Chapter 50

Immediately after that, my phone kept chiming nonstop.

“Ding—$10,000,000 has been deposited…”

“Ding—$100,000 has been deposited…”

“Ding—$100,000 has been deposited…”

Zeros flooded the screen like a tidal wave, almost hurting my eyes.

Everyone around me looked frozen.

Someone’s mouth hung open.

Someone stole a glance at me, then snapped their eyes away like they’d seen something impossible.

Jezin’s face went green, then white, then green again.

I sighed—half amused, half helpless and glanced at the transfer names.

Norman. Nathaniel. And one unfamiliar account, probably Gill.

Of course.

They were all watching the livestream.

I was about to silence the notifications when my phone vibrated again.

Caller ID: Kane.

I meant to decline but my finger pressed answer anyway, as if possessed.

And I forgot the speaker was still on.

A cool, low voice filled the rooftop, carrying a trace of restrained grievance.

“From now on, pin my contact to the top.”

I froze.

Something tapped softly against my heart.

—He was watching the livestream too?

So, he’d been caring about me all along.

Warmth surged in my chest before I could stop it.

“Okay,” I said instinctively, my voice softening so much even I heard the tenderness.

“Mm.” He paused.

Then his tone turned more serious than usual, almost awkwardly annoyed.

“I have money. Don’t use others’ money.”

My heart shuddered.

For a second, it felt like the whole rooftop went silent, leaving only his voice echoing.

“It’s just a dare game…” I hurried to explain, but my voice kept turning gentle without permission.

On the other end, there was silence for a few seconds.

I could almost picture him frowning.

In the end, I could only coax quietly.

“Okay, I get it. I’m hanging up, alright?”

“Mm.”

He answered softly.

I hung up reluctantly.

When I looked up again, the rooftop was dead quiet.

Every single gaze was locked on me.

Goselle’s eyes were practically glowing with gossip.

Jevon stared without blinking, shock and a thread of confusion in his eyes.

Jezin’s jaw was clenched so hard it looked like it might crack.

Goselle finally broke the silence, her tone exaggerated.

“Mia, who was that just now? I’ve never seen you sound that gentle before!”

I couldn’t help laughing a little, deliberately playing coy.

“You guess.”

“Tsk, whatever. Even if you don’t say it, I know there’s something going on!” Goselle winked excitedly, then switched topics fast.

“But wow, so many people transferred you money. I believe it now. You’re the real hidden rich queen!”

“They’re just friends with money,” I replied casually.

Then I lifted my eyes and looked straight at Jezin, a hint of provocation and mockery in my gaze.

Weren’t you the one who said I had no friends?

Got slapped in the face, didn’t you?

I could practically imagine Reddit detonating.

Some would envy. Some would hate. Some would sneer about “sugar daddies” and “staged drama.”

But I was certain—those were my real friends.

They helped me not because of dirty transactions, but because they trusted me.

Reddit:

【I’m kinda touched… Mia’s friends are so good to her. 】

【Holy hell, that’s real friendship. 】

【Why are they all men though… that’s suspicious…】

【The second man said, "guys’ money." Why should they give Mia money?】

【Dig into it! What’s Mia’s background? There has to be something hidden!】

【I did the math—what hit her account just now… seven figures? Eight figures? WTF!】

Whispers buzzed around us. The atmosphere stayed sharp.

Jezin’s face burned.

He’d been slapped once this morning, and now he got stomped again.

I saw it clearly his gaze was dark, like he wanted to swallow me whole.

But in this moment, any rebuttal he tried would only look weak.

…

Late into the night, the tension finally loosened.

When the crowd gradually dispersed, I cleaned up the snack mess and went back to my room.

I raised my hand to block the camera, took a quick shower, then crawled into my sleeping bag.

The hard floor made my bones ache, but my heart had never felt steadier.

Just endure a little longer.

Tomorrow I’ll make more money to replace this with a real bed, buy pots and bowls, and cook for myself.

Cheaper. Cleaner.

With that thought, I sank into deep sleep.