Riches in Disguise

Her voice suddenly became weak, as if she had reverted back to the soft, fragile Lina I once knew.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her.

"Lina, you're beautiful and smart. If you just set your heart right, you could find a really good boyfriend. Why risk everything for money and get yourself into such dangerous situations?" I said sincerely.

I continued, "If you want a safe and reliable shoulder to lean on, I can introduce you to Benjamin or Liam from our dorm. They're both good men, and they will never care about wealth. They'll stay true to you."

Before I could finish my sentence, Lina suddenly looked up at me with disbelief.

"Those two from your dorm? The ugly, poor, and shabby ones? William, you want me to be with them?" she chided.

I was taken aback.

Benjamin and Liam weren't the best-looking, and they didn't have money. However, their character was solid.

Given Lina's current situation, she would be better off with honest men like them.

It would help her regain stability. Whether she wanted to break up later or if she developed feelings, that would be her choice.

I thought that would be the best choice for her.

While Benjamin and Liam weren't the most charming, their reputations were solid. Yet, Lina had already tarnished hers—at least in school.

Besides, she was the campus beauty. If she wanted someone to pick her up, she could find a better match. Honestly, I had a little selfish motive. I hoped to help my friends find better girlfriends.

"If you don't want to..."

I barely finished the sentence before a sharp slap landed on my face.

Though it didn't hurt, it left me stunned.

I looked up at Lina, struggling to accept what had just happened. "Why did you hit me?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at me, her face filled with a mix of deep disappointment and pain. "How dare you push me toward other men, especially those kinds of men? Is this how you want to insult me?"noveldrama

I was speechless. "What kind of men? If you look down on Benjamin and Liam so much, then go on and suffer with Dorian. Don't come to me for help when that happens!" I snapped, turning to leave.

Just as I took a step, Lina suddenly hugged me tightly from behind.

I froze.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

Soon, I felt wetness on my back. It was likely her tears.

She hadn't shown this much vulnerability in a long time, and it stirred a sense of reluctance in me. "Lina, why wait until now? If you had listened before, we wouldn't be in this mess. Just do as I say, and I'll help you talk to Dorian."

At that moment, I had made up my mind.

If Lina had truly reflected on her past mistakes and was willing to leave Dorian, I would help. I could pay back that 100 thousand dollars for her.

I could at least do this for old times' sake.

"I don't want anyone else. I just want you, William," she whispered.

I froze, completely shocked by her words.

I slowly turned around and looked at her in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Tears were streaming down her face. "I'm so tired. I don't want to deal with them anymore. I just want to go back to how we were before. I want you to be good to me. I want you to only love me."

I was speechless.

I never expected Lina to come back to me. However, it was too late now.

All I had left for her was a little pity and old feelings. My heart now belonged to Felicia.

"I'm sorry, Lina," I said. "I can't betray Felicia. If you leave Dorian, I promise I'll help you find a good man."