"Dude, you actually got a sugar mama?" Lucas "Biggie" Reed gaped, half-convinced Ethan Black's Ferrari, villa, and black card were funded by some billionaire cougar. Ethan's grin didn't help—his face was practically a rom-com poster.
"What sugar mama? Call her dear," Ethan teased, leaning into the bit as he drove Lucas back to his dorm. Lucas caught the smirk and groaned.
"Man, you're messin' with me!" Lucas punched Ethan's arm. "Keep your secrets, Mr. Moneybags. I'm out." He hopped out, shaking his head, while Ethan chuckled and peeled off in his $600,000 Ferrari 488 Pista, headed for SkyHigh Estates Villa #8.
Days later, Westfield University's military training wrapped, and the campus buzzed with the Freshman Welcome Gala—a night of performances, free food, and prime gossip fuel. Sophia Winters, ankle healed and back in action, showed up with classmates, her "Ice Queen" aura intact but thawing for one guy: Ethan. The gala was packed, with freshmen drooling over senior cheerleaders' dance routines and TikTok-worthy light shows. But backstage, drama brewed.
Preston Tate, head of the Student Activities Board, huddled with his crew, plotting a "special" segment: a random "Lucky Star" audience member would perform a talent—singing, dancing, maybe a bad magic trick. Preston pulled up a photo on his phone: Ethan carrying Sophia at the mall (Chapter 16), now a viral X post with 10K likes. "This guy's our Lucky Star," Preston smirked, pointing at Ethan.
His crew exchanged glances. They'd been at Westfield long enough to know Preston wasn't playing Cupid. A senior with a trust fund and a crush on Sophia, Preston had confessed to her last year—only to get iced out faster than a polar plunge. That mall hug pic? It lit a fuse. Preston wasn't picking Ethan to shine; he wanted him to crash.
"No issues?" Preston asked, eyes glinting. "Nope, we'll find him," a lackey said, already scanning the crowd. "Showtime, Ethan," Preston muttered, imagining Ethan bombing on stage. "Let's see you flop in front of Sophia."
Preston's plan was diabolical. He'd heard Ethan had zero talents—guy was a jock, not a performer. If Ethan refused the spotlight, he'd look like a coward, especially with Sophia watching. If he tried and tanked? Even better. Either way, Ethan's "Campus Casanova" rep (Chapter 19) would take a hit, and Preston could swoop in as Sophia's knight. That hug photo—real or not—meant Ethan had to pay for stealing his goddess.
On stage, a comedy skit wrapped, and the host, a peppy junior named Mia, hyped the crowd. "Time for our Lucky Star! One of you gets to shine!" The auditorium roared—some prayed to be picked, others begged the universe to spare them. Lights dimmed, a single white spotlight spun like a game-show wheel, and—surprise, surprise—it landed on Ethan.
"Yo, no way!" Ethan blinked, caught in the beam like a deer in headlights. The crowd erupted, especially those who'd seen the X post. "It's him? The Ferrari guy?!" Whispers spread: Ethan and Sophia, round two?
Mia beamed. "Our Lucky Star! Come on up!" Ethan, unfazed, strolled to the stage, ignoring Preston's smug grin backstage. As Ethan grabbed the mic, his phone pinged. He glanced down: a notification from Monthly Pay $3,000, I'm the World's Richest.
[Challenge Issued]
No More Low-Key: Perform a talent on stage, show Westfield your strength.
Reward: President of StarPulse Entertainment + 30% ownership ($300M value)