"That doesn't seem right. I can't wear so many clothes. How about I just pick two?" Ava said, a little excited and a little hesitant.
"How can you say that? Since I said I'd cover it, I must cover it all!" Jeff was now in a dominant position.
His decisive tone actually made Ava feel a strange sense of emotion.
She felt that this guy with the messy hair actually had the aura of a domineering CEO, gradually overlapping with the image of the Prince Charming in her heart!
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +5
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +5
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +5
"But... I have so many clothes, and the apartment I rented off-campus doesn't have enough space!"
"It's okay if there's not enough space. How about I buy you an apartment?"
As soon as he said this, Ava was completely dumbfounded!
Buying an apartment? Casually?
Even in New York, off-campus student apartments weren't cheap. A decent one-bedroom in Manhattan could easily run two to three million dollars, more in prime areas like SoHo or the Upper East Side.
Ava was materialistic—she never hid it—but Jeff's words hit like a freight train.
Ava Reynolds: Favorability -5
The favorability that had climbed to 45 dropped back to 40.
Jeff suddenly realized he'd gone too far too fast. Being overwhelmingly generous to someone you barely knew could backfire hard.
Sometimes, too much too soon made people suspicious or uncomfortable.
He needed to ease up, build it gradually.
"Still, no need. You've already bought me enough today. Honestly, I didn't mean to spend so much of your money. I was just messing with you earlier, trying to see you squirm. I'm sorry—I was in a bad mood at the supermarket. I shouldn't have provoked you like that."
"I get it. Everyone has rough days."
"But I'm really happy now. And seriously, just a few pieces. You don't need to buy the whole store!"
"Alright."
Jeff nodded.
"Excuse me, do you have a membership program here?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Great. Set me up with one. Deposit one million dollars. From now on, when this lady comes in, show her the latest collections first—no questions."
"Okay, sir!"
The sales associates exchanged glances. The big sale they'd thought was lost had just turned into something even bigger.
Several clerks looked at Jeff with a mix of awe and curiosity.
"The way he swipes that card is insane. Dressed so casual, hair a mess, but that confidence... it's different."
"If he cleaned up, got a proper haircut, he'd be a total heartbreaker."
"He doesn't act like new money. No flash, no bragging. Feels more like old money—quiet power."
"Why don't I have a boyfriend like that?"
Some shoppers nearby cast envious looks at Ava.
Jeff overheard and almost laughed. Noble aura? Old money depth? He was just a guy with a system and zero personal cash.
"Keep the card safe. I see you're still missing a watch. There's a Patek Philippe boutique downstairs. I think that's a good one."
"No, really, no need. You've done way too much already. I don't even know how to thank you properly!"
"Then how about you give yourself to me?"
"Hmph, you bad guy!"
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +5
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +5
Holy crap, a playful tease actually bumped it up?
Jeff was stunned. Honest guys stayed single for a reason.
Ava wasn't scared of a man having intentions—she was scared if he didn't.
Taking hundreds of thousands in gifts without giving something back would make her feel off-balance. A light, joking advance like that eased the tension.
Of course, she wasn't handing over anything yet—she played hard to get like a pro.
But Jeff hadn't even meant it seriously. He was just testing the waters.
What he didn't realize was how fast girls like Ava could flip when they sensed real money.
"Jeff, you keep buying me stuff—why don't you get anything for yourself?"
"No money."
Jeff spread his hands. Truth.
He couldn't spend a dime on himself. Simp-exclusive only.
"Jeff, you sure know how to joke! I get it. I understand. Let's go to the fancy outfitter?"
Next, they hit a men's clothing store. Ava insisted on paying for two outfits and a pair of shoes for him—about two thousand dollars total.
Then they stopped at the barber shop downstairs. She dragged him in, told "Tony" to give him a sharp, modern cut.
The whole detour cost her three grand.
Ava's mindset had shifted completely. Once she clocked Jeff as potentially loaded, she invested a little back.
High emotional IQ: never just take. Give small gifts, say sweet things, keep the guy hooked.
Men were simple like that.
It actually touched Jeff. How long since a girl had bought him anything?
The hundreds of thousands he'd dropped on her were system money—it didn't sting.
But her three grand? That was real.
For a moment, Lindsay flashed in his mind again.
He remembered freshman year, military training. Lindsay hadn't been so cold then.
She'd replied fast, been active in texts.
Once, when he had a bad cold, she'd even bought him medicine, dropped it off.
That small act had hooked him hard.
He thought love was coming.
From then on, he chased relentlessly.
But she never said yes, never said no.
Whenever he pulled back, she'd reel him in again—just enough hope to keep him going.
No progress bar for love. You never knew how close "almost" really was.
Three years of investment, he couldn't walk away.
He didn't move her. He moved himself.
Became the ultimate simp.
Humble without a trace of dignity.