Chapter 3Triple Soulmate Dilemma: When Three Men Claim to Be "The One"

The system coldly notified me: [Detected flattery behavior. Deducting 2,000 dollars.]

This was insane.

I immediately blocked and deleted Acton, just in case he said anything else that would cost me more money.

Things were going so wrong.

I called Conley. I remembered he didn't have classes today.

The phone rang for quite a while before he picked up, his voice still drowsy. "Ms. Ellsworth?"

I mimicked the tone of an aristocratic lady and said, "Hey, I miss you. Little darling, how about I take you on a private jet, and we go somewhere fun?"

A few seconds later, Conley replied with a smile in his voice, "Sounds good, I'll get ready."

"Then it's a deal. I'll pick you up now." I hung up the phone and floored the accelerator, heading straight to my second cash cow.

I was determined to earn back what I had lost from one man through another.

Conley seemed to have made an effort to dress up today. He wore a crisp white hoodie, his hair neatly styled, looking youthful and fresh.

I helped him fasten his seatbelt and squinted playfully. "You look handsome today. I like it."

Conley smiled innocently, "That's great. I hope she likes it too."

I raised an eyebrow.

Just as I was about to ask who this "she" was, a girl jumped into the car.

She wore the same white hoodie as Conley, with an ultra-short skirt and perfect makeup. I recognized her immediately. She was Sandra Powell, the campus queen at Conley's school.

Sandra flashed a sweet smile. "Thanks, Ms. Ellsworth, for taking us out!"

I turned to Conley, who calmly smiled, "Ms. Ellsworth, I'm sure you don't mind taking a lovely girl along, right?"

I didn't mind at all.

As long as the jet could fit, I wouldn't mind if he brought eight girls.

I loved guys who were already taken. To me, guys like that were cash cows.

I was thrilled, and with all sincerity, I told Conley, "I just want you to be happy. Your happiness is my greatest wealth."

And that was the truth.

Conley gave me a long look, a faint smile tugging at his lips, but he didn't say anything.

We three boarded the private jet and flew to my island resort.

From the moment Sandra arrived on the island, she was in awe of everything, gasping and marveling at every little thing.

I quickly switched to money-making mode. "Conley, what kind of crepes do you want? I'll make them for you."

"Vanilla, please. Thanks, Ms. Ellsworth." Conley glanced at Sandra. Before he could say anything, I already knew what he wanted.

"What does your girlfriend like?" I asked sweetly. "I'll make her an even bigger one."

I knew this was a top-notch, pleasing technique. I pleased the girl he liked, too, knowing this was the best way to get on his good side.

Conley hesitated, then said, "She doesn't... never mind."

He trailed off and turned to ask Sandra, who was busy taking selfies, what kind of crepes she wanted.

I was a pro at making crepes and had them ready in under five minutes, handing them to Sandra and Conley with a smile.

I was this quick because I had made them for other men before. Just like they said, practice makes perfect.

After we finished the crepes, I took them out on the yacht.

Along the way, I fussed over Sandra. I worried she might be hot, cold, hungry, or even full from eating too much.

When she got seasick, I gave her medicine. When she was snapping pictures, I showered her with compliments.

I was so attentive, and Conley hardly had a chance to make any move.

Finally, when Sandra had too much champagne and collapsed, Conley rushed to catch her before I could, carefully holding her in his arms, his eyes full of concern.

As the sun set, they sat close, basking in the warm orange light, looking picture-perfect together.

I gracefully walked to the cabin, "I suddenly need to use the restroom. You two carry on."

I jumped into the bed and checked my account. The balance was climbing rapidly, and I couldn't help but cheer.

Then, I turned on some jazz and started dancing.

Just as I was swaying to the rhythm, I suddenly noticed Conley standing in the doorway.

"Conley?" I froze and quickly stopped my dance. "Aren't you with Sandra...?"

Conley's eyes were dim with a mix of sadness and something else...resentment, maybe. "You really want us to be together?"

I froze.

An ominous premonition washed over me, and I cautiously asked, "Aren't you already together?"

Conley squinted at me, his gaze darkening. "No. She's just someone I hired to act. I wanted to make you jealous."

Oh my God. I was never one for jealousy.

I thought to myself, "Is today the end of the world? Why is everyone changing?"

I felt like I was about to crack. "Why would you suddenly do this?"

Conley tugged at his collar, his clavicle flushed from the alcohol. He looked down and slowly spoke, "It wasn't sudden. It's been bothering me for a while. At first, I was with you just for your money, but you've gone too far. You love me too much. Even my mom wants something in return, but you don't ask for anything."

I collapsed on the round bed. He crouched down beside me like a lost puppy, looking up with tearful eyes.

"Everyone says love is about possession. But you've never gotten jealous of me. I want to know... do you love me so much, or not at all?"

His last words hit me like a ton of bricks. His gaze seemed to pierce through my eyes and probe deep into my soul.

I instinctively held my breath, mentally whispering, "Stay calm, Beatrice. You can handle this."

In that tense moment, I had an idea. I steadied myself and calmly said, "I did love you."

Conley froze.

I wiped my face, forcing a sad expression. "I'll be honest with you. I did love you. But suddenly, I don't feel the same anymore. Sometimes, a woman's heart changes like that. Just like the song says, love is something that can fade so easily..."

I didn't feel guilty at all.

After all, many guys went through breakups like this, sudden and unexpected.

Self-esteem is fragile, especially men's. Even more so for young men.

I thought after hearing my words, he'd immediately hate me and consider me the person he'd despise the most.

And then, I'd be free to continue pleasing him again.

Just as I was reveling in my victory, Conley suddenly shoved me down onto the bed. My hands were tied with a strap and pulled up above my head.

Conley leaned over, pulling out a peeler and twirling it in his fingers. His gaze was something I had never seen before. He looked wild, almost insane.

"Ms. Ellsworth, you can't do this.

"You've loved me for so long. You can't just stop loving me. Will you fall for me again?

"If I lose your love, I think I'll go crazy. If you've stopped loving me, let's die together, okay?"

His breath was hot against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

I thought, "Crap. This guy looks so innocent, but he's actually a psychopath!"

The system pinged again: [Detected intense flattery behavior. Deducting 3,000 dollars.]

Conley traced the back of the blade across my skin, his eyes darkening, his voice hoarse. "Ms. Ellsworth, didn't you say you'd do anything to make me happy? If you fall for me again, I'll be happy."

He grabbed my chin, coaxing me in a low voice, "Come on, Ms. Ellsworth. Tell me you love me."

[Deducting 4,000 dollars.]

Hearing System's notification, I snapped, "Screw you."

Conley shuddered, his voice trembling with excitement. "Ms. Ellsworth, say it again. It feels so good."

I was utterly stunned.

At that moment, I felt a sense of complete despair.

I realized this guy was a freak.

Just as I thought I might be doomed, Sandra barged in.

She saw us in our compromising position, yelled, "Hey!" and shoved Conley to the floor, then crawled on top of me.

Her face flushed, smelling of alcohol. She nuzzled her face into my chest and said, "Ms. Ellsworth, stop liking him. Please like me instead."

I was completely dumbfounded.

Sandra smiled lovingly, "Only girls understand what other girls want. I won't let you suffer. I only like you. How about it?"

I hesitated, "Sounds great, but..."

Conley, gritting his teeth, got up and leaned in, but Sandra smiled and punched him squarely in the face, sending him crashing back to the floor.

"I know boxing," Sandra said sweetly. "Ms. Ellsworth, you can continue."

I swallowed hard. "Well, I think I can accept that."

Sandra curled up and fell asleep in my arms.

I fought to untie myself, then escaped the island under cover of night.

Just as I took a deep breath, I got a new message.

It was from Theodore.

He said: [Come pick me up.]