Rich Kid Rescue Mission

The love story between the golden boy Darian Drummond and broke school beauty Chloe Ackley was straight-up legendary.

He had it all, yet spent his days simping. She had nothing, yet acted untouchable—rejecting him a thousand times.

Their drama? Pure soap opera. They even had a fan club.

Everyone was hooked, waiting for Chloe to finally cave.

So whenever another girl dared get near Darian, his fans shredded her online.

On my first day after transferring, I had someone leak the news: I was Darian's fiancée.

The second I walked into class, a bucket of ice water dumped over me. Head to toe, drenched. My hair and mask stuck to my face while the room erupted in laughter.

Chloe drifted in from the hall, wide-eyed and innocent. "Are you okay? They just like me too much, that's why they overreacted. Don't blame them."

One of her tagalongs sneered. "Chloe, you're too sweet. She's obviously here to steal Darian, and you're still worried about her."

A few guys stepped in, blocking me off.

"We dumped the water. Chloe's got nothing to do with it. You try wrecking someone's relationship, don't expect a free pass!"

If it were anyone else, they'd be in tears, sprinting for the exit. I just let out a quiet sigh.

'Seriously, Chloe? Same tired tricks? Cute. Let me show you how a real pro does it.'

With shaky hands and frozen fingers, I peeled off the dripping mask and swept my soaked hair out of my face.

Silence. One beat. Then gasps.

Chloe turned ghost-white.

My eyes went red, lip trembling. "I wasn't trying to ruin anything. Mr. and Mrs. Drummond set up the engagement... I didn't have a choice. Chloe, you don't have to worry. I'm not fighting you for him—I couldn't, even if I wanted to."

I glanced up at the guys still frozen in place, voice low and cracked. "I just wanted to study, make a few friends... but now everyone hates me. What am I even supposed to do?"

Silence.

The same guys ready to throw hands suddenly looked like they'd stepped into a sauna. One of them mumbled, "S-Sorry. I'm Bernard Morris. I'd, uh, be honored to be your friend."

Even Chloe's backup flinched. "Don't cry, okay? We didn't mean it like... that."

Chloe clearly hadn't seen that twist coming—me flipping the whole scene with a few teary lines and stealing her backup in the process.

She stared, eyes wide, face contorting. Then she lost it. "Allison Ackley—why is it always you?! Why are you still in my life?!"

I flinched like a scared bunny and ducked behind Bernard.

"Did I... do something wrong? Does Chloe not like me?"

Bernard shot her a look, stepping protectively in front of me. "Chloe, this isn't on her. Chill."

And that was it. Chloe snapped. She lunged and slapped me so hard my head spun.

As I stumbled back, I caught a blur moving fast toward me.

Hook. Line. Sinker.