

"Slap!"

Before I could finish, Ethan slapped me.

His eyes were filled with coldness, looking at me like I was ice to the bone. "Summer, I didn't think your appetite would be this big. For money, you really can do anything."

I had no way to defend myself. Explain what?

This money was indeed Ethan's mother's breakup fee for me, but I never intended to take it!

"Ethan, this money-"

I opened my mouth, but before I could explain, a female voice interrupted.

"I heard student Summer was admitted under hardship status? The school even helped you apply for an extremely low-interest student loan?"

Sophie, dressed in high-end custom clothing with delicate features, walked gracefully to Ethan's side, her eyes staring straight at me.

My breath caught.

The next second, Ethan's eyes turned cold as frost. He threw the check in my face, the disgust in his eyes unconcealed.

"I'll suggest to the school that they audit your student loan."

That light sentence felt like a boulder crushing my heart, making me panic instantly.

I grabbed the corner of his shirt, my eyes reddening.

"Ethan, what are you doing?"

He pulled his shirt away, frowning as he took out a handkerchief to wipe the spot I'd touched, then casually tossed it on the ground.

"I don't like people who are only after money touching my things."

"Student loans are for people who really can't afford school. Someone like you doesn't deserve it."

With that, Ethan and Sophie turned and left side by side without hesitation.

My arm fell to my side, my palm still seeming to hold the cold touch of his body, making me tremble slightly.