NEVER NO DOLLAR

What The Ex Deserved To

Leonidas walked alone through the campus corridor, his hands tucked into his pockets. There was no pressing reason to seek Claire, yet he found himself looking for her. It had become a quiet ritual—ensuring that he spoke to her at least once a day, even if the conversations were trivial. As he wandered, a thought struck him: all these excuses were just a mask for the simple truth—he wanted to see Claire.

Was Leonidas attracted to her? If anyone were asked, the answer would be obvious. Claire Adwell, the Noble Lady, was the kind of beauty that no one could ignore—graceful, elegant, and seemingly untouchable. But Leonidas held back a smile, restraining himself. He reminded himself of the boundaries between them and the importance of remaining professional, even when his thoughts betrayed him.

As his gaze shifted to his surroundings, he noticed how differently people regarded him now. Gone were the days when they looked at him with contempt, like a stray dog daring to enter a palace. Now, their eyes followed him with a mixture of curiosity and unease, though few dared to meet his gaze directly.

A short laugh escaped his lips. The contrast between the present and the past was almost comical. Those who once bullied him now hovered around Claire like moths drawn to a flame. While they never explicitly sought his forgiveness—likely too ashamed to do so—Leonidas knew exactly why they clung to Claire. It wasn’t just her charm or popularity that pulled them in; they recognized the sway he now held over campus society. Whether they admitted it or not, they knew that Claire’s rise in status was tied to him—and they wanted a piece of that influence.

Leonidas activated the Never No Dollar system, eagerly opening his user page to review his progress. A satisfied smile spread across his face as he examined the results displayed on the screen:

User Status:

Name: Leonidas

Balance: $50,000

Completed Quests: 12

Rewards Earned: $15,000

Within a month of utilizing the system, Leonidas had experienced significant changes in his life, particularly regarding his finances. No longer the struggling young man he once was, he now found himself unburdened by financial constraints, able to buy what he wanted without a second thought. By completing various quests, he had amassed a substantial amount of reward money, which allowed him to utilize the system’s unique purchase feature. With just a click, any item he bought through the system would magically return additional rewards—almost as if by enchantment.

“This system is insane,” Leonidas remarked, marveling at the sophistication and capabilities it offered. It not only provided him with money but also imparted valuable knowledge and guidance, enabling him to navigate his surroundings with newfound confidence.

As he entered the campus cafeteria, his eyes scanned the room until they landed on Claire. A wave of happiness washed over him, and he began to approach her. However, just as he was about to reach her, Emma emerged from the other side, confronting Claire with a fierce expression.

“What a great fortune for the fallen princess like you, Claire!” Emma sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I guess you finally found a prince you can drain wealth from.”

Leonidas paused, confusion etched on his face. He stepped back, intrigued by the unfolding drama. Claire remained composed, her demeanor calm in stark contrast to Emma’s anger. Watching the tension escalate, Leonidas couldn’t help but smile, sensing that Claire would emerge victorious from this encounter.

Emma, visibly agitated, seized the opportunity to attack Claire. “Everyone knows who you are, Claire Adwell—the daughter of a bankrupt businessman with a terminally ill mother. Everyone also remembers how you had to put yourself down because you could no longer pretend to have it all—like when you had a father!”

Claire’s calm gaze belied the emotion brewing beneath the surface. She disliked how Emma invoked her family's misfortunes as if they were mere ammunition in a petty rivalry. Leonidas, observing from a distance, found Emma's remarks outrageous but chose to trust in Claire’s ability to handle such situations.

Emma continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “And now that you have a rich boyfriend, how nice it must be to finally relax and let the servants serve you! You don’t have to work to survive or worry about your mother’s hospital bills anymore.”

Claire remained silent, allowing Emma to finish her tirade. “And here you are, bragging about everything that man gave you as if you’ve forgotten your past. Ha! That’s so funny. Haven’t you forgotten that the guy you’re dating used to be my toy?”

A crowd began to gather, drawn by the commotion, eager to witness the unfolding drama. Emma felt a surge of triumph at the thought of humiliating Claire in front of everyone, convinced she had the upper hand—until Claire finally spoke.

“I didn’t know you were this good at remembering someone’s past, Emma.” The simple yet piercing remark silenced Emma, her confidence visibly shaken by Claire's unexpected retort.

“What do you mean?” Emma asked, her tone shifting from brash to defensive, unsure of how to respond.

Claire smiled slightly, her expression a blend of defiance and calm. “Thank you for reminding me who I am, but what does it matter now? If I become Leonidas’ lover and enjoy his money, is it my fault? Isn’t it natural for him to spend his money on me? Even when he was with you, he spent every cent to make you happy. You only see the amount; I see the hard work behind it.”

Emma bristled at the implication. “Are you saying I’m a woman who never sees a man’s hard work?”

Claire met her gaze with a haughty smile. “Aren’t you just like that? Everyone knows how Leonidas fell in love with you, but you played him anyway.”

A ripple of whispers began to circulate among the onlookers, their unfriendly stares directed at Emma, who felt the heat of their judgment weigh heavily on her. The shift in the crowd's mood was palpable, and Emma's confidence began to waver.

But Claire didn’t give her a moment to regain her composure. She pressed on, her voice steady. “I haven’t forgotten who I am, and I don’t deny that I am the ‘fallen princess,’ as you said. But Emma, I don’t live in the past. I live for today, and today—Leonidas is the most influential person in school, and I am his girlfriend.”

The statement hung in the air, a declaration that transformed the dynamic of the confrontation. Emma’s face flushed, a mixture of anger and humiliation reflected in her eyes as she realized the tide had turned against her.

Claire flashed a winning, mischievous smile that left Leonidas rooted to the spot, admiring her with newfound admiration. He had never seen this side of her—this bold, confident demeanor that contrasted sharply with her usual calm and cool personality.

“Wow, she’s incredible,” Leonidas murmured, genuinely impressed. He didn’t realize Claire had spotted him until she dashed over and wrapped her arms around him in front of everyone, including a visibly embarrassed Emma.

“Emma,” Claire said, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm, “just like I live today without forgetting my past, I hope you can do the same. Ha-ha!” She turned to Leonidas, showcasing their affection. “Darling, you didn’t forget that I’m going to Skylar Academy today, did you?”

Gasps rippled through the crowd at the mention of New York’s most prestigious modeling academy, eyes wide with disbelief.

Leonidas, sensing the shift in attention, followed Claire’s lead, embracing her waist a little more intimately. Claire was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained her composure, maintaining a confident smile.

“Of course, darling. Wherever you want me to take you, I’ll fill up my gas tank,” he replied, his voice warm and affectionate.

Together, Leonidas and Claire exited the cafeteria, leaving Emma standing in her embarrassment, stripped of the attention she once commanded. The crowd’s focus had shifted entirely, and Emma felt like a forgotten diva, her previous confidence crumbling under the weight of their indifference.

Emma fought back tears, the shame tearing at her heart, but she refused to let them fall; her pride wouldn’t allow it. As she glanced around the corner, she spotted Derek, who had been watching her humiliation unfold. The moment their eyes met, he turned and walked away, a silent message echoing in the space between them: she was alone now.

In a rush of anger and humiliation, Emma bolted to the bathroom. Once she ensured she was completely alone, she unleashed her fury, screaming into the empty room. “I hate you, Claire! And you too, Leonidas!”

Her voice echoed off the tiles, a stark contrast to her fragile state. She felt betrayed and alone, blaming Leonidas for bringing her to this humiliating point. “Your plan to ruin me is working, isn’t it?” she seethed, convinced that Claire's rapid rise in popularity was just another facet of Leonidas' revenge.

“So this is your revenge, Leonidas?” Emma spoke to her reflection in the bathroom's wide mirror, her disheveled appearance a testament to her emotional turmoil. Her eyes were red from crying, and her hair hung loosely around her face, a chaotic crown for a shattered queen.

“I will make you regret this, Leonidas. I WILL DEFINITELY DESTROY YOU, YOU BASTARD! AAAARGH!” she screamed, the words escaping her lips like a primal cry for justice.

After venting her emotions, Emma’s cell phone rang, breaking the silence that enveloped her. She glanced at the screen—an unknown number. Without thinking, she answered.

“Need a friend to destroy Leonidas? I have a good deal for you."