Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 675

Students at Aethelgard University generally managed well, even if they came from humble backgrounds.

A wide array of scholarships allowed the top performers to cover their living expenses without needing a part-time job.

Even those with average grades had the Aethelgard prestige on their side, guaranteeing them priority for tutoring gigs or other academic-related part-time work.

Still, undergraduates typically only made enough to survive and build a modest nest egg.

Which was why today's spectacle was utterly mind-boggling!

Two freshmen had just thrown down fifty thousand dollars each without batting an eye.

Quentin Reed looked back and forth between Harvey Rivers and Mira Mercer. "Are you two absolutely sure about contributing fifty grand?

Once this money is out there, it's gone for good. You won't see a dime of it back."

Fifty thousand dollars was equivalent to half a year's salary for a typical white-collar worker, easily covering four years of college living expenses.

Mira nodded at Quentin. "I gave you my word, and I intend to keep it."

Harvey nodded in agreement and walked over to Mira.

He lowered his voice. "A lot of the upperclassmen are eyeing you with obvious interest. If I act as your shield, it'll save you a ton of hassle."

His brilliant idea of a "shield" was tricking everyone into thinking he and Mira were a couple.

Mira rolled her eyes, her gaze drifting just in time to catch Leah Monroe sneaking glances at Harvey. "Gee, thanks. Or maybe you're just using me as a shield for yourself?"

Harvey was practically Aethelgard royalty—gorgeous, loaded, and trailed by a legion of admiring female students.

"Just a happy coincidence.

I have a proposition. Why don't we just pretend to date?"

"Absolutely not."

She wasn't out of her mind. If Owen found out, he would definitely get the wrong idea.

"Speaking of your admirers, why not just pick one of the good ones and actually date her?"

"No rush. I'll worry about that later.

What, are you worried I'll die alone?"

But someone had explicitly asked him to oversee today's event, so he had no choice but to show up.

"Here's an idea. Let's just merge the two competitions into one, regardless of whether you use the designated models or not.

Basically, use them if you want to, skip them if you don't. We'll let the final profits do the talking.

The prize pool is currently at one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. It'll be split among the top five performers: thirty-five thousand, thirty thousand, twenty thousand, ten thousand, and five thousand, respectively.

If anyone places while using the designated models, they'll pocket an exclusive twenty-thousand-dollar bonus.

If multiple people place using the models, that twenty thousand will be split evenly among them on top of their base winnings."

Mira and Harvey voiced their approval. "We agree with Wesley's proposal."

As the primary backer, Mira laid down one condition. "This is an internal society event, so there's no need to make it public. And you absolutely must keep the source of the prize money anonymous."

Wesley nodded. "Since we're all on the same page, we'll follow these rules.

There's no limit on starting capital, and it doesn't matter whose account you use, but your portfolio must be completely empty starting out.

Every participant is required to post their daily trading logs in the group chat.