Grayson and his two friends returned to campus and went to class. When the lecture ended, they flowed out of the building along with the rest of the students.
"Hey, Grayson!" A girl's voice called out, making him pause. "Grayson, you haven't followed me yet, right?"
"Follow you?" Grayson looked puzzled.
"Oh, come on—I opened a live‐stream channel yesterday. All our classmates logged on to support me and followed my account. I checked just now, and it seems you haven't followed me yet! Why don't you sign up for an account and follow me?"
The girl speaking was none other than Lexi, the well‐known busty beauty of their class. Lexi wasn't just pretty; her generous proportions were famous, and her flawless skin looked as if it had been smoothed by Photoshop—no blemish, no flaw.
"Lexi, why do you want him to follow you? Are you falling for him or something?" another girl whispered, clearly hungry for gossip.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Lexi stomped her foot and lowered her voice. "I just started streaming—I need as many followers as possible to boost my view count. That's why I asked him, okay? It's not like I like him. Stop talking nonsense!"
"If I were you, Lexi, I wouldn't bother," yet another girl chimed in. "He's so broke—why would he tip you or send you gifts? What use is a fan like that?"
That girl was Sienna, and she didn't even glance at Grayson as she spoke. Her tone was dismissive.
"Sienna's right," a classmate added. "Lexi, you already have 'silentG'—that generous donor on your stream. With silentG backing you, you'll be a top streamer in no time!"
"Right! silentG gave Lexi ten thousand dollars last night. I'm so jealous!"
"Lexi is amazing."
"Lucky Lexi—pretty face, great figure—and silentG spoils her rotten."
The girls clustered around Lexi, buzzing with envy and admiration at the mere mention of the mysterious "silentG." Lexi just smiled and basked in their attention. In that moment, she became the center of the crowd's focus.
Sienna, standing off to the side, felt a dark cloud settle over her expression. She was jealous—furious, actually. She envied Lexi for earning $10000 from SilentG's tips overnight. She envied how everyone fawned over Lexi, how Lexi had become the object of such admiration.
And Sienna was offended, too—because she didn't think she was any less deserving. Though her bust wasn't as generous as Lexi's, she had curves in all the right places and legs so long they could make a man's head spin. Any guy would be drawn to her seductive gaze. What girl doesn't crave a little vanity? Who wouldn't want to be the center of attention?
So seeing Lexi treated like a star made Sienna seethe. She clutched her bag and tried to pretend it didn't bother her, but inside she boiled with resentment.
Just then, a white Volkswagen Passat cut against the tide of students and rolled up to the front steps of the lecture hall. It was peak class‐change hour, and students quickly made way for the car. The Passat came to a stop, and a young man climbed out.
"My darling!"
The driver wore a light blue suit. It was none other than Sebastian Caldwell. The moment Sienna spotted him, she leaped off the stairs and sprinted toward him, throwing herself into his arms and wrapping both arms around his neck. She clung to him, her face alight with joy. More students turned to watch—after all, not many kids at Hawthorne University have boyfriends who can afford a Passat.
In that instant, Sienna's vanity swelled. Yes—look at her boyfriend, arriving in style to pick her up! How impressive was that? Dumping Grayson had been the wisest decision of her life. That broke loser would never have brought her such attention or such excitement. He was only worthy of being a fan who boosted views by a few measly clicks.
Letting Sebastian lift her into the car, Sienna sank into the plush leather seat, all the while savoring the envious stares around her.
"My love, you're amazing," she cooed, caressing the Passat's spotless interior. "Is this car yours?"
Sebastian slid into the driver's seat and ran a hand over the steering wheel. With the other, he stroked Sienna's thigh. "Just got it. How about from now on, I pick you up in this car every time, my sweetheart?"
"That sounds perfect!" Sienna beamed. Being seen arriving in Sebastian's new Passat would solidify her status as the campus goddess—the one everyone envied. Much better than Lexi's fleeting fame.
"Let's go grab something to eat," Sebastian said. His hand trailed teasingly up and down Sienna's leg—a not‐so‐subtle reminder that he wanted more than dinner. After all, Sebastian was known as the History Department's "prince charming"—a seasoned romantic. He'd had his eyes on Sienna ever since he helped pry her away from Grayson. He wanted her badly, but they'd never been intimate. So today, he'd spurred himself to buy a sleek Passat. From Sienna's reaction, it was well worth it.
Sienna, cheeks still flush, nodded shyly. She adored Sebastian's grand gestures. He'd stolen some of Lexi's thunder today, especially in front of Grayson. Oddly enough, since breaking up with Grayson, Sienna had developed a gleeful desire to humiliate him—if he stayed unaffected, she'd feel cheated; if he showed jealousy and rage, she'd feel triumphant. Today, she got her payoff.
"Where are we going for dinner, my love?" she purred.
"We've arrived." Sebastian parked and killed the engine.
Sienna opened the door and looked up. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head as she cried, "Is that… a Michelin‐star restaurant? Wow, darling, you're incredible!"
It was a three‐starred Michelin establishment—luxury personified.
"Come on in," Sebastian said proudly. "I reserved table number six."
Seeing Sienna's ecstatic expression, Sebastian felt that every penny he'd spent was worth it. He might be a second‐generation rich kid, but this was his first time in a Michelin restaurant. He'd splurged on a new car and an elite table, all to win Sienna over.
"Unbelievable, darling—so lavish!" Sienna breathed as they approached the table. Table six sat in the very center of the room, set apart from the others by a waist‐high screen—an instant signal that it was special. The dining hall had over fifty tables, but only five enjoyed such seclusion. To dine at Michelin was already a feat; to have a prime, semi‐private table? Pure prestige.
The chair at table six looked like a throne, with sculpted armrests and intricately carved wood. Sitting there, Sienna could practically feel the aura of royalty.
At that moment, the restaurant was a bit noisy.
"Mr. Cole?" A waiter in a sharp vest and tie approached.
"Yes, that's me," Sebastian replied with a grin. He'd requested table six over the phone, but he hadn't realized just how lavish it would be. He thought to himself that perhaps next time he could try a more modest table—it would be cheaper and still accomplish the goal. He tapped his fingers on the seat, momentarily regretting the extra cost. But as long as he was at a Michelin, nothing else mattered.
The waiter swiftly set out gleaming silverware, and Sienna gasped.
"All silverware!" She reached out to run her fingers over the polished utensils and the placemat woven with silver threads—every detail spoke of refinement. Table six even had a dedicated server standing at attention, underscoring the guests' exclusivity. The other tables didn't have personal attendants.
Course after course arrived. True to Michelin form, the portions were small but exquisitely plated—every dish a miniature work of culinary art. The plates themselves were ornate, complementing each mouthful.
This was Sienna's first experience with such haute cuisine. As she tasted each bite, she gazed at Sebastian with lingering adoration.
Midway through the meal, four musicians strolled in—one saxophonist, two violinists, and an accordionist, all clad in black tuxedos. They began to play a soft jazz serenade by the table.
The combination of fine dining, live music, and an ambiance of pure elegance was nothing short of magical. Other diners glanced enviously at Sienna whenever they could.
Sienna, for her part, could hardly believe her luck. A live band playing just for them—this felt like a scene straight out of a movie!
"My love, I'm so happy," she gushed in between bites, her eyes shining. "I'm the luckiest woman alive!"
In that moment, Sienna's vanity soared to unprecedented heights. She smirked at the thought of having dumped Grayson—what could he ever have given her like this? He'd never afford Michelin, let alone a prime table inside it. Her scorn for him deepened as she settled into the splendor of her evening, assured that she was now the envy of everyone around her.