The Gaming Master

Chapter 8

The entire campus was buzzing with whispers and wild speculations the next day. 

My sudden transformation had taken everyone by surprise, and the school's social media apps were filled to the brim with my name. 

People were discussing my new wardrobe, the way I had outbid Felix in the boutique, and most of all, how I had seemingly gone from a nobody to someone worth noticing overnight. It was elating for me as I went through the school app I just downloaded on my iPhone. 

Felix, humiliated twice now, couldn’t let this continue. His reputation was at stake. I knew he would try something, and I was ready for it. As soon as he spotted me walking down the hallway, he wasted no time launching his attack.

“Well, well, look who it is,” Felix sneered, stepping into my path with his arms crossed. “You must’ve really lucked out with that rich guy you’re running errands for. Did he tip you well, Thomas?”

Laughter erupted from Felix’s usual group, Celine among them, smirking as she leaned into his side.

I stopped in my tracks, staring at him with an amused expression. I didn’t even need to retaliate—Felix was already making a fool of himself. But I had something bigger in mind.

Instead of engaging in another pointless conversation, I turned on my heels and walked toward the group of girls sitting at a nearby table.

 Among them sat Evelyn Salvatore, the one girl who could truly shake the foundation of this school.

Evelyn wasn’t just the most beautiful girl on campus; she was also the wealthiest and, more importantly, Felix’s ex-girlfriend. If I wanted to make a statement, there was no better way than this.

The moment I approached, the chatter among the students died down. Everyone watched in silent anticipation.

Evelyn’s sharp eyes flickered up as I came to a stop before her table. She looked me over with barely disguised disdain, one perfectly arched brow raised in question.

“What do you want?” she asked, crossing her legs as she stared at me like I was a pest that had wandered into her space.

“I want you,” I said simply, my voice carrying enough confidence to turn many of the students' attention our way. 

“ What is he doing?”

“ Is he going to ask Evelyn Salvatore out?” 

“ Thomas is just doing more than himself now. Does he think that because he is somehow rich he can afford to date Evelyn?” 

A ripple of murmurs spread across the hallway. Evelyn blinked once, as if she hadn’t heard me correctly, and then scoffed.

“You must be joking.” She exchanged glances with her friends, who were already giggling at my apparent delusion.

Felix and Celine had walked over by this point, standing among the crowd that had gathered. Felix grinned, eager to see me humiliated.

I remained calm, meeting Evelyn’s gaze steadily. “I don’t think you understand. I’m not asking—I’m making you an offer.”

Evelyn tilted her head, intrigued despite herself. “An offer?” she repeated.

I pulled out my phone and tapped a few buttons before looking back at her. “How much are you willing to take to be my girlfriend?”

The hallway fell into complete silence.

Even Evelyn, who had been poised to laugh in my face again, hesitated. Her friends exchanged startled glances, and Felix’s smirk faltered slightly.

“You think you can buy me?” Evelyn finally said, though her voice lacked the sharpness from before.

“I don’t think, I know,” I replied smoothly. “The question is, do you have a price?”

Evelyn narrowed her eyes, searching my face for any sign of hesitation. If I had money—real money—why had I spent all this time playing the role of a victim?

Felix’s expression darkened, stepping forward as if he was about to intervene. “Don’t waste your time, Evelyn. He’s bluffing.”

I smirked, turning my attention back to Evelyn. “Am I?”

I tapped my phone again and turned the screen toward her. Her eyes widened slightly at the number displayed on my banking app.

Gasps echoed from the surrounding students.

Evelyn’s lips parted slightly before she quickly composed herself. She leaned back in her seat, pretending to examine her nails. “That’s not enough,” she said, though her voice was no longer dismissive—it was calculating.

I chuckled. “Then name your price.”

Evelyn stared at me for a long moment, assessing. She wasn’t one to be played, and she knew better than to let someone like me—someone who had been invisible just days ago—think he could control her.

But money…

Felix, sensing that Evelyn wasn’t outright rejecting me anymore, stepped in. “You can’t be serious,” he scoffed. “Evelyn, you’re really considering this?”

Evelyn shrugged, tilting her head as she examined me once more. “I don’t know, Felix. If he has the money, why not? After all, didn’t you always say love doesn’t matter when power and wealth are involved?”

Felix’s jaw clenched.

Celine folded her arms, glaring at me. “This is ridiculous. Evelyn, you don’t need his money.”

Evelyn smirked. “That’s true, but free money is always fun.” She leaned forward, resting her elbow on the table and her chin in her palm as she gazed at me. “So, tell me, Thomas. Just how much are you willing to offer for me to be your girlfriend?”

My smile widened. I had played my cards right. “Let’s start with something simple. How about a million for a week?”

The hallway erupted into chaos.

Felix’s face turned red with fury, while Celine’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. Evelyn’s friends gaped at her, waiting for her reaction.

Evelyn tapped her chin thoughtfully. “A million, huh?” She pretended to consider it before flashing me a teasing smile. “Make it two.”

I didn’t even blink. “Done.”

Silence fell once more, followed by another wave of exclamations from the students.

Evelyn smirked, standing up and stepping closer to me. “Alright, Thomas. You have yourself a deal.”

She extended her hand, and I took it without hesitation.

As we shook hands, Felix finally lost his composure. “This is bullshit!” he exploded. “Do you think this changes anything?”

I turned to him with a smug expression. “Oh, it changes everything, Felix.”

With that, I placed my arm around Evelyn’s waist and led her away, leaving the entire hallway in an uproar.