Half-Million Dollar Bait： Campus Belle’s Hell - Chapter 1: Chapter 1
You are reading Half-Million Dollar Bait： Campus Belle’s Hell, Chapter 1: Chapter 1. Read more chapters of Half-Million Dollar Bait： Campus Belle’s Hell.
Fresh out of college, I somehow scored an internship at a major multinational corporation.
But before I could even set foot overseas, someone had already put a target on my back—half a million dollars on the Dark Web.
The three-year pandemic had crushed small businesses left and right.
While my classmates were grinding for grad school or cramming for civil service exams, I landed a sweet gig at a global company—thanks to my fluency in a rare foreign language and, let's be honest, my looks.
Coincidentally, my boyfriend, Ethan Lowell, worked there too.
If everything went according to plan, we'd be reunited in Mandalay in a week, finally starting our life together.
But just before graduation, Professor Vincent Roscente—a man with a reputation—suddenly slid into my DMs with offers that screamed shady.
His intentions? Obvious. Just another guy obsessed with my face.
Our university had this ridiculous "Campus Queen Ranking," and I was always in the top three. Naturally, I spent four years fending off admirers.
"Sophia," Vincent purred, his gaze lingering a little too long, lips curling into that slimy smile of his. "I know talent when I see it. A corporate job? Solid choice."
I stayed quiet, watching him like a hawk.
He leaned in, voice dripping with fake concern. "But you should know—my family runs an import-export business. Jade, gold mines, timber—all in Mandalay. Join us, and I'll double your salary. The career opportunities? Unmatched."
Vincent was in his fifties, always dressed like a GQ model, but his eyes gave him away. Guys like him—rich, predatory—always had a thing for young, pretty college girls.
And he'd had his eye on me for a while.
The rumors about him weren't exactly subtle. Students called him a wolf in professor's clothing, a guy who preyed on naive girls.
I'd always kept my distance. But now, with graduation looming, he'd finally made his move.
When he suggested I join his "family business," I didn't even hesitate.
"Thanks, Professor, but no. I'm going to Mandalay to be with my boyfriend. We work for the same company."
I emphasized boyfriend—a clear back-off warning.
Ethan had done two tours in the Special Forces. Humble background, but with a face that made him the campus heartthrob.
I'd been nagging him for months to buy a house—our future home.
Fresh out of college, his salary wasn't exactly rolling in, and his family couldn't help. Asking him to buy a place so soon was unfair, but I needed security.
Vincent didn't even flinch at my rejection.
He just smiled, oozing fake warmth. "Congratulations, then. Working with the one you love—what a blessing. I wish you all the best."
"Thanks," I muttered before walking out.
A week later, passport in hand, I booked the earliest flight to Mandalay after Ethan sent me his address.
Broke and fresh out of school, I took the cheapest route—train to Kunming, then a budget flight.
Ethan was too swamped to pick me up.
So there I was, alone, boarding a bus to his place.
And then—fate threw me a curveball.
I met Gregory and Margaret Hill.
Their presence? It changed everything.
Amid the chatter of Burmese passengers, hearing English felt like a lifeline.
The middle-aged couple was way too friendly, talking a mile a minute.
Gregory and Margaret had spent their careers in civil service, retired with fat pensions, and were now living the dream—traveling the world.
Their life sounded like something out of a magazine.
"Sophia, look—these are all the countries we've hit so far," Margaret gushed, flipping through photos like an excited tour guide.
"This trip to Mandalay? We're hunting for jade. Then we're heading home—end of our world tour."
I was hooked—until she mentioned cutting their travels short.
That got my attention.
But before I could even set foot overseas, someone had already put a target on my back—half a million dollars on the Dark Web.
The three-year pandemic had crushed small businesses left and right.
While my classmates were grinding for grad school or cramming for civil service exams, I landed a sweet gig at a global company—thanks to my fluency in a rare foreign language and, let's be honest, my looks.
Coincidentally, my boyfriend, Ethan Lowell, worked there too.
If everything went according to plan, we'd be reunited in Mandalay in a week, finally starting our life together.
But just before graduation, Professor Vincent Roscente—a man with a reputation—suddenly slid into my DMs with offers that screamed shady.
His intentions? Obvious. Just another guy obsessed with my face.
Our university had this ridiculous "Campus Queen Ranking," and I was always in the top three. Naturally, I spent four years fending off admirers.
"Sophia," Vincent purred, his gaze lingering a little too long, lips curling into that slimy smile of his. "I know talent when I see it. A corporate job? Solid choice."
I stayed quiet, watching him like a hawk.
He leaned in, voice dripping with fake concern. "But you should know—my family runs an import-export business. Jade, gold mines, timber—all in Mandalay. Join us, and I'll double your salary. The career opportunities? Unmatched."
Vincent was in his fifties, always dressed like a GQ model, but his eyes gave him away. Guys like him—rich, predatory—always had a thing for young, pretty college girls.
And he'd had his eye on me for a while.
The rumors about him weren't exactly subtle. Students called him a wolf in professor's clothing, a guy who preyed on naive girls.
I'd always kept my distance. But now, with graduation looming, he'd finally made his move.
When he suggested I join his "family business," I didn't even hesitate.
"Thanks, Professor, but no. I'm going to Mandalay to be with my boyfriend. We work for the same company."
I emphasized boyfriend—a clear back-off warning.
Ethan had done two tours in the Special Forces. Humble background, but with a face that made him the campus heartthrob.
I'd been nagging him for months to buy a house—our future home.
Fresh out of college, his salary wasn't exactly rolling in, and his family couldn't help. Asking him to buy a place so soon was unfair, but I needed security.
Vincent didn't even flinch at my rejection.
He just smiled, oozing fake warmth. "Congratulations, then. Working with the one you love—what a blessing. I wish you all the best."
"Thanks," I muttered before walking out.
A week later, passport in hand, I booked the earliest flight to Mandalay after Ethan sent me his address.
Broke and fresh out of school, I took the cheapest route—train to Kunming, then a budget flight.
Ethan was too swamped to pick me up.
So there I was, alone, boarding a bus to his place.
And then—fate threw me a curveball.
I met Gregory and Margaret Hill.
Their presence? It changed everything.
Amid the chatter of Burmese passengers, hearing English felt like a lifeline.
The middle-aged couple was way too friendly, talking a mile a minute.
Gregory and Margaret had spent their careers in civil service, retired with fat pensions, and were now living the dream—traveling the world.
Their life sounded like something out of a magazine.
"Sophia, look—these are all the countries we've hit so far," Margaret gushed, flipping through photos like an excited tour guide.
"This trip to Mandalay? We're hunting for jade. Then we're heading home—end of our world tour."
I was hooked—until she mentioned cutting their travels short.
That got my attention.
End of Half-Million Dollar Bait： Campus Belle’s Hell Chapter 1. Continue reading Chapter 2 or return to Half-Million Dollar Bait： Campus Belle’s Hell book page.