Hearing his name, Kobe Gray stopped and glanced behind him. Sophia Laurent was jogging toward him, a small shoulder bag slung over one arm and a cup of coffee in the other. She waved as she ran.
By the time she reached him, a fine sheen of sweat had formed on her forehead.
"Classmate!"
She pressed a hand to her chest, which rose and fell rapidly with her heavy breaths, and offered him a sweet, radiant smile. Kobe Gray frowned slightly, puzzled.
'Why is she chasing after me? Another drink? And how can a dancer have such poor stamina? She's out of breath after just a few steps...'
What he didn't realize was that every move she made had been carefully orchestrated. As the most beautiful girl in the dance department of Oxford Academy of Arts, Sophia Laurent knew exactly how to use her gestures and expressions to draw attention.
"Classmate, it's like this," she began, catching her breath. "I had plans for this afternoon, my friend asked me to meet him at a coffee shop. When you asked about fun places nearby, I got a little impatient because I didn't want my friend to gossip if he saw me. I'm sorry. But he just told me he can't make it. If you don't mind, I could show you around?"
Her tone was polite, teasing, and impossible to refuse.
"You're not talking about a boyfriend, are you…?" Kobe asked cautiously. He had no desire to become someone's side fling, especially after being cheated on.
Sophia blushed, pouting in a playful way.
'How could he be my boyfriend? I've never even been in a relationship!'
And it was true. She had never truly been in a relationship, keeping all her suitors at a distance while enjoying their devotion. Her beauty and elegance were her tools, she waited for the right man, rich, kind, and preferably handsome. Until then, no one could claim her.
Kobe Gray felt relief wash over him. 'Sophia Laurent's favorability rating is now 35 points. She's unlikely to lie.' If he suggested going shopping together, she probably wouldn't refuse.
When her favorability was 5 points, the system had allowed him to get a random 3x cashback. Now, at 35 points, he was curious how much he could gain. The two exchanged contacts on WeMessage, saving each other's names.
"It's too hot outside. Let's go shopping inside Jeffrey's Plaza first," Kobe suggested.
Sophia had been planning how to get Kobe to buy her things without appearing forward, and he had just handed her the perfect opportunity.
"Okay," she said casually. "I was just thinking about getting a lipstick."
As expected from a high-level player, she didn't directly ask for it. She just hinted. Kobe, naturally, wouldn't let a chance for cashback slip by.
They stepped into a beauty store, each thinking their own thoughts. Two curious eyes immediately fell on Kobe.
"Brianna, look, isn't that Ella's boyfriend?"
The sales assistants were Brianna Monroe and Shanice Beckham, Isabella Sinclair's roommates. They had seen everything at the school gate today. But they didn't blame Isabella, if the situation were reversed, they would have done the same. Who would turn down a rich guy for a poor one?
Both women were stunning in their own right but had never caught the attention of wealthy men. They had long envied Isabella's high-end gifts and attention from the man in the SeDavies Benz.
"Shanice, look at him. Who's this gorgeous woman with him? Has he already found a new girlfriend?"
Shanice shook her head. "Impossible. He's poor. No beautiful woman would be interested in him. And she… she's even prettier than Isabella!"
Brianna nodded. "Exactly. They probably just came in together by coincidence. No way someone like him would attract her."
The two sales assistants stepped forward politely.
"Hello, which products are you interested in?"
Kobe didn't recognize them, though they looked vaguely familiar. He ignored it.
"Sophia, what do you want? I'll pay."
With nearly $866.40 on his card, he spoke with confidence. 'I could buy ten lipsticks with this.'
Brianna and Shanice exchanged glances, surprised. The beautiful woman accompanying Kobe clearly knew him. But why? Was she blind, or was she playing him?
It became clear when Sophia began selecting products.
"I knew it!" Brianna whispered. "She's just using him."
Shanice covered her mouth to stifle laughter.
"The real show starts at the register. Kobe Gray probably feels guilty spending $100, wait until he sees the total!"
Brianna grinned in anticipation. "Do you think he'll run when he sees the price?"
Finally, they reached the counter.
"Hello, the total is $496.00," Brianna said, organizing the items.
Kobe didn't hesitate. He opened his payment QR code and handed it over with a confident smile.