---- Chapter 8 Since the day the admission results came out, Raymond had been calling me nonstop. But I didn't have time to deal with him. I was busy managing my online account. Ihad to make the most of the exposure the incident brought me, turning all that attention into profit. I started sharing study tips on my page, and for a small fee, people could purchase access to all of my study notes. Through knowledge-based content, I was raking in money. Soon, I began landing the right brand deals and building my personal brand, getting more and more people to know who I was. With this positive momentum, my influence and income kept rising. As usual, I declined Raymond's call. Moments later, several messages came in. ---- "Adeline, today's my birthday. Can you come celebrate with me?" The doorbell suddenly rang. I opened the door, only to see a hotel keycard on the floor. It instantly reminded me of the card I once gave him a year ago. It felt like deja vu-but this time, the tables had turned. The hotel room door was slightly ajar. The moment I opened it, I was pulled into a tight embrace. "Adeline, I don't care if you were just using me," Raymond said, meeting my gaze. "I just want to be with you!" I glanced at him and marveled at his face-he still looked as stunning as ever. I reached out and caressed his face, but what came out of my mouth next was like venom. "Won't Cora be upset that you're here?" I asked. "Oh, I forgot. Since you lost the bet, she won't be with you ---- anymore." Raymond froze, his face turning pale. "You heard everything," he uttered. Panic gripped him, and he suddenly grew agitated. "It's not what you think," he sputtered, grabbing my hand. "At first, I did approach you because of the bet. But then I realized I fell in love with you! "I never had feelings for Cora! You're the only one I care about now. Adeline, can we start over? Please?" He begged me desperately. Usually, no one could bring themselves to turn him down-except me. I scoffed. "Did you hear all that, Cora?" Raymond stiffened. Then he noticed the phone in my hand. Her screams pierced through the phone. "Raymond, how dare you betray me?" she shrieked. " Do you really think Adeline loves you? She knew about ---- our plan all along, and she's just using you to get back at me. You're nothing but a walking dildo to her!" Her voice was dripping with resentment as she continued, "Adeline, you fucking whore! Did you think you won? I can easily crush a lowly peasant like you. Just wait!" Before she could finish, Raymond snatched the phone from me and smashed it into pieces. Fear filled his eyes as he looked at me. Then he suddenly lunged forward and smashed his lips on mine. Whenever I was upset, he'd always make up to me this way. He tore at my collar like a madman, but I didn't resist or dodge him. I just let him do whatever he wanted. After all, he probably thought that pleasing me in bed would fix everything. How naive. As soon as he yanked my clothes off, he froze. His eyes widened, and everything came to a halt.