The girl blinked in silence. The guy scoffed and shook his head.

“That’s a first. Never had anyone say that before… Sorry, not interested. Just because you’ve got money doesn’t mean you run the world. Take your cash and buzz off.” He even waved dismissively.

“You—”

“Stop it!” Hadley yanked at Eric’s sleeve, absolutely mortified.

“Let’s just go!”

“I’m not finished.” Eric stood his ground, gripping her hand tightly. He turned back to the pair and said flatly, “Ten thousand dollars. Per seat.”

“W-what?” Both students froze, thinking they’d misheard.

“Hey!” Hadley’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment.

“What are you even thinking?”

She yanked at his arm in a panic.

“Stop it! Let’s just go! I don’t need a seat!”

But Eric stood firm—completely immovable. His patience thinning, he swallowed and calmly repeated, “Twenty thousand dollars per seat. How’s that?”

Hadley turned her head away, utterly mortified—she couldn’t bear to watch.

“Deal!” the young woman blurted, scrambling to unlock her phone.

“Scan my QR code!”

“Alright.” Eric coolly pulled out his phone and transferred the money.

The guy blinked, then jumped in too.

“Same here—I’m in!”

“Thank you both,” Eric said, nodding politely.

The two students took the money, gathered their things, and quickly left their seats.

Hadley stood frozen, speechless. What on earth could she even say?

Every story unfolds at gα?ησν?s．

“Hadley.” Eric turned and gave her a casual smile, jerking his chin toward the window seat.

“You take that one.”

She gawked at him.

“Did you seriously have to do that?”

“What did I do?” Eric looked genuinely puzzled.

“I didn’t force anyone. I paid them well—they benefited, and we’ve got the seats. It was fair and square.”

She couldn’t deny the logic, but still—it felt like showboating. She was too self-conscious for something so flashy.

“Sit,” Eric said with a smirk.

“It’s paid for. Don’t waste it. It’s not like my money grows on trees.”

He stepped aside, allowing her to slip into the window seat. Then he sat beside her, glancing into Carriage 9.

“I can see Andrea from here—perfect spot.”

Then, in a softer tone, he added, “Relax. Ernest asked me to look after you—and I will see to it that you’re safe.”

Suddenly, Hadley turned and stared at him, wide-eyed and unblinking.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Eric assumed Hadley remained upset about their earlier exchange.

“Are you still mad at me?”

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