"And your point is?"
The woman narrowed her eyes. "This place isn't cheap. Can you actually afford the bill?"
"Are you offering to pay it?"
"Honestly..." She trailed off, staring at his face, undeniable hunger flickering in her eyes. "My family actually tried to set us up on a blind date once. At first, I didn't care, but my friends pushed me to sneak a peek at you. One look, and I was hooked. Don't get me wrong, I was in love with your face. It's too perfect. I agreed to the arrangement, but you rejected me."
Theodore gave her a brief, dismissive once-over. "I'm very glad I did."
The woman scowled. "And now?"
"What about now?"
"I could be your sugar mama."
Theodore paused, then genuinely laughed out loud. He hadn't expected dinner to come with such a hilarious comedy act. Someone actually wanted to buy him.
His laughter made the woman flush with anger. "You're flat broke. You probably don't even know where your next meal is coming from. I'm offering to take care of you, give you an allowance. You should be down on your knees thanking me! Name your price—a house, a car—I'll buy it for you, as long as you belong to me for a month."
Realizing she was dead serious, Theodore pretended to mull it over. "I'm not interested in a house or a car."
"You just want cash?"
"A hundred million dollars."
The woman froze, then exploded. "Are you messing with me? A hundred million! I... I..."
"You don't have it?"
"Of course I have it, I..."
"A hundred million?" Penelope finally reached the table. She shot Theodore a playful glare before turning her attention to the woman. "You don't even have a hundred million lying around?"
The woman stared at her. "Where did you come from?"
"I'm here to outbid you."
"You?"
"I think a hundred million is a massive lowball. A man this beautiful is worth at least a billion."
"You... you..."
The woman glared at him. "Give it up! A woman who's tasted Theodore Stapleton wouldn't look twice at a loser like you!"
The boy scoffed. "You were pretty thirsty yourself a minute ago. We're in the exact same boat."
At the hotel, Theodore kissed Penelope deeply as he effortlessly peeled off her clothes.
Already intoxicated by the atmosphere, Penelope tried to help, only for her hands to get in his way. He smoothly caught her wrists and pinned them above her head.
Breathless and flushed, she looked up at him through a hazy gaze, confused as to why he suddenly stopped.
"Did you say you were giving me a billion dollars?"
Penelope nodded eagerly. "Yes. All of it."
"Do you actually have it?"
"I do. I saved up a massive nest egg."
Theodore smirked. "I don't want your money. I want you. A billion dollars a round. Do we have a deal?"
Penelope had been half in a daze, but those words instantly jolted her awake. "Can we do a payment plan?"

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