Defying the Comments: The Rise of a Female Mogul

The comments section flooded with mockery.

"Look at this nobody who can't handle money!"

"How long do you think hush money for your body lasts?"

"Just wait until Lena ends up with Gideon. You'll get what's coming!"

I glanced over at the comments, a smile tugging at my lips.

Who knew if Lena could even get Gideon's number? Right now, she was probably in the dorm, throwing a tantrum and smashing things.

That night, I sat on the balcony with a cup of tea. The evening breeze brushed against my skin, and suddenly, my last memory from my previous life surfaced in my mind.

I was in a shabby rental with drafts cutting through the thin walls, shivering alone until the cold slowly devoured me. I pulled the blanket tighter and let out a bitter laugh.

Money really could buy anything.

I opened my contacts list and found Gideon's name. I hesitated for a while before I finally typed a short message. After carefully choosing my words and rewriting it twice, I finally hit send.

"Mr. Hart, do you have a minute to talk?"

The screen glowed in the dark, but no reply came.

I felt neither anxious nor angry. It was just what I had expected. Gideon was the kind of man who kept his distance and never rushed to respond.

I put my phone away and went to sleep.

What I didn't know was that while I slept, an anonymous post was rapidly spreading on Kingsborough University's forum.

The title, with its suggestive wording, was clickbait, and the photos were just ambiguous enough to stir attention. The post quickly made its way to the trending list.

The next morning, the ringing of my phone jolted me awake. My professor, Felicity Eldridge, sounded stern over the line. "Evelyn, come to campus now! You're going to have to explain this!"

The moment I stepped into her office, Professor Eldridge nearly poked me in the nose with her finger.

"Evelyn, do you have no shame? You're a student—you should be studying, but this is what you choose to do? Disgraceful!"

I blinked, my mind going blank. "I don't understand. What are you talking about?"

"Drop the act!" She slammed a palm on the desk, her face flushed with fury.

Just then, Lena spoke up softly. "Evelyn, just admit it. Otherwise, Professor Eldridge can't cover for you."

I turned my head toward her. "What did you tell her?"

Her eyes welled up at once. "I'm saying this as your friend. Don't blame Professor Eldridge for being upset. She's only looking out for you."

Professor Eldridge snorted. "Save it, Evelyn! You had a one-night stand, and yet you don't have the nerve to admit it? You think we don't know? The photos are everywhere!"

My chest tightened. "That's not true!"

"You're still denying it? Fine! Let's see you talk your way out of this!"

Professor Eldridge shoved her phone at me. The screen displayed the anonymous post with a blurry screenshot of surveillance footage of a man carrying me into a hotel room.

I drew in a sharp breath as a chill ran through my veins.

The silhouette was unmistakable. The only time a man had carried me into a hotel was that night with Gideon.

That night, I had been on a catering shift at the hotel. I was taking plates to a private room when, all of a sudden, I felt dizzy. I told myself it was just the long hours and too little rest, then forced myself to push through.

The next thing I knew, the world went black.