Defying the Comments: The Rise of a Female Mogul

"Mr. Hart, I know you're rich, but money can't buy everything!" Lena Quimby, my best friend, snapped, her eyes reddening as she spoke up for me.However, she kept sneaking glances at Gideon Hart, and the heat in them betrayed a yearning too obvious to ignore.Gideon's brow creased.Seeing that, Lena pushed harder. "It's degrading to pay a woman off. If it were me, I wouldn't take a cent, even if I had nothing. Dignity and love come before everything. A woman's first time should only be given to her future husband."As she said that, she blushed at her own words.I let out a cold laugh. This was exactly what happened in my previous life.Last time, I let Lena goad me. I couldn't bear the shame, so I refused Gideon's offer. Later, when bills piled up, she egged me on to ask him for money.In the end, things spiraled, and I was thrown out of Kingsborough. I had nothing left and hit rock bottom.Lena could put on an act all she wanted in this life. She just wasn't going to polish h

The comments section flooded with mockery."Look at this nobody who can't handle money!""How long do you think hush money for your body lasts?""Just wait until Lena ends up with Gideon. You'll get what's coming!"I glanced over at the comments, a smile tugging at my lips.Who knew if Lena could even get Gideon's number? Right now, she was probably in the dorm, throwing a tantrum and smashing things.That night, I sat on the balcony with a cup of tea. The evening breeze brushed against my skin, and suddenly, my last memory from my previous life surfaced in my mind.I was in a shabby rental with drafts cutting through the thin walls, shivering alone until the cold slowly devoured me. I pulled the blanket tighter and let out a bitter laugh.Money really could buy anything.I opened my contacts list and found Gideon's name. I hesitated for a while before I finally typed a short message. After carefully choosing my words and rewriting it twice, I finally hit send."Mr. Hart, do

"Mr. Hart" kept flashing on the screen as my phone continued to ring. My stomach tightened. I reached for the phone, but Lena got there first, her expression stiffening. She clearly hadn't expected Gideon to call me now."Don't think picking up his call will save you!" she snapped.I wasn't going to take the call, but Professor Eldridge had already answered it.A cool female voice came through the speaker. "Who's looking for Gideon? I'm his mother, Karen Dawson."The live stream chat went wild."Look at her face! Did she really think Gideon would swoop in to save her?""She has no idea. His mother hates social climbers!""Get ready to be humiliated in public!"Lena's eyes brightened as she stepped forward, her tone turning sweet. "Hello, Mrs. Hart. I'm Lena Quimby. We met at a birthday party a few years back. Your son was with you, and you said I was very well-mannered."There was a pause on the other end, then a mild reply came. "Did we? Sorry, I'm getting older. I don't re

After seeing the comments, I felt a wave of panic, and my fingers went numb again.With how things had blown up, would Gideon be furious? Would this life end in misery, just like my previous life?…The coffee shop smelled of roasted beans, and it was so quiet that I could hear my own breath.Gideon set his cup of coffee down and said, "I'm sorry you got dragged into trouble because of the money. And... you don't need to take my mother's words seriously."His tone remained indifferent, but for once, I heard a hint of sincerity in it.I shook my head. "I apologize for letting the rumors spiral. But don't worry, I didn't say a word I shouldn't have, and I never will."He hesitated for a moment, then looked at me intently. "The drugging incident isn't simple. Whoever's behind it will likely try again. In order to protect your reputation and catch whoever's behind it, I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend."I was stunned. Before I could answer, he added, "Name your price. Whate

"Money? You're too naive. We already got paid, but it's not enough. We're curious—how did you get Gideon to choose you? Let's see what makes you so special!"Their lewd taunts made my breath catch, my chest tightening as panic seized me.I forced my voice to hold steady. "Don't be stupid! Let me go while you still can! If you dare touch me, the Harts won't pay you a dime!"They only laughed harder. "Do you think you can scare us? Not tonight!"They surged forward, reaching greedily to rip at my clothes. I fought against the ropes with all my might, cold dread surging through me. The live stream chat exploded with more comments."Serves her right! She should know her place!""This is the price for snatching Gideon from Lena!""Are you serious? Side piece or not, she's still a person. This is sick!""I'm out! This plot is trash!""She didn't do anything wrong! Why should she be the one to suffer?"Just then, the steel door burst open.Light cut across the darkness, and armed