SECRET BENEFACTOR

The moment Ella's name appeared at the top of the rankings, the entire university erupted.

For three consecutive days, discussions about her dominated every campus forum.

Some admired her.

Some envied her.

Others simply refused to believe it.

After all, this was Ella Eleanor.

The same Ella who had quietly sat in the back of classrooms for years.

The same Ella who had never competed for attention.

How could she suddenly surpass every elite student in the university?

Soon, rumors began spreading.

"There's no way she did it alone."

"I heard she has a powerful backer."

"Didn't you see the luxury car that drops her off every day?"

"Maybe some rich businessman is supporting her."

Within hours, the gossip spread across campus like wildfire.

Several students even began gathering outside the university gates each morning.

Their goal was simple.

They wanted to see the mysterious luxury car for themselves.

Unfortunately for them, the vehicle's tinted windows revealed nothing.

The more mysterious it became, the more curious everyone grew.

---

Meanwhile, Bella sat inside a private café near campus.

Her phone displayed dozens of screenshots from student forums.

A cold smile appeared on her lips.

"Keep talking."

The more rumors spread, the happier she became.

Then her phone vibrated.

A message arrived.

The private investigator she hired.

Bella immediately opened it.

"Have you found anything?"

"Not yet," came the reply.

"But I've confirmed she's living somewhere outside campus."

Bella frowned.

That wasn't enough.

She wanted evidence.

Something she could use to destroy Ella completely.

"Keep watching her."

"I want every detail."

---

At the same time.

Inside Fredamo Group Headquarters.

Zeke stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office.

Alex entered carrying several documents.

"Boss."

"The competition rankings have gone viral."

Zeke glanced at the reports.

His eyes landed on Ella's name.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

His little patient had exceeded expectations once again.

Alex immediately noticed.

He resisted the urge to laugh.

Recently, his boss had become suspiciously happy whenever Miss Ella was mentioned.

"Prepare a reservation."

Alex blinked.

"For what?"

"A celebration dinner."

The answer came instantly.

Alex wasn't surprised.

Not even slightly.

---

That evening.

Ella stared at the message on her phone.

A celebration dinner?

Her lips curved upward.

She quickly changed clothes before heading downstairs.

When she entered the living room, Zeke looked up from his tablet.

Then froze.

For several seconds, his mind went blank.

Ella wore a simple off-shoulder dress that revealed her delicate collarbone.

Nothing inappropriate.

Nothing extravagant.

Yet for some reason, he found it impossible to look away.

The warm lighting softened her features.

Making her appear even more beautiful.

More feminine.

More dangerous.

A strange heat spread through his chest.

Zeke immediately looked away.

His jaw tightened.

The urge to pull her closer was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Meanwhile, Ella remained completely unaware.

"Do I look okay?"

She spun once.

The movement nearly destroyed the last of Zeke's self-control.

"You look fine."

His voice sounded colder than usual.

Alex, standing nearby, almost rolled his eyes.

Fine?

His boss had spent the last thirty seconds staring.

---

Half an hour later.

The car arrived at Dynasty Restaurant.

The most luxurious restaurant in the city.

A place frequented by celebrities, billionaires, and political figures.

The moment Ella stepped out of the vehicle, several people turned to look.

She immediately felt uncomfortable.

"This place looks expensive."

"It is."

Zeke answered calmly.

Then he opened the door for her.

Inside, countless crystal chandeliers illuminated the grand hall.

Ella stared in amazement.

Meanwhile, hidden across the street—

A camera clicked.

The private investigator hired by Bella smiled.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

The luxury car.

The expensive restaurant.

The handsome older man.

This was exactly what Bella wanted.

More photographs followed.

Click.

Click.

Click.

Every image carefully captured.

---

Inside the private dining room.

The atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed.

For the first time, Zeke found himself enjoying dinner rather than simply enduring it.

Most of the conversation came from Ella.

She talked about school.

The competition.

Her future plans.

And somehow, Zeke listened to every word.

Several times he caught himself staring at her.

His gaze lingering longer than it should.

Eventually, Ella noticed.

"What?"

She tilted her head.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Zeke's fingers tightened around his wine glass.

For a brief moment, his composure nearly cracked.

Because what he wanted to say was dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Instead, he changed the subject.

"Stop calling me Mr. Zeke."

Ella blinked.

"What should I call you?"

Their eyes met.

For some reason, the atmosphere suddenly became intimate.

A strange nervousness appeared in Ella's chest.

Then Zeke spoke quietly.

"Just call me Zeke."

Her heartbeat skipped.

For some reason, saying his name felt different.

More personal.

More meaningful.

She hesitated briefly.

Then smiled.

"Okay..."

A slight pause followed.

"Zeke."

The moment the name left her lips—

Zeke froze.

His heartbeat accelerated.

The simple sound felt far more dangerous than any business negotiation.

His gaze darkened.

For one terrifying second, he imagined standing up, pulling her closer, and never letting go.

The image was so vivid that he immediately looked away.

Ella noticed the redness creeping up his ears.

A smile tugged at her lips.

Had the great Young Master Fredamo just become shy?

---

The following morning.

Bella was awakened by a phone call.

The investigator's voice sounded excited.

"Miss Bella."

"I found something."

Within minutes, dozens of photographs arrived.

Bella eagerly opened them.

The first image showed Ella entering a luxury car.

The second showed her arriving at Dynasty Restaurant.

The third showed her dining privately with a handsome man.

Bella's eyes widened.

Then excitement exploded inside her.

"I knew it."

A triumphant smile appeared on her face.

"So that's how she's living comfortably."

She looked at the photographs again.

The evidence seemed undeniable.

An older wealthy man.

Luxury restaurants.

Luxury cars.

Bella instantly convinced herself she had discovered the truth.

Ella wasn't succeeding because of talent.

She was being supported by a rich man.

A mistress.

Nothing more.

Without hesitation, Bella forwarded the photographs.

One recipient.

Andrew Eleanor.

---

At Eleanor Group Headquarters.

Andrew sat reviewing business reports when his assistant entered.

"Chairman."

"A package arrived."

Andrew frowned.

"Leave it there."

Moments later, curiosity prompted him to open it.

Several photographs slid onto his desk.

His expression instantly changed.

The images showed Ella.

Entering a luxury car.

Walking beside a man.

Entering Dynasty Restaurant.

Andrew's grip tightened.

His face darkened.

The office temperature seemed to drop instantly.

A storm was brewing.

And for the first time in weeks—

Ella's name occupied his thoughts once again.