I Need the True Ending to Graduate - Chapter 7

“Now, have your questions been answered?”

They had.

At first, I thought it was strange, but after hearing the explanation, I could somewhat understand.

I resembled the woman Evan Bell hated and despised, and since he couldn’t directly act on her, he wanted to vent his pent-up feelings by tormenting me instead.

It was a rather twisted and hard-to-understand psychology, but not entirely implausible.

It also somewhat explained why he had posted a job advertisement in a place full of nobles and commoners backed by noble patrons.

Even nobles can suddenly go bankrupt, or lose their sponsors.

Just like me.

Evan Bell had deliberately put up the advertisement to lure students within the academy who suddenly found themselves in urgent need of money, in order to make this strange offer they would have no choice but to accept.

After all, unless you needed the money, you’d have no reason to even glance at that ad.

And most importantly, he didn’t seem to be making up any of this.

It didn’t feel like he would sell me off somewhere or kill me.

I just had to endure a bunch of humiliating acts until Evan Bell’s feelings were resolved, serving as a stand-in for that woman.

And I was actually somewhat curious about those “sexually humiliating acts.”

“Do you still not feel like accepting my proposal?” Evan Bell asked. At some point, his hand was gently caressing my cheek.

I answered, “No. My questions have been fully answered. I understand what you mean.”

“Then that means…”

“I’ll accept your proposal. But I have a condition.”

“What is it?”

His eyes lit up when I said I would accept, but turned cold the moment I mentioned a condition. His tone grew oddly harsh too.

Still, this was important to me.

“Let’s write a contract. Please include clauses that guarantee my physical safety and consideration for my graduation schedule.”

“Do I look like someone who would kill you?”

“You said I’m a stand-in for the woman you hate, right? Then if you get emotional, I think you might act on impulse and kill me.”

“……”

At that, Evan Bell looked at me with a very conflicted expression. The hand that had been stroking my cheek had already stopped.

Soon, the warmth that had been touching me slowly pulled away. The body that had been threateningly blocking me also moved back to keep some distance.

Then he spoke, his expression composed as if nothing had happened, “Alright. I accept your condition. Let’s draft two copies of the contract and each keep one.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“But in return for ensuring your safety and accommodating your graduation schedule, you must obey my commands without question. Understood?”

“Understood. I’ll do as I’m told in bed.”

“Then I’ll bring the contract.”

Evan Bell got up from his seat and returned with paper and pen.

Just like when I first entered the office, he sat across from me and began filling out the agreed terms onto a blank sheet with practiced skill.

“The duration will be until graduation.”

“That’s fine.”

“How much money do you need?”

“…Ten million gold.”

I thought the amount I named was quite high, and that he might retract his offer because of it.

But Evan Bell’s response was completely different.

“That’s less than I expected. While we’re at it, why not ask for more? It’s not like I’ll cancel the contract just because you name a slightly higher amount.”

“Even if I ask for a large amount, it’ll still be a debt I have to repay. Besides, the larger the amount, the more you might want to get your money’s worth and go further.”

“Well, I won’t deny that any money you ask for will become your debt. But just because the borrowed amount is smaller doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on you.”

“……”

“In that case, wouldn’t it be better to ask for a larger amount?”

It was the most reasonable and logical thing I’d heard from Evan Bell today.

If the extent of the acts wouldn’t differ much based on the amount, then I might as well follow his advice.

Still, I had no idea how much more I should ask for.

As if reading my hesitation, Evan Bell naturally offered his suggestion.

“Assuming the basics are covered in the dorm, and considering living expenses, clothing costs, occasional dining out, research materials and various books, one and a half million gold sounds about right. What do you think?”

“…Let’s go with that.”

I decided to fully follow the restaurant owner’s suggestion. If he could run a business, surely he had a better sense of numbers than I did.

Evan Bell filled in the amount on the contract and signed it, then said, “Officially, the contract will state that you are providing services in exchange for compensation, but publicly, we’ll say you were hired as an administrative assistant. I believe that would be better for you as well. What do you think?”

“That’s fine. It preserves both your reputation and mine. Avoiding unnecessary scandals is best. It’ll also reduce people’s suspicions.”

“Good. If anyone asks, just say you were hired as my personal secretary. And say that all work details are confidential. That should cover it.”

“Yes… I’ll remember that.”

“The contract is ready. Please review and sign at the bottom.”

Evan Bell handed me two copies of the contract and a pen.

I took them.

The contents of the two contracts were a direct and formal translation of everything we had agreed upon.

Both copies were identical, not a single word different.

I picked up the pen and signed in the designated space, then handed one back to Evan Bell.

“Lucia Even…”

Evan Bell studied the signed contract carefully, then nodded and handed one copy back to me.

“With this, the contract is official. We each have a copy now, so that should give you peace of mind, yes?”

“Yes, it’s enough.”

“I’ll send the amount you need by check in a week. Tell me which dormitory you’re staying in.”

“Oh, the address is…”

I trailed off. Because I didn’t know the dorm address.

Just when I was getting anxious, thinking I might ruin everything by failing to give an address after all that effort, my mouth moved on its own and began reciting it.

Apparently, there was some kind of built-in mechanism to keep others from noticing anything strange while I was playing as Lucia.

‘Well, it would be weird if I couldn’t even give my own address…’

It was a slightly unsettling experience, but since it got me through the situation, I decided to be thankful.

After hearing the address, Evan Bell nodded. “Very well. I’ll send it there in a week. If I need you again, I’ll send a letter to that address. Then, just come to Bell Restaurant like today.”

“Understood. By the way, I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“What should I call you from now on?”

Evan Bell’s icy blue eyes widened slightly, as if the question caught him off guard.

He paused to think, then said, “Call me whatever you like.”

“Hmm… Then I’ll call you boss.”

“…Why ‘boss,’ of all things?”

Even though he was the one who said I could call him anything, Evan Bell looked quite displeased.

I was a bit taken aback and replied, “It’s nothing special. You said to tell people I’m your secretary, right? Then calling you boss seems safest and least likely to raise suspicion.”

“……”

Evan Bell’s face clearly showed he understood my logic, but emotionally couldn’t accept it.

“If you really hate it, I’ll call you whatever you prefer instead.”

“…Fine. Just call me boss.”

“Okay. I’ll do that.”

When I readily accepted, he looked a bit exasperated but didn’t argue further.

As the mood signaled that the negotiation was wrapping up, Evan Bell offered a handshake to officially conclude our conversation.

“The contract has been successfully signed. I’ll be counting on you to stand in for the woman I hate, Miss Lucia.”

“I’ll be in your care as well.”

I folded the contract and carefully placed it in my bag, then shook his hand.

Evan Bell rose from his seat to see me off. I stood up as well.

“Then, I’ll see you next time.”

“Yes, Boss. Thank you for the offer today. I’ll be on my way now.”

As a good employee, it was my duty to be polite. I bowed and was about to leave the office, when suddenly, my stomach made a strange noise.