Suddenly, I Am Rich

”This is really... for just a week?” he asked again, still stunned at it.

Emily chuckled, finding Gray’s disbelief amusing.

”Yes, Gray. It’s the standard we give to the private tutors in our family. And frankly, you’ve done more than expected.”

”Damn. I mean—thank you. I just didn’t expect it.” Gray let out a low breath before putting the envelope in his pocket.

He’d immediately withdraw this later.

”You’ve earned it,” Emily replied warmly, sipping her tea.”

”I guess that’s a good sign.” Gray laughed.

”It is,” Emily nodded. ”You’re doing a great job.”

Before Gray could reply to Emily, a maid stepped into the garden, bowing slightly.

”Miss Emily, Miss Chloe is already waiting in the study.”

”Ah, perfect timing,” Emily said, setting down her cup. She looked at Gray and smiled. ”You should go ahead. Don’t keep her waiting, Gray.”

Gray stood and gave her a grateful nod.

”Thanks again... really.”

”No problem.”

As he made his way to the study room, Gray walked in to see that Chloe was already seated in front of the study table. She was flipping through her notebook as if recalling some of the things she had written.

When she heard the sound of the door being opened, she immediately looked.

”You’re early, Gray,” she said with a playful smirk.

”Says the one who was already here before me.” Gray raised a brow, amused. He looked at the clock and saw that it was indeed early. They were 30 minutes ahead of the schedule.

”I had nothing better to do,” Chloe shrugged her shoulders and closed her notebook.

Gray gave her an amusing laugh as he placed his bag down and pulled out his tablet.

”Look at you being responsible and prepared. I’m impressed.”

”I know, right?” Chloe replied with a laugh before leaning back on her chair. ”It’s shocking even to myself.”

Gray chuckled and sat in the seat in front of her.

”So, should we start now? Or wait until time?”

Chloe rolled her eyes before letting out a sigh.

”Actually, I wanted to tell you something before we start. I have some exams coming up. Just a few subjects, but they’re pretty close.”

Gray’s tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious.

”Yeah? How are you feeling about it?”

”Surprisingly okay,” Chloe said, tapping her pen lightly against the desk. ”I’ve been finishing my homework on time. And when I reviewed yesterday, I actually remembered stuff we went over last week.”

”That’s good. That’s a huge progress.” Gray leaned back with a satisfied nod.

”I think so too,” Chloe replied, a soft smile appearing on her lips. ”It’s the first time in 2 years that I’ve felt... I don’t know, a little more confident in class.”

”Well then,” Gray said giving her a thumbs up. ”Let’s keep that momentum going. We’ll go over the topics you’ll be tested on and start doing more practice questions.”

Chloe gave a short, determined nod and pulled her chair closer to the table. ”Let’s do it, Mr. Adams.”

”Oh god, don’t ever call me that again.” Gray laughed.

The two quickly started their session. For the next hour, they focused on the lessons that would be included in Chloe’s exams.

Gray stood by the whiteboard, jotting down formulas and explaining concepts while Chloe scribbled in her notebook, occasionally nodding or asking a question. There were moments where she’d get stuck or unsure, but unlike before, she didn’t hesitate to ask questions.

As an answer, Gray would patiently explain things to her until she understood.

They were halfway through a practice set when Chloe groaned and slumped slightly.

”I swear numbers haunt me in my sleep.”

”That’s how you know you’re finally learning it.” Gray chuckled.

”Or being tormented by it.” She squinted at him

”Same thing.”

Chloe let out a soft laugh, shaking her head before straightening up again. The room fell into another silence as Chloe answered all the problem sets given to her.

She was getting used to it by now so it was easier to finish. But then, in the middle of checking one of her answers, Gray paused midway,

His mind drifted back to the day before. He remembered that it was all because of Chloe.

”Hey, Chloe,” he said suddenly, setting his pen down.

Chloe looked up from her notebook and gazed at him, curiosity was written in her eyes,

”Yeah?”

Gray leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table.

”About that thing you told me last week... Velmora Tech.”

She blinked, then slowly nodded. ”Yeah, what about it?”

”Thanks.”

Chloe’s pen froze mid-air, and her heart gave an unexpected flutter at the suddenness of Gray’s words.

”Uh... you’re welcome,” she managed to reply, though her voice was a little breathier than usual.

She felt her cheeks warming up as she watched Gray. For a moment, all the formulas on her page blurred—her mind drifting instead to the memory of the conversation she’d had with her father, insisting that their company should back Velmora Tech.

She’d practically begged him, convinced it was the right move. She didn’t know why she did it that time. In her mind, she just wants Gray to benefit from it.

Gray gave her a small, genuine smile and tapped the board.

”All right, that’s all,” he said softly. ”Go back to answering now.”

Chloe blinked and nodded. She stayed still for a second before picking her pen up. She cleared her throat and pushed her hair back behind her ear, determined to focus.

Yet her chest still thumped out loud with a curious warmth whenever she glanced at him.

Gray wasn’t naïve. He noticed the way Chloe glanced at her, her eyes soft and curious. A small smile tugged at his lips. She looked... cute like that.

However, what baffled him the most was how Chloe tried to avoid his gaze every time their eyes met. It was odd since she wasn’t usually like that.

’Does she want something in return?’ he raised a brow thinking that his thank you wasn’t enough.

Gray cleared his throat and set his pen down. ”You know,” he began lightly, ”since I earned a lot, I think I can afford to treat you to something nice.”

Chloe’s hand stilled on the desk, her body tensing just a fraction.

”I mean,” Gray continued, trying to keep the mood easy, ”you’ve earned it—your hard work and your help to me. How about dinner tonight? My treat.”

Chloe’s eyes widened as she froze entirely.