While eating a subsidized meal in the cafeteria, I scrolled into a livestream.

On the screen, I saw my nametag hanging around a dog's neck.

The "Golden Boys" of Harford were playing a game of ring toss... for love.

The rule was simple: Whoever landed a ring on the dog would become my "master."

And there were already four rings stacked on the puppy's neck.

Student Council President William Sterling scoffed.

"Interesting. Looks like we're all going to be playing with the same puppy."

The Finance Department's rising star, Madden Banks, raised an eyebrow.

"That new charity case transfer? She'll be head over heels for the four of us."

The campus movie star, Leo Hart, was eager to jump in.

"Why don't we make a bet? One month. Let's see who makes the puppy fall the hardest."

The medical genius, Arthur Caldwell, remained silent, but his eyes burned with a determination to win.

I closed the livestream, a cold smile curling on my lips.

What a coincidence, right?

My father transferred me to Harford specifically so I could pick a fiancé from among these four.

Too bad.

You're all out.

......

In the livestream, the girl on camera laughed and called out to the dog using my name.

"Lynn Evans, come here!"

"Good dog!"

"That poor student is so unlucky to run into you four bad boys right at the start of her college life!"

The crowd around them roared with laughter.

"Didn't that charity case come to Harford just to social climb? She must be thrilled right now!"

"I remember the last few girls either ended up getting abortions or dropping out because of you guys. You planning something new this time?"

"I can't wait to see that poor girl turn into a total lovesick fool!"

William wrapped his arm around the girl's shoulder with a doting smile.

"You came up with this game yourself. We're just playing along, yet you still scold us?"

Madden stood on her other side. He toyed with her pale fingers, looking utterly helpless.

"Exactly. Last time we went easy on a girl, she just cried a bit, and you weren't happy about that either."

"What do we have to do to satisfy you?"

"Princess?"

Leo flipped his bangs, speaking with confidence:

"Just weave a Cinderella dream for the poor girl. I know this script well."

"Place your bets, hurry. I'm betting ten million on myself!"

Arthur remained expressionless as he draped a jacket over the girl.

"I bet fifteen million."

Watching them humiliate me, I wasn't angry.

Because my real name is Evelyn Sterling.

To secretly scout for a fiancé at Harford, I had my dad create a fake identity for me.

And right now, I am "Lynn"—a certified charity case.

But what did anger me was how they could humiliate and trample on innocent girls without a shred of decency.

The four little tagalongs who used to tail me when we were kids... had turned into this?

I shook my head in disappointment.

I gave them all a score of zero.

Men like this don't deserve to be my fiancé.

Just as I was about to lock my screen and leave, a few more comments popped up on the livestream feed.

[Why are all four of them orbiting her?! Is she planning to marry all of them?]

[Please! That's Charlotte Sterling! The heiress of the Sterling family!]

[The four of them are Charlotte's childhood sweethearts! They swore that even if they couldn't marry her, they'd protect her forever!]

Charlotte?

The Sterling family heiress?

When exactly did my parents manage to produce a fully grown little sister for me?

I was just puzzling over it when a shadow fell over me.

I looked up to find William and Madden flanking me, while Leo and Arthur sat opposite.

The noisy cafeteria fell silent in an instant.

Every pair of eyes in the room fixed on my table.

William tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear with practiced ease, his voice dripping with pity:

"How can you eat this stuff?"

I forced myself to pick at the rice, putting on a show.

"I'm poor. I have no money."

A flicker of disdain crossed their eyes, gone as quickly as it appeared.

Leo slipped into character instantly, grabbing my hand.

"A girl as beautiful as you shouldn't be eating these scraps."

He dragged me out of the cafeteria and shoved me into a luxury car, speeding off toward the most famous Michelin-starred restaurant in the city.

I faltered for a second. Wasn't this my cafeteria?

My parents had hired this Michelin chef specifically to cook for me. Opening a restaurant to the public was merely an afterthought.

As soon as we walked in, the manager spotted me.

He rushed over with clear deference, his mouth opening to address me as "Boss."

I gave him a subtle shake of my head.

He caught on immediately.

Madden pulled out a chair for me.

"Order whatever you like. It's just simple comfort food."

I smirked inwardly.

It really was my comfort food.

They made a show of introducing every single dish.

But I was already sick of this food, so I just picked at it with zero interest.

I didn't realize they would interpret my reaction completely differently.

As if I didn't even know how to eat it.

Arthur reached out, cracked a deep-sea blue crab claw, and held the meat up to my lips.

I glanced at the pinhole camera on his chest, and suddenly, I felt a spark of amusement.

I feigned shyness and asked:

"Arthur, I heard your hands were only meant for holding scalpels."

The corner of Arthur's mouth twitched. It took him a moment to reply:

"Because you're special."

If you can gross me out, why can't I do the same to you?

I acted all coy, half-refusing before blushing and taking a bite.

For the rest of the meal, the four of them took turns fawning over me.

Serving me food, peeling shrimp, wiping the corner of my mouth—they didn't stop for a second.

I dutifully matched each of their performances.

By the end of the meal, I was so exhausted I wanted to roll my eyes all the way back into my skull.

When I dragged myself back to the dorm, my roommates gave me complicated looks.

I checked my phone and, sure enough, Charlotte was livestreaming again.

The stream was looping the clip of Arthur feeding me the crab leg.

The viewers were roaring with laughter.

Leo slapped his thigh.

"I almost broke character!

Look at that sincere face—she actually thinks she's the lead in a romance drama!"

Arthur's face darkened:

"You think that's funny?

!

I scrubbed my hands with disinfectant three times and I still feel gross!"

Madden patted Arthur on the shoulder, barely holding it together.

"That charity case is probably obsessed with you now!

Congrats, man! Hahaha!"

After that incident, the quartet became even more attentive.

Flowers, gifts, date invitations—they pulled out all the stops.

I diligently played my part every day, providing entertainment for their livestream.

Even when classmates snickered as they passed me, I pretended not to notice a thing.

Until one day, when someone suddenly pulled me into a corner.

The person mustered up the courage to say:

"Lynn, they're tricking you!"

"Those guys aren't good news at all!"

Almost everyone at school knew about my situation.

But for the longest time, some just watched for fun, while others were too scared to say a word.

He was the only one who warned me.

Before I could say anything,

he was suddenly shoved aside with force, stumbling and falling to the ground.

The group of four blocked my path.

William flashed his student body president authority and threatened:

"Stay away from Lynn!"

"You're just a charity case. I suggest you stop thinking about Lynn, or I'll make sure you never graduate from Harford!"

After saying that, he asked tentatively:

"Lynn, he didn't say anything weird to you, did he?"

I stared blankly and shook my head.

Only then did they relax.

"Your birthday is at the end of the month. We're taking you to an auction to buy you a present."

I realized it was the fake birthday I had filled out, so I quickly got into character.

"I can't believe you even remembered my birthday... I'm so touched!"

"But I've never been to an auction before. What if I embarrass you..."

They told me not to worry. Before the auction started, a gown was delivered to my hands.

I frowned.

My limited-edition haute couture gown should be hanging in my closet. Why was it in their hands?

A sudden thought struck me.

I pulled out my phone and looked up Charlotte's account.

Sure enough, she was live.

"Taking the charity case out to broaden her horizons again today."

"That gown she's wearing? I lent it to her."

"I never wear the same gown twice, anyway."

She covered her mouth and giggled, deliberately flaunting the massive sapphire ring on her finger.

"She probably doesn't even know how to walk in heels."

"Do you think she'll fall flat on her face in front of everyone?"

My expression turned cold.

Charlotte's gown, earrings, ring, necklace... her entire ensemble actually belonged to me.

I walked out, completely unfazed, acting as if nothing was amiss.

The four of them were waiting for me at the entrance.

Charlotte was there too, phone raised high, ready to livestream my humiliation to the world.

The moment I appeared, everyone in the venue was captivated by me.

"She's so beautiful!"

"Is she an heiress from some prominent family?!"

Seeing the four guys' eyes practically glued to me, Charlotte's face twisted with jealousy.

I tossed my hair.

Did she forget who I am?

The jewelry auction began.

I wasn't particularly interested.

Urged on by the group, I randomly picked a necklace.

Leo bid immediately.

"Three million!"

Unexpectedly, Arthur followed up:

"Five million!"

"Leo, I'm not going easy on you this time."

William also joined the fray with a smile.

"Eight million!"

Charlotte watched from the side as the four of them spent a fortune on me. She wanted to say something out of envy but couldn't get a word in.

It was like the rush had gone to their heads; they frantically outbid each other until the price hit thirty million.

Leo and Arthur had to give up.

Just as William was about to take credit, Madden, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up:

"I'm making a blank-check bid!"

He lazily crossed his legs and put an arm around my shoulder:

"I said I'd personally win Lynn's birthday gift, and I keep my word."

The auction ended, and I held the jewelry in my hand, speechless.

When I said I didn't want it, I really didn't want it.

Because a few of the better pieces in this auction were just jewelry I'd gotten rid of.

Charlotte sidled up to me, acting coy.

"Mason, I like this piece of jewelry too. Can you give it to me?"

She pulled a few hundred-dollar bills from her purse and tossed them at me.

"The jewelry should match the person. You'd have better luck at a street market."

I looked at Mason Banks, my eyes welling up, and moved to give the jewelry back to him.

"I really don't deserve this... You should take it back..."

I was stunningly beautiful today, and paired with my pitiful expression, Mason Banks's heart immediately went out to me.

"Who says you don't deserve it?!"

He gently wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, then shot a cold glare at Charlotte and snapped:

"You're even going to snatch a birthday gift? Is that really appropriate?"

"Lynn was perfectly happy, and you just had to make her cry! Apologize to her, now!"

He didn't leave her with a shred of dignity.

Every eye in the room swiveled to look at them.

Charlotte's face burned crimson with humiliation.

She fled the room in tears.

That night, the livestream started right on cue.

Charlotte sat there, sniffling, flanked by the four guys.

"I can't believe you were all so mean to me today!"

William wiped away her tears, his expression full of sympathy.

"That was just to make the poor girl believe we're actually pursuing her."

Mason Banks chimed in:

"Look how completely devoted she is now. When we dump her, it's going to be spectacular!"

Leo added:

"Don't be upset. Next time I get paid for a role, I'll buy you the most expensive jewelry, I promise!"

Arthur adjusted his glasses with a cunning look.

"What's the fun in buying it? When the time comes, we'll make that poor girl pay back everything she's gotten, with interest, to make it up to Charlotte!"

The livestream chat was flooded with comments as viewers watched the clip of me gazing at the four of them with starry-eyed adoration.

The mockery was relentless.

[Look at her! She's so touched by just a few crumbs of attention!]

[Bet she'll wanna kill herself when she finds out it's all fake. LMAO!]

[You HAVE to livestream the breakup! I'm grabbing my popcorn!]

Charlotte, her mood clearly lifted by the adulation, beamed at the camera.

"Next Monday is the grand finale."

"Tune in at 8 PM. We'll be live from the amphitheater to watch the little puppy get dumped!"

I offered a faint, imperceptible smile.

As it turned out, Monday was also the deadline for me to report my final decision to my father.

In those final days, the four of them seemed desperate to confirm my devotion at every turn.

For each of them, I put on a display of being deeply, hopelessly in love.

I couldn't risk them losing their nerve.

Sure enough, a few days later, my dorm room door was practically buried under a mountain of roses.

Four guys. Four bouquets. Four love letters.

Just as they had announced on the livestream, they all asked to meet me at the exact same time: Monday, at eight p.m.

That day, I made sure to "dress up" for the occasion.

I wore the gown I hadn't "returned" yet and the "precious" jewelry they had sold me.

I gave them plenty of material to work with.

I arrived at the meeting spot, but before I could see the four of them, someone else stopped me.

"Lynn!"

I looked closer and saw it was the same guy from before.

"You can't go! You'll regret it!"

When I didn't react, he anxiously pulled out his phone and opened Charlotte's livestream to show me.

"They've been lying to you and making a fool of you this whole time!"

I cocked my head, amused.

"I know."

"But it's hard to say who's playing whom, isn't it?"

Without waiting for his reaction, I brushed past him.

Waiting for me wasn't just the quartet, but also Charlotte and a crowd holding up their phones, ready for a show.

The four of them finally dropped their masks.

William spoke first, his voice dripping with condescension:

"You didn't actually think we were going to confess our love to you, did you?"

Madden chuckled, too:

"We were just having some fun with you. Did you actually take it seriously?"

The surrounding laughter grew louder.

Someone jeered in a low voice:

"She doesn't actually think she's in their league, does she?"

"I bet she was already picking one out in her head! Hahaha!"

"Delusional fangirls are funny enough!"

"But a broke delusional fangirl dreaming of romance? That's hilarious!"

I decided to indulge my inner actress, letting tears immediately well up in my eyes.

"So... you were all lying to me this whole time?

Sending me flowers, going on dates, taking me to auctions... was it all fake?"

Leo held up his phone, displaying the active livestream.

"We weren't just lying to you. everyone has been enjoying the show."

"You're as ridiculous as a circus clown!"

Arthur reached out and snatched the necklace right off my neck.

"You don't deserve to wear things that Charlotte likes."

Charlotte sauntered up to me, raking her eyes over me from head to toe.

"They say 'the clothes make the woman.' Wearing my clothes and my jewelry... you almost look the part."

"What a pity. It's time to wake up from your dream."

She circled behind me. Then, she yanked my zipper down.

"Take it off. Give it back."

A wave of lewd whistles erupted from the crowd.

I didn't rage or scream. Instead, I gave a faint smile and backhanded Charlotte across the face.

Smack!

Charlotte's eyes went wide in disbelief.

The four of them were furious.

"You bitch! How dare you hit Charlotte!"

"We played along for a month, and now you've forgotten your place?

Did you actually think you were worthy of us?!"

"I'm going to strip that dress off you right now and make you walk back to the dorm naked!!"

The moment the words left their mouths, a figure appeared silently behind me.

He draped a coat over my shoulders.

Then, in a flash, he knocked all four of them to the ground.

I looked down at them.

"Evaluation complete."

"Unfortunately for you."

"You aren't worthy of me, and you certainly aren't qualified to be my fiancé!"