The Rich Heir​

Some trust-fund kid strolled into the amusement park and, not wanting to wait in line, offered to buy my best friend and me out of our spots near the front.

When Mia heard the offer, she exploded. "Money can't buy you everything! We may be poor, but we have dignity. You want our spots? Dream on!"

She grabbed my arm, her voice a fierce whisper. "Leah, we worked hard for this day out. You're not just going to give up our spots, right? We have to have some self-respect."

Her words almost convinced me to tell the guy to get lost.

But then, a series of comments scrolled across my vision, like some kind of augmented reality feed:

【The main character is so naive. Last time, after she refused the rich heir, her 'best friend' immediately added him on social media behind her back, sold him the spots, and pocketed fifty grand.】

【Later, when the MC's parents got sick and she needed money, that same 'friend' not only refused to lend her a dime but pretended she didn't even know her. The MC ended up dying on the streets. A total tragedy.】

I froze, staring at the phantom text.

Fifty grand? Just for giving up a spot in line?

You should have led with that.

1

"We've been waiting since six this morning," Mia hissed in my ear, a frantic buzz of indignation. "We stood in this line for over an hour. These rich jerks just love to humiliate people. Don't you dare say yes."

My head was spinning, the phantom comments still scrolling through my vision. 【Come on, MC, don't be an idiot. That's fifty thousand dollars. Don't listen to your trash friend and throw that away for 'dignity'.】

Crude, but true. All I could see were dollar signs. Fifty. Thousand. Dollars.

I graduated a little over a year ago. My salary is barely four grand a month. It would take me years to save that much money.

Decision made. I walked over to the guy, who was starting to look impatient. "No problem, sir. Fifty thousand, you said? I'm actually getting tired of waiting anyway. The spot's all yours."

"Your Venmo." He pulled out his phone, flashing the screen at me. For a second, I thought it was a phone number, not a bank balance.

"Leah, what are you doing?!" Mia shrieked, stomping her foot. "Have you no self-respect? Selling out for a little cash!"

I ignored her, pulling out my own phone.

【What's happening? Did the main character just get a brain? This isn't how it's supposed to go.】

【No, this is perfect. The male lead likes people who know how to adapt. Arguing with him gets you nowhere. He was in a bad mood today and just came to the park to unwind, and the original MC just made things worse by being difficult.】

A soft ding from my phone confirmed the transfer. $50,000.00 received.

A jolt went through me, making the hair on my arms stand up. My family has never seen this much money in one place. I just earned it by standing around for an hour.

Somebody pinch me. Or slap me. This feels too easy; I'm almost suspicious.

"Sir," I said, a brilliant idea striking me. "Since you've been so generous, let me...