Rebate System: From Poor Student To Billionaire Playboy

Chapter 24. The Gift

The night had finally settled into silence, and Alicia was sprawled beside Harry, fast asleep. Her breathing was slow, her body completely relaxed. Harry lay there watching her, still half in disbelief. He’d always known that money could open doors, but he didn’t realize it could completely rewrite the rules of attraction.

One real date. That’s all it took. He’d met her again, seduced her, and had her in his bed before the day was over. There hadn’t even been a chase like he did with her before. All it took was money and she let him fuck her mercilessly.

He stared at her sleeping face, her lips slightly parted, the messy strands of hair scattered across the pillow. She looked peaceful, beautiful, even, but Harry couldn’t forget the truth: she wasn’t lying there because she cared. She was there because, in one way or another, she’d been useful to him.

Alicia was part of the system now. Just another name on his list. And though he couldn’t remove anyone yet, he couldn’t help but imagine what future upgrades might allow him to do. Maybe one day, he could replace her with someone else. Someone he actually wanted was there.

Still, for now, Alicia had a purpose. She wasn’t someone he respected, he didn’t even particularly like her, but she was good at one thing, and that was enough. As long as she could satisfy him, she served her role.

Harry reached over to grab his phone, the glow of the screen lighting up his face. A message waited for him. To his surprise, it was from Melissa.

[Hey Harry, it’s Melissa. Of course, you know it’s me, you’ve got my number saved! I just wanted to check on you. And thank you again for the other night. I had so much fun.]

Harry read the text twice, a small smile tugging at his lips. He remembered how genuine she’d been, how easy it was to just be around her. But before he could even think of responding, Alicia began to stir beside him.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he greeted softly, slipping his phone face down on the nightstand.

Alicia groaned as she stretched, her blanket slipping down her chest, revealing smooth skin and toned abs. Her body was something else, there was no denying that. Harry’s eyes lingered for a moment longer than he should have before he forced himself to look away.

He’d already had her. He didn’t need to make it that obvious.

Still, the thought crossed his mind, how ridiculous it was that money had given him this kind of access. If he wanted, he could probably sleep with almost any woman in the world. There wasn’t a door that wealth couldn’t open.

Alicia sat up, rubbing her eyes. Harry’s body reacted instantly, but he forced a quiet exhale and kept himself composed. She didn’t need to think she had that kind of power over him. If anything, he wanted her to crave him instead.

“Go get ready,” he told her. “I want to take you somewhere.”

Alicia blinked, still groggy. “Somewhere? Where?”

“You’ll see,” he replied simply.

She didn’t argue, though she looked like she wanted to. She had a busy day ahead anyway. Now that the modelling agency had accepted her application, she had to finalize her contract and meet with the reps. But for now, she decided to indulge him.

It took her over an hour to get ready. Harry spent the time flipping through channels on the TV, half-listening to the chatter while scrolling through his thoughts. Nothing interesting was on, so he switched to a music channel. He had a soft spot for rock and roll music, real rock and roll, but it seemed nobody played that kind of stuff anymore.

By the time Alicia finally stepped out, she was back in the same dress she’d worn the night before. It still hugged her figure perfectly.

“Are you done staring?” she asked, adjusting her hair in the reflection of a wall mirror. “I have places to be, you know. So, what’s this all about?”

Harry didn’t answer right away. He was too busy thinking about her affection bar, how it hovered around forty per cent. That meant whatever he gave her next would yield four times the usual effect. This was the best moment to push it higher, while the memory of their night together was still fresh.

He had an idea, one that would guarantee results.

“Come on,” he said with a grin.

Alicia frowned but followed as he led her out to his car. He handed her a blindfold before they got in.

“Seriously?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“Trust me,” Harry replied, voice low and teasing. “It’s part of the surprise.”

She hesitated, then rolled her eyes and put it on. If it had been anyone else, she’d have walked out right then. But Harry gave off an aura of control and safety that made her want to follow his lead. Or maybe it wasn’t that, it was his money. With a man like him, there was no danger she could imagine he couldn’t afford to fix.

“Are we there yet?” she asked after what felt like forever.

Harry chuckled. “Are you always this impatient?”

The car rolled to a stop.

“What if,” he said suddenly, his tone dipping, “I brought you here to kill you?”

Alicia froze. The casual menace in his voice made her pulse spike.

“Stop playing,” she said quickly, trying to sound unbothered. Her hand shot up, yanking the blindfold down—

—and she blinked at the sight in front of her.

They were parked in front of a luxury car dealership.

“What are we doing here?” she asked, confused.

Harry reached over and poked her forehead lightly. “Getting you a car, silly.”

She laughed nervously. “A car? You’re joking, right?”

But he wasn’t.

The dealership gleamed under the morning sun. Rows of pristine machines lined up like trophies, Bentleys, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, Lamborghinis. Not a single one under a million.

Alicia’s stomach flipped. Was he serious?

He opened her door with a gentleman’s grace, and for a brief moment, she felt small. Every man in sight turned to stare as she stepped out, her beauty practically commanding attention. Harry noticed it too. Having her on his arm elevated him instantly.

Before they could even take a proper look around, a salesman appeared, too eager, smiling wide enough to make his cheeks hurt.

“Welcome, welcome!” the man said, his voice practically trembling with desperation.

Harry ignored him and looked at Alicia instead. “Go on. Take a look around. Pick whatever you like.”

The salesman’s jaw dropped.

“But,” Harry added in his head. “Don’t go over four million. He couldn’t say that part out loud, it wouldn’t be good for the image.

Alicia’s eyes widened. “You’re… serious?”

“Dead serious.”

She started walking, slowly at first, then faster, like a kid in a candy store. The salesman trailed behind her, muttering stats and features she barely heard. Harry followed, hands in his pockets, amused.

He caught the salesman stealing glances at Alicia’s legs more than once, but he didn’t care. If the guy wasn’t loaded, he wasn’t a threat. Alicia only saw value in dollar signs.

Still, as she drifted toward the high-end section, Harry started to regret his generosity. The price tags in this area could make a CEO sweat.

And then she stopped.

“I want that one,” she said, pointing at a gleaming beast of a car, sleek, low, red, and impossible to ignore.

The salesman’s eyes lit up. “Excellent choice! The Aston Martin Valkyrie, our finest model! Costs only $3.7 million, but worth every penny. Insurance is included if you go for the single-payment option! It has a 6.5-liter V—”

Harry raised a finger, cutting him off.

He turned to Alicia. “Is that what you want?”

She nodded slowly, testing him, expecting him to baulk. There’s no way he’s got that kind of money just sitting around, she thought.

Harry smiled, pulling out his card. “We’ll take it. Where do I pay?”

The salesman froze for a heartbeat before stammering, “R-right this way, sir!”

Alicia’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

She followed them, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Her heart was pounding, not from affection, but from sheer disbelief.

There was no more guessing, no more pretending.

This wasn’t an act.

Harry was in fact richer than Marcus.