Chapter 9 Riley stood at Harvard's gates with her suitcase , September sunshine blazing overhead . ] ] She squinted and brushed the hair from her forehead , having long since ditched those thick black frames , revealing bright , clear almond - shaped eyes . ] Students walking by kept turning to stare , their gazes lingering on her , but she barely noticed , just checking her watch - thirty minutes until registration deadline . ] ] " Need help ? " A warm male voice came from beside her . ] ] Riley turned to see a pair of smiling eyes . ] ] The guy wore a simple white button - down , tall and lean , with gold - rimmed glasses that made him look refined and scholarly . He pointed to her three suitcases : " Looks like you've got a lot to carry , and registration's still pretty far . If you don't mind , I can help with some of it . " [ ] Riley hesitated for a moment , but time was tight . She nodded : " Thanks . " ] " Ethan Mitchell , Physics Department , " the guy said naturally as he took two of her suitcases . " Riley Thompson , Business , " she said , walking behind him to the registration desk . [ ] Ethan's eyes swept over the fading scrapes on her arms . He frowned slightly but quickly looked away without prying . ] They walked in silence until they finished the registration process . Only then did Ethan speak up : " Your injuries … do you need to visit the campus clinic ? " ] Riley instinctively pulled her arms back and shook her head : " No need , they're almost healed . " ] Ethan didn't push it , just pulled out a business card : " I work with the Student Life Office . If you need any help getting settled , feel free to reach out . " ] Riley took the card and thanked him quietly . She watched Ethan walk away , feeling a warmth she hadn't experienced in a long time . This was the first person to show her genuine kindness in her new environment . [ ] On Orientation Day , the main auditorium was packed . ] Riley stood backstage as the student representative , waiting to give her speech . [] She took a deep breath and looked over her notes one more time . [ ] Her advisor patted her shoulder : " Don't be nervous , just speak naturally . " [ ] Riley nodded and walked onto the stage . ] Bed Warner ? Harvard Goddess ! Ita Mosure . My Payback ! Chapter 9 The spotlight hit her and the auditorium fell silent . [ ] She adjusted the microphone and was about to speak when she heard whispers from the back : " Is that Riley Thompson from Business School ? She looks totally different from her photos ! " [ ] " Holy shit , she's stunning without those glasses … " " OMG she's gorgeous ! Those thick frames were totally masking her whole vibe ! " ] ] Riley ignored the chatter and began her speech smoothly . [ ] Her voice was clear and confident , her logic sharp . The five - minute speech earned thunderous applause . ]] As she left the stage , her eyes briefly swept the front row and met Ethan's approving gaze . ] ] He nodded slightly at her , his eyes full of admiration . [ ] Meanwhile , at Georgia Southern University , Sophia was surrounded by a group of freshmen , showing off the diamond bracelet on her wrist : [ ] " This is an orientation gift from Jaxon - limited edition , can't even buy it in the US ! " ] " Wow , Sophia , what's the deal with you and Jaxon ? " someone asked curiously . [ ] | Sophia flipped her hair with a meaningful smile : " Guess ? " Just then , a girl nearby suddenly gasped : " You guys , check out the national campus trending topics ! Harvard's student rep Riley Thompson is drop - dead gorgeous ! " ] Sophia's smile froze . ]] She frantically grabbed the phone . On the screen was a photo from Riley's orientation speech . The girl looked stunning , with flawless skin - nothing like the " bookworm " she used to be . Sophia's eyes filled with undisguised jealousy and rage , along with a growing sense of dread . [ ] Jaxon kicked open his dorm room door , his face dark as thunder . ] ] He'd just gone to Business School looking for Riley , only to be told no such person existed . ] Then he saw Riley's photo on Harvard's campus forum , looking absolutely breathtaking without her glasses ![ ] But why hadn't she told him she'd changed her college choice to Harvard ? [ ] And why had she always hidden behind those glasses , never letting him know she was so beautiful it took his breath away ? ] Just thinking about countless guys staring at her made an indescribable irritation rise from deep inside . ] He pulled out his phone and dialed Riley's number again , only to hear the same cold automated message : " The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable … " [ ] 50 % Chapter 9 " Riley , WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM ? ! " [ ] He slammed his phone onto the bed and turned around to see the envelope Marcus had delivered sitting on his desk . [ ] He grabbed it and tore it open roughly . Inside was a folded piece of paper . [ ] Unfolding it revealed a line of messy handwriting : [ ] [ Jaxon , we're breaking up . I know you used me as practice , but I used you as a vibrator too . Pretty good experience . Let's never see each other again . ] ] ] ( 2 ) ( 0 ) Bed Warner Barvard Geddras His Fleasure My Payback !