Chapter 2 The Campus Belle

• "I'm Petra Snowden."
• The beautiful woman tried her best to remain calm. She asked, "Do you remember the car accident from three years ago?"
• Car accident?
• Memories rushed back like a tide.
• Liam fully awoke from his dream and returned to reality.
• He finally remembered. That night, after graduating from university and having a farewell dinner, he staggered out of a karaoke bar, drunk, and had been hit by a car.
• Wait—Petra?
• "Are you Petra, the genius, campus belle of River City University?"
• The name suddenly came back to Liam. Petra had been a legend, holding the title of campus belle for years. Though she was only a year older than him, by the time Liam graduated, Petra had already completed her Ph.D.
• No way. In the past, it was nearly impossible for me to catch a glimpse of this campus belle. Now, she's my girlfriend?
• Liam was suddenly filled with excitement.
• Such an opportunity is not to be missed! Time to make a move!
• Without any hesitation, Liam wrapped his arms around Petra's waist. Liam gently slid his hands down to give her a gentle squeeze.
• Oh, the sensation is just perfect.
• "Hey, stop it! Don't touch me."
• Petra's face flushed red. This guy had just woken up—how could he already be acting like such a rascal?
• "I'm sorry. Yes, it was me who hit you."
• What?
• Liam was stunned. So, this girl is the culprit?
• No wonder she's treating me so well.
• "Liam, there's something I need to tell you."
• Petra's expression grew more serious as she explained, "After the accident, I took you to the hospital and stayed here to take care of you. The nurses mistook me for your girlfriend.
• "At the time, my grandfather was pressuring me to date Philip Mallin. But Philip's personal life was messy—he had some questionable tendencies. I was cornered, so I went along with it and said I was your girlfriend.
• "For the past three years, the entire city has known that I have a comatose boyfriend."
• Liam accused, "Ms. Snowden, you really took advantage of the fact that a coma patient can't speak and forcing me into a relationship, huh?"
• He finally understood how he had ended up with a girlfriend.
• "I apologize; I was wrong. I'll make it up to you."
• Petra smiled apologetically and said, "But, for now, I still need you to do me one more favor."
• "What? Have me continued to pose as your boyfriend?
• Liam asked casually.
• "No, I need you to marry me."
• Petra's tone was deadly serious. She explained, "Even though I used you as my shield for three years, my grandpa still wants me to marry Philip.
• "And it's all because Philip is the heir to the Mallins—one of River City's Noble Houses.
• "Liam, let's make a deal.
• "Your parents had passed away, and you only made it through college thanks to the help of relatives. However, shortly after your graduation, an accident left you in a coma. It's been challenging for you to find a proper job, right? You're probably in desperate need of money.
• "We'll have a contract marriage for one year. I'll give you 100,000 dollars every month. At the end of the year, we'll divorce. After that, I'll pay you an additional 10 million dollars. It won't make you filthy rich, but you'll never have to worry about money again."
• Petra looked at Liam expectantly and asked, "What do you think?"
• "Sounds good. Let's get married."
• Liam hesitated for only three seconds—any longer would be disrespecting that 10 million dollars.
• He was indeed short on cash, after all. Right now, he had nothing.
• Even though he seemed capable of spiritual cultivation, that required a lot of money too.
• "Darling, I want to leave the hospital."
• No one likes hospitals, and Liam was no exception.
• "You've just woken up. Your body hasn't fully recovered yet. Maybe you should wait a few days."
• Before Petra could finish, Liam scooped her up, walking around the room.
• "Need me to prove my health in any other way? Like maybe doing ... what married couples do?"
• "Arghh! No! Put me down! I'll go get your discharge paperwork!"
• Petra was panicked and confused. How could a guy who'd been in a coma for three years be so lively right after waking up?
• Liam finally put her down, though somewhat reluctantly.
• Her figure—so comfortable to hold.
• "I brought you some clothes and shoes. You should change." Petra handed Liam a bag, then prepared to leave.
• "Wait, I almost forgot something," Liam said seriously. "Considering your physique, I wouldn't mind sharing a bed with you.
• "But if you expect me to do that, that's more like selling my body.
• "Though I'm open to selling both my skills and my body, if it's the latter ... the price has to go up."
• Petra glared at him, fists clenched. She was this close to hitting him.
• "You were way cuter when you were a coma patient!"
• With that, Petra stormed off in a huff.
• "Please, the Nine Nymphs of Etheria all fight to sleep with me, okay?"
• Liam muttered to himself.
• But alas, that was all just a dream.
• Memories can escape from dreams, but people can't crawl back out.
• "Guess I'll go take a shower."
• Liam noticed that his hospital room had a private bathroom.
• Just as he was about to head in, a voice came from the door.
• "What the hell? You're really awake, you useless country bumpkin?"
• A young man dressed head to toe in designer brands walked in, with two burly men blocking the entrance.
• "I'm Osbert Snowden. Petra's my cousin. Don't even think about getting close to her to climb the social ladder, you worthless piece of sh*t!"
• Osbert tossed a bundle of cash at Liam and declared, "Here's 100,000 dollars. Take the money and get lost!"