NEVER NO DOLLAR

New Rising Influencer

“This will take time, but not too long,” Leonidas said with unwavering confidence. “I’m one hundred percent sure we’ll make it.”

Claire shifted uneasily, still unsure about his idea to turn them into an influencer couple. The plan seemed bold, maybe even reckless.

Leonidas noticed her hesitation and smiled reassuringly. “We’ll be popular. Everyone will know us! But don’t worry—I’ll stay behind the scenes. You’ll be the star, shining brighter than anyone.”

Despite his enthusiasm, doubt lingered in Claire’s expression. Leonidas leaned in, determined to persuade her. “Think of it as an investment for your future. Even after we break up, you’ll still be a top-tier influencer. And tell me, who’s your biggest role model?”

“Rebecca Sprouse,” Claire answered without hesitation.

Leonidas grinned, clearly pleased. “Exactly. I’ll put you on the same catwalk as her.”

Claire’s eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face. “What?” she said, her voice tinged with incredulity. “Leonidas, wait! How are you going to pull that off?”

Leonidas walked toward the door, his expression brimming with confidence. He glanced back at her with a sly smile. “I’ll make it happen. I have a way. Because my desire for revenge is bigger than anything else in this world.”

And just like that, Claire found herself swept into Leonidas’s carefully orchestrated plan. In no time, they became the latest sensation—a rising influencer couple capturing the public’s attention.

With guidance from Never No Dollar, Leonidas learned exactly how to make people adore them. Every post—whether from romantic dinners, dreamy vacations, or casual date nights—sold the perfect couple-goals aesthetic. Behind the scenes, the system worked tirelessly to push their content onto trending pages, ensuring their presence dominated social media feeds everywhere.

In just two weeks, Claire’s social media presence exploded. Her follower count skyrocketed, and the buzz around her spread like wildfire through campus. Everywhere she went, people whispered about her with a mixture of admiration, envy, and disbelief. Claire and Leonidas had effortlessly ascended to the top of the social hierarchy, becoming the faces of influence and affluence at the university.

Meanwhile, Emma—a girl who had once been the undisputed queen of popularity—felt her reign slipping away. Every conversation on campus now revolved around Claire, the new star. As Claire’s fame grew, Emma’s influence withered, casting her into the shadows of the very crowd she used to dominate.

But the jealousy wasn't only Emma’s burden to bear. Girls across the campus envied Claire, not just for her newfound fame but also for the way Leonidas treated her. He spoiled her extravagantly, and every public display of affection only fueled the gossip. Many girls who once ignored Claire now flocked to her, desperate to be in her orbit.

Claire sat at the center of the cafeteria, surrounded by a group of the most popular girls on campus. They leaned in close, treating her with deference, as if merely being near her would boost their own standing. Claire stirred her drink, feeling slightly out of place amid the constant chatter, but she knew she had to play the part. This was what Leonidas wanted.

One of the girls, a tall brunette with a sharp gaze named Alina Parker, smiled slyly as she twirled her straw. “So, Claire,” she began, her tone sugary yet curious, “you’ve been posting a lot about your relationship with Leonidas. Is it true that he took you on vacation for a week?”

Claire knew she wasn’t naturally inclined toward gossip, but now she was working toward Leonidas’s goal. She had to embody the persona they were creating. With a practiced smile, she responded smoothly. “Yes, it’s true. A high-class vacation every time—he makes even an introvert like me fall in love with adventure.”

The girls gasped in delight, their envy barely masked by admiration.

As Claire basked in the attention, Emma walked by, head down, gripping the straps of her purse tightly. The once-popular queen now found herself invisible in the crowd she used to command. When she heard Claire’s name floating from the conversation behind her, Emma hesitated. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she slipped behind a column, her heart pounding with bitter curiosity.

She strained to hear as Alina and the other girls giggled and bombarded Claire with more questions, their voices brimming with excitement.

Madison Clarke, leaned forward, giving Claire a smile that was polite yet tinged with jealousy. “That’s great, Claire,” she said, her voice sweet but strained. The other girls exchanged glances, their envy barely concealed. It was hard for them to believe that the same boy they once ridiculed—Leonidas, the quiet outsider—was now spoiling Claire, who had suddenly become the epitome of elegance. Their eyes, once filled with scorn for Leonidas, now gleamed with envious longing.

Emma clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. It was unbearable to listen, but she couldn’t stop herself. Claire, the girl who used to be a nobody, now sat in her place, surrounded by the very girls who had once worshipped Emma. And worst of all—she could see it in their voices—they adored Claire now.

Back to the conversation, a girl with auburn hair, Sophia Hartley, tilted her head curiously. “And... is he really rich?” she asked, unable to resist the question.

Claire’s expression shifted slightly, her brows lifting as if half-offended. “What do you mean by that?” she asked, a hint of sharpness in her voice.

Sophia quickly backtracked, waving her hands as she tried to explain. “I mean, everyone thought his transformation was fake. You know—like, just an act to make Emma and Derek jealous.”

Claire let out a soft, polite laugh, but the subtle disdain in her tone was unmistakable. From her hidden spot nearby, Emma clenched her jaw, her heart pounding with frustration. The girls’ words felt like knives, and Claire’s amused dismissal only twisted the blade deeper.

Claire smiled coolly, eyes glinting with quiet satisfaction. “Should I take you to my apartment?” she offered, her tone casual but laced with subtle arrogance. “The one he bought for me.”

Madison’s eyes widened. “Ah, so it’s true,” she said, the disbelief in her voice betraying her excitement. “I heard rumors, but I didn’t think he actually bought you an apartment.”

Claire’s smile deepened as she confirmed it. “Yes. And it’s not just that—vacations, an apartment, anything I want. All of it is easy for him.” She paused for effect, letting the weight of her words sink in. “So... should I throw a party for you all? I’ll ask him to arrange everything. He’ll make sure it’s nothing short of the best.”

The girls exchanged eager glances, their jealousy momentarily giving way to anticipation. They had come to Claire hoping to share in her newfound luxury, and it seemed their wish might just come true.

Another girl, Lila Donovan, leaned in excitedly. “And I saw your picture with Rebecca Sprouse! Did you really meet her in person, Claire?” she asked, her voice filled with disbelief and awe.

Claire gave a casual nod, her expression calm but laced with pride. “Yes, of course,” she replied smoothly. “Leon took me on a vacation, and Paris was our last stop because he knew I’ve always admired Rebecca Sprouse. He wanted me to meet my idol in person.”

The girls gasped, exchanging envious glances. Lila’s voice dropped to a wistful murmur. “You’re so lucky, Claire. I’ve been dreaming for years of meeting a top supermodel like her, but she’s always so busy. Not just anyone gets to see her—even a quick photo is rare.”

Claire smirked slightly, sensing the growing envy around her. Lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, she leaned toward the group. “Do you want to know how to meet her in person? And not just meet her—but have a private chat with her, just the two of you, in a special room?”

The girls’ eyes gleamed with interest as they inched closer, hanging on Claire’s every word.

Claire’s smile widened as she delivered the punchline. “All you need... is a boyfriend who can buy her time for you.”

A collective groan of jealousy rippled through the group, their disappointment evident. They knew deep down that none of them could dream of having a boyfriend like Leonidas—someone with the wealth, influence, and charm to make impossible things happen.

Claire basked in their envy for a moment before adding with a nonchalant air, “If you scroll through my SNS, you’ll see I’ve always been passionate about modeling. I think it’s time I get back into it again.”

Madison leaned in with wide eyes. “Really?” she asked, clearly amazed.

Claire nodded with a self-satisfied smile. “Yes—thanks to Leon, of course. I’m so lucky to have someone who cares about my interests and goes out of his way to fulfill my desires. And he’s been nothing but loyal, even though we’ve only been together for two weeks.”

Sophia sighed wistfully. “Oh girl, I am so jealous.”

Claire chuckled, feeling triumphant. It was clear to her that she had successfully taken the top spot in the social hierarchy. The attention and admiration of these girls confirmed that she had finally reached a place where she could bask in influence and power.

But then, Lila made a comment that piqued Claire’s attention. “Emma would cry if she knew about all of this.”

Claire’s smile faltered momentarily. She turned her head, looking to random direction in the room—and that’s when she noticed a figure lurking behind the wall near them. The shadow gave it away: it was Emma. A slow, mischievous smile spread across Claire’s face as she raised her voice just enough to ensure her words would reach Emma’s ears.

“Why would she cry?” Claire said, feigning innocence. “To her, my Leon was just a loser. And as far as I know, pretty girls don’t cry over losers.”

The group erupted into light, conspiratorial laughter, but Claire’s words hit their intended target with precision.

Emma, still hidden behind the wall, felt a sharp sting of humiliation. Every word Claire spoke was like salt in a wound. Her fists clenched at her sides, her breath shaky, but she bit down hard on her lip, determined not to give Claire the satisfaction of knowing how much it hurt.

Madison smirked as she continued, “We all know how badly Emma played with Leonidas’ feelings. Now that she’s found out he’s actually rich and sees him spoiling you, Claire, it must be eating her up inside. Jealousy, perhaps? Just look at her—since you became the new rising influencer, her reputation has started to fade.”

Claire pressed her lips together, holding back a laugh, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Come on, girls, don’t say things like that. What if Emma heard us? She was your friend, after all.”

Sophia scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Ha! I wouldn’t want to stay friends with that arrogant witch! Who knows? She might toy with me just like she played with Leonidas.”

The group burst into laughter, their ridicule filling the cafeteria. Claire remained calm, but a subtle smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she joined in, quietly basking in her subtle triumph.

Suddenly, Emma could no longer contain her anger. She stepped out from her hiding spot, her expression burning with rage. “What a great fortune for a fallen princess like you, Claire!”

The group gasped, stunned by Emma’s unexpected appearance. The tension in the air became thick as Emma’s gaze swept across the girls—her former friends—one by one. Their once-friendly faces were now filled with guilt and discomfort under Emma’s sharp glare.

Finally, Emma’s fierce gaze landed on Claire. Her voice dripped with sarcasm and bitterness. “Congratulations, Claire. You really lucked out—getting a prince with enough wealth to drain, but still, don't forget about who you were before.”