It wasn't until a few days later that Leif and Jeanette's paths officially crossed.

The first real argument between Jeanette and Chuck erupted not long after they arrived in Magnolia. It all started because Jeanette had her eye on an expensive designer item, but Chuck flat-out refused to buy it for her, saying it was too much. The argument lasted the entire car ride home, with Chuck-rarely so stern-finally losing his temper.

"I broke things off with my family and came to this dump of a college for you, Jeanette. Tell me, is there anything you've wanted that I haven't bought for you?"

He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his tone sharp. "Don't you think you're pushing it? It'd be one thing if I still had money, but my parents froze my cards. Can't you just be a little more understanding?"

Chuck's outburst echoed in the cramped car. Jeanette looked at his unremarkable face, already feeling a growing sense of disgust. He made a fuss over a bit of money-just as she suspected, he was nothing more than a flashy upstart, lacking the easy grace of real old money. Maybe she'd have to get used to hard times if she stuck with him, and that thought made her stomach twist.

Jeanette's annoyance deepened as she stewed in silence. After a while, a glint flickered in her eyes as a new idea came to her. She cast a final glance at Chuck —still fuming about her spending—and made up her mind.

Leif, after all, was royalty—even if only from some distant African country. He could certainly offer more than Chuck ever would. Thinking of Chuck's forgettable features, and then remembering Leif's dark, striking face, Jeanette felt a surge of confidence. Back home, she might have been ordinary, but here in Magnolia- surrounded by tall, fair-haired women-her petite, delicate looks stood out.

With a man like Leif, Jeanette was sure she could have him eating out of her hand. Still, he was a bit too dark for her tastes; maybe he could be her backup plan, but she'd never actually marry a Black man. The very thought made her scoff. No, that was out of the question.

With her mind made up, Jeanette started plotting her next move.

The following day, she was planning to use Chuck as an excuse to get closer to Leif. But to her surprise, Leif somehow got her number and texted her first, inviting her out.

Seeing his message, Jeanette couldn't help but smile to herself.

That afternoon, they met at a café near campus. Leif was the perfect gentleman, his manners warm and polished, while Jeanette put on an air of Superiority, as if she were above it all. Leif didn't seem the least bit bothered in fact after he left, e sent over several designer handbags-each one worth a small fortune.

FindNovels

Jeanette's eyes sparkled at the sight of those rare, limited-edition bags she hadn't seen in ages.

For the next several days, Leif sent her more gifts-jewelry, clothes, even the latest gadgets. His generosity awakened a greedy longing in her.

Finally, one evening, Leif invited her out for drinks. This time, Jeanette didn't say

no.

A few glasses of wine later, one thing led to another, and they ended up in bed together.

After that night, Leif's generosity

only grew. Whatever Jeanette asked

for, he made sure it was

delivered sometimes by the very

next morning. Jeanette couldn

resist, was sneaking Soon, she

around behind Chuck's back

meeting Leif in hotels whenever he

called.

FindNovels

It didn't take long for Chuck to catch on.

When he confronted her, Jeanette didn't even bother to deny it. "If you weren't so cheap with me, do you think I'd be with Leif?"

Chuck's face turned crimson with rage. He lunged at Jeanette and slapped her across the face. The two of them ended up in a full-blown fight, shouting and shoving, until finally one of Chuck's friends stepped in and dragged them apart.

After that, Jeanette didn't see the point in hiding anymore. She went public with her relationship with Leif.

She'd thought that Leif would be endlessly grateful for her "charity" in agreeing to be with him. And for a while, he was-showering her with gifts, even more lavish than before.

Then, a month later, Leif told her he wanted to bring her back to Africa to meet his family. At first, Jeanette refused. But when Leif promised that, once they returned, he'd gift her a whole estate Jeanettes eyes up: Greed won out, and she agreed to go with him. FindNovels