Aiden James didn't take it seriously.
That was what drove Zoe Quinn absolutely insane.
Being ignored felt like salt in the wound. Frustration surged, gnawing at her confidence.
Had her charm faded?
Aiden had gone out of his way for Emily Rose, but he brushed her aside.
Was she less attractive than Emily?
Girls always compared themselves to others, and the prettier they were, the more dangerous that comparison became.
If Aiden had caved to her demands - gifts, boosts for her livestream, the attention - Zoe would have believed he was entirely under her control.
Even a billionaire in the flesh would kneel to her, right?
But the psychological truth was sharper: people want what they can't easily have.
The less you value her, the more she wants you.
Of course, this only worked if she already felt some curiosity - some attraction.
Women claim they love men who are gentle, attentive, indulgent, and never make them angry.
In reality, those men are usually single.
Why? Because from the beginning, their status is unequal - they're simps chasing affection.
Even the wealthy could become simps if they genuinely liked someone.
Aiden had gotten drunk because of Emily Rose and, in the process, had stood up Zoe Quinn.
Naturally, she was livid.
But oddly, the more upset she was, the more she cared.
The more she cared, the bigger Aiden loomed in her mind.
Sometimes, a little anger isn't a setback - it's a catalyst.
The real test is in how the aftermath is handled.
Handled well, the situation could strengthen bonds; handled poorly, it could destroy them entirely.
"Mia, I'm done streaming today. Not in the mood."
Zoe slammed her laptop shut, her temper raw.
The night had been sleepless and humiliating.
---------------------------
The next morning.
Aiden stretched lazily, sunlight spilling across his dorm room.
He reached for his phone.
"Damn… why's it off?"
He blinked, groaning as realization hit.
"Oh no… I think I turned it off myself!"
Then it clicked.
"I forgot something important yesterday…"
Sitting upright, heart thumping, he scanned the bright morning light streaming through the window.
"Shit! I stood up the campus goddess Zoe Quinn!"
"And Ivy Mae invited me over for dinner at 8 PM… it's already the next morning?"
"I actually stood up two of the hottest girls on campus?"
He smacked his slightly dizzy head.
Drinking… always ruined everything.
Grabbing his phone, he powered it on.
Within seconds, the flood began: over twenty missed calls, more than three hundred snap messages.
Emily Rose, Ivy Mae, and Zoe Quinn were all calling.
Even Heather Crown? One glance at the notifications told him to ignore her for now.
Aiden opened the first snap messages, bracing himself for the storm.