After A One-Night Stand with the Billionaire

Maya's eyes fluttered open, and her first sensation was a wave of soreness throughout her body.

Instinctively, she looked down and realized she was completely bare, with even her underwear missing. She glanced around the room, and it seemed she was the only one there. The bright red stains on the sheets and the scattered clothes of both a man and a woman on the floor clearly indicated what had happened last night...

What on earth had happened?

She had only been a bridesmaid; how did it end up like this? Her breath quickened as she shot up from the bed, a cold sweat breaking out on her back. She quickly grabbed her phone from the nightstand and called her best friend, Jenna.

"You were so drunk last night that you couldn't tell up from down, so I had no choice but to bring you to the suite Chelsea had prepared, room 8802. What's up?"

"Is there anyone else in the room besides me?"

"Who else could there be? It's just you. I have some things to take care of right now. I'll call you back."

Maya's hand holding the phone slowly dropped as she closed her eyes, feeling her mind swirl in confusion, a loud ringing echoing in her head.

"Get the clothes ready and send them to room 8804." A deep voice came from the direction of the bathroom. Was there another person in the room? Startled, she looked up to see a man leaning casually against the bathroom door, his toned body wrapped in a white bathrobe.

Maya's eyes widened in shock as she looked at him, still trembling from the surprise. "Why are you here?" Wasn't he the groomsman at yesterday's wedding? Jenna had said she was the only one in the room, so how did he end up here?

"Well..." Charles Darwin appeared somewhat indifferent, a cold smirk playing on his lips as he observed her shocked expression. "Your acting skills are good enough to land you a role as an actress." Maya furrowed her brow.

"What do you mean by that?"

Charles narrowed his eyes, sizing her up. His gaze turned icy as he slowly dragged out his words, "First, you drew my attention, and then you sneaked into my room while I was drunk. I can't deny it; the whole setup was quite well-executed."

Maya suppressed the intense fire rising within her, her expression growing colder. "Are you sure you don't have a delusion? Maybe you should see a doctor?" The light in her eyes shifted dangerously, filled with coldness.

Charles settled onto the couch, crossing his long legs, and lit a cigarette. "You'll get rewarded for your hard work. Since you put in much effort last night, you can get something in return. So, tell me, what do you want?"

"You're seriously delusional!"

The smoke wafting toward her made her cough lightly a few times. She pulled the blanket around herself tightly and asked, "What's your room number?"

Narrowing his eyes, Charles shifted into a more comfortable position and looked at her with mild interest. "8804." What exactly was she trying to do? He was intrigued.

Without glancing back at him, she found the phone in the room and dialed the reception, and put it on speaker, feeling a bit anxious. "Could you please tell me my room number?"

The front desk staff on the other end seemed momentarily taken aback. After a brief pause, a sweet voice came through the receiver. "Hello, dear guest. Your room number is 8802..."

8802?

Charles raised an eyebrow, his body stiffening slightly, but it was just for a moment, quick enough that no one could catch it. That Damn Hudson! He cursed inwardly.

She had been uncertain about who had made the mistake, but now that her anxiety was gone, she felt empowered. "Mr. Darwin, how do you explain this? Your acting skills are impressive, and the arrangements were just too convenient. Don't you find it ridiculous?"

With the newfound confidence surging in her heart, her tone shifted dramatically, no longer a timid hen with its head bowed, but now a defiant rooster, its comb held high, its words sharp and aggressive. "Shouldn't we avoid jumping to conclusions before everything is clear? I am the victim here, not you, Mr. Darwin. Given your earlier remarks, don't you think you owe me an apology?" she stood tall and looked at him.

His sharp jawline gives him an almost chiseled appearance, exuding a unique kind of masculine allure. However, his deep, dangerous eyes resembled those of a leopard, making anyone who met his gaze feel a mix of anxiety and restlessness.

Despite this, she was determined to clear her name and defend her dignity. If he didn't apologize, she would pursue the matter relentlessly!

As she was lost in her thoughts, a low, deep voice suddenly interrupted her.

"I'm sorry."

"Huh?" She was taken aback by how easily he had apologized, staring at him in disbelief.

Charles extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray, tilting his chin slightly as he rubbed his forehead. "I'm sorry. I was too drunk last night and ended up in the wrong room."

Maya had prepared herself for a confrontation, but now that he apologized, making a scene would only make her seem unreasonable. She was always one to value reason over conflict, and she wasn't one to respond well to aggression. Besides, she didn't want to escalate the situation, especially since it was Chelsea's wedding.

With nothing more to say, she decided to remain silent. The fact that her first time was gone was an unchangeable reality, and all she wanted now was to leave this place. Grabbing her underwear, she slipped under the covers, quietly putting on her clothes.

Charles's gaze fell on the lump in the bed that squirmed like a caterpillar. He raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his thin lips. "What do you do for a living, Miss?"

The squirming stopped, and her voice came out muffled from under the covers. "I'm a teacher."

"I see. When you called the front desk earlier, you seemed unsure about who was at fault. But once you got the answer, your demanding demeanor was very much like that of a teacher."

His eyes remained fixed on the blanket, while Maya, feeling exposed under his gaze, trembled slightly but said nothing, hastening her efforts to get dressed. When she finally emerged from the covers, her cheeks were flushed, and beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

As her feet touched the ground, her legs wobbled, nearly causing her to collapse. She quickly braced herself against the bed, her eyes inadvertently landing on the bright red stain on the white sheet. She froze, such a visual pollution.

The stark contrast of the red against the white sheets was truly jarring.

Following her gaze, Charles noticed the vivid red as well. His expression remained lazy and indifferent, almost apathetic. "Since this is my fault, I will naturally make amends. Feel free to make your demands. By the way..." He paused slightly, studying her before continuing, "Reconstructing your hymen is something I can certainly arrange."

Maya held her breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly with anger. Through gritted teeth, she spat out one word: "Pervert!" Without looking back, she strode forward, almost out of the suite when Charles quickly caught her wrist from behind. "Is there something else?" She glared at him, anger flashing in her eyes.

"Take the emergency contraceptive."

A man in a sharp suit knocked on the door and, upon receiving permission, walked in without glancing around. "Sir, here are your clothes and the emergency contraceptive." After a wild night with a stranger, taking the emergency contraceptive was a must.

Even if he hadn't sent his assistant to get it, she would have taken it once she got home. Since he had already bought it, why should she go through the trouble again? After following the instructions and taking the emergency contraceptive, she took a step forward, reaching the door, but suddenly stopped as if remembering something. She turned around, a hint of mockery in her tone. "Does Mr. Darwin's charm rival that of a superstar, or does it outshine the value of money? You are indeed charming, but aren't you a bit overconfident?"

Charles paused, his fingers still on the button of his shirt, completely taken aback for the first time in his life. After a moment, his gaze deepened. With an elegant grace, he finished buttoning his shirt, the dark silk fabric exuding a rich and captivating allure.

Stepping out of the hotel, Maya wrapped herself tightly in her scarf, exhaling a long puff of white mist into the chilly air.

It seemed like she was having a streak of bad luck; even breathing seemed to invite disaster.

She had come to a friend's wedding, only to have her own reputation tarnished. Attending a wedding and running into a drunken man, who could be as unfortunate as she was?

A sharp gust of cold wind hit her face, making her instinctively shrink her neck into her scarf. It was too cold today! But the loss of her first night was an undeniable fact. What good would it do to wallow in self-pity any longer?

She was twenty-three, already an adult. She would treat this as a ridiculous mistake and erase it from her memory. Looking up, her gaze unintentionally landed on a massive outdoor screen.

"President Darwin, are you back in our country to explore new markets?"

"Why have you chosen to return to our country now? Your company in America is thriving."

"When can we expect you to grant an interview with our magazine?"

A throng of reporters surrounded the man, cameras raised, all eager for answers. The man remained silent, a faint, indifferent smile gracing his handsome face as he politely nodded to the crowd, acknowledging their presence.

Arrogant, indifferent, and elegant, yet not a hint of rudeness could be felt... Ah, it's that predatory man!

With a glint of sarcasm in her eyes, Maya lowered her head and turned away. Behind her, a crowd of women had gathered, young and old alike, all captivated and enamored by the man.

*******

Half an hour later, as she stepped into her home, a rich aroma of tea wafted through the air.

Margaret spotted her daughter and waved with a beaming smile, "Maya, come over and have some tea!"

Suppressing her earlier thoughts, Maya put on a smile, just like any other day. "What kind of tea is it?"

"Your dad and I just got back from our trip to Dali. The most famous thing there is Pu-erh tea, so we brought some back. It was so expensive!"

George Cooper chuckled, "So what if it's a bit pricey? What's important is that we get to enjoy good tea! That's what really counts!" At his words, Maya smiled gently.

The three of them gathered around the table, sipping tea as they listened to the amusing stories her parents shared about their trip to Dali.

Pu-erh tea is naturally strong and particularly rich in flavor. Since her dad loved strong tea, he had brewed a generous amount, making it quite bitter. But the bitterness also had its own flavor.

Maya had downed four large cups of the bitter tea. Glancing at her watch, she set down her cup and dashed into her room.

"What's wrong?" Margaret looked at her, puzzled.

"I have to work this afternoon! I'm almost late!" As she spoke, she stuffed her new gloves into her bag and hurried out of the room. By the time she rushed into the office, it was 2:30 PM, leaving her with just ten minutes before class.

She let out a sigh of relief. The high school she worked at was the top school in Springfield City and the best in the area. Every year, countless students try desperately to get in. With a good school came great benefits and treatment, but of course, the rules were also strict.

She taught literature to the Senior classes four and five, and she was also the homeroom teacher for class five. "Please turn to page 85 in your textbook. Today, we will analyze an ancient poem. I will read it first, and then you can look at the annotations below." Standing at the podium, she cleared her throat and gently began, "The cuckoo sings in the river's isle..."

"A graceful teacher, a good match for students." A clear and melodious male voice suddenly interrupted her. Instantly, the entire class erupted in laughter, turning to see where the voice had come from.

Ethan Darwin lazily rested his arms on the desk, squinting his attractive eyes at the sunlight streaming through the window. He recited, word for word, "The cuckoo sings in the river's isle, a graceful teacher, a good match for students..."

Laughter erupted in the classroom, and Maya couldn't help but join in, a helpless smile spreading across her delicate face as she called out, "Ethan Darwin!"

"Miss Cooper, what's up?" he replied, narrowing his eyes with a playful smile. Maya walked over and stood beside him, playfully pinching his ear as a form of reprimand.

"Come to my office after class."

********

In the office. Maya sighed, looking a bit exasperated. "Ethan, can you please stop causing trouble during class?"

"Miss Cooper, I think I've been quite well-behaved," Ethan said with a broad smile, raising an eyebrow nonchalantly. "My life is just too dull; I need some fun. Where's the Christmas gift you promised me, Miss Cooper?"

"Oh, you remember that better than anyone else. I've already prepared your Christmas gift, but there's one condition."

"What's your condition?"

Maya sat down at her desk. "I've been the homeroom teacher for Class 5 for a year now, and I've never seen your family at any of the parent-teacher meetings. You must have a family member come to tomorrow's meeting" She emphasized the word 'must'.

Ethan leaned casually against the desk, rubbing his nose. "Miss Cooper, that's a bit difficult for me."

"Well, if it's difficult, then forget it. You can go back to the classroom and prepare for your next lesson. And no Christmas gift for you," she said, picking up a pen and starting to prepare her lesson.

"Okay, I promise I will have my family member come, Miss Cooper, about the gift." he relented.

Maya's lips curled into a satisfied smile as she pulled out a pair of gloves she had prepared in advance and handed them to him. "Here's your Christmas gift, Merry Christmas."

Taking the white knitted gloves, Ethan flipped them over in his hands, a hint of dissatisfaction creasing his brow.

Noticing his discontent, she extended her hand toward him. "If you don't want them, just give them back. I stayed up for two nights to knit these gloves for you!" At her words, the corners of the boy's mouth lifted into a wide smile, and he stepped closer.

Though she was his teacher, she stood significantly shorter than he, only reaching his jawline. Bending down, Ethan unexpectedly grabbed Maya's hand. She froze for a moment, and before she could react, his warm, soft lips pressed against her palm, sending a tingling sensation through her. "This is my Christmas gift for you in return." he released her hand with a feigned air of a British gentleman and walked out of the office, his eyes bright.

It wasn't until his figure disappeared that Maya snapped back to reality. The sensation of his lips lingered in her palm. Thank goodness there were no other teachers around; otherwise, it would have been so embarrassing! He was just a high school senior, yet he acted like such a gentleman. What a mischievous kid!

Ethan's gaze remained fixed on the gloves in his hand. Once he turned the corner, he pulled out his phone, his voice cheerful and light. "Greg, it's me. Can you have my dad or my mom come to school tomorrow?"

"Young Master, neither Mr. Darwin nor Mrs. Darwin is available."

"My older brother just returned from the States. Have him come instead. And tell him if he doesn't show up, I'll make a scene."

Maya woke up at six o'clock to prepare for the upcoming parent-teacher meeting. Since it was winter, the world outside was still shrouded in darkness.

Through the window, she could faintly see the branches swaying in the cold wind, signaling that a change in the weather was coming! Christmas was just a couple of days away, and yet there hadn't been a single snowfall this year.

Holding a cup of warm water, She stood by the window, lost in thought. Just then, a loud clattering of footsteps interrupted her. Tessa, heavily made up and swaying, stumbled into the room, reeking of alcohol.

Seeing this, Maya furrowed her brow and lowered her voice, "Tessa, why are you so drunk? Did you go gambling again?"

At her words, Tessa lifted her head defiantly. "Who says I lost money again? Who dares to say I lost again? I just had a bit of bad luck! My fortune will turn around in a couple of days!"

Without saying another word, Maya gave her a few glances at her, grabbed her scarf and bag, and walked out of the room.

At school. At ten o'clock, it was time for the parent-teacher meeting. The parents were already seated, with only one seat left empty. Maya bit her lip, wondering if Ethan's parent were not going to show up again. She was about to look for Ethan, but as soon as she turned around, her heart skipped a beat.

How could it be him?

Charles Darwin was wearing a white shirt, with a tan coat draped over his arm. He seemed to be in a bit of a hurry, which added a touch of casualness to his appearance. His deep-set eyes casually scanned the woman in front of him, a fleeting look of surprise passing over his face, but it was too quick to catch.

As he walked past, he merely glanced at Maya, passing by her like a stranger. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and even the attendance list in her hand trembled slightly. How couldn't she have guessed that he was actually related to Ethan Darwin? It was true what they said-enemies cross paths often. But the world is too big; why did they meet so easily again?

Swallowing the lump in her throat, which felt like a fishbone stuck there, she took a deep breath to calm herself.

Most of the parents attending the meeting were women, and Charles presence was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air among them. With his striking features that seemed sculpted by God and his noble, elegant aura, the mothers around her quickly pulled out their phones to take pictures. Some even posted photos on social media.

Charles frowned slightly. The crowd's attention made him feel a bit impatient and irritated, but he didn't let it show. His calm gaze fell on Maya, and his thin lips moved as he spoke in a low voice, "Miss Cooper, hasn't the parent-teacher meeting started yet?"

Maya felt overwhelmed, her discomfort palpable, but she straightened her back and tried to ignore the tall, imposing figure in front of her. Adopting her teaching tone, she replied, "I apologize for keeping everyone waiting during such a busy time. The purpose of this meeting is to report on the students' academic performance over the past year and their behavior at school. When I call out the names of these parents, please respond."

She began to call out the names of the parents of the top-performing students, all of whom had excellent grades and behavior. Her voice was steady and calm, slightly hoarse due to a cold, yet it was melodious and engaging.

When she spoke about her students, her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and energy. Charles raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on her as he squinted and assessed her. Her hair was blonde, cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes were round and bright like shiny pearls, while her small, delicate nose and naturally rosy lips added to her charm.

Her fair complexion glowed like jade, and the bright red down jacket she wore made her look even more radiant, accentuating her rosy cheeks. Without a trace of makeup, she looked refined and graceful, exuding a sense of comfort.

Though she tried her best to focus, she could still feel that deep gaze sweeping over her. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself to stay calm and composed, then spoke up, "Are you Ethan Darwin's family?"

Charles leaned back lazily, his tall frame relaxed as he replied, "Yes." His rich, magnetic voice drew the attention of the women around him, their eyes instinctively turning to him, captivated.

He was now her student's family, not the man from that night.

After mentally warning herself again, Maya raised her head and spoke calmly, "Do you know Ethan's ranking in school?"

Charles maintained his relaxed posture, but his handsome face turned slightly, his nose appearing even more prominent as he listened intently, exuding an undeniable charm.

"He's always second to last in every exam, without exception. I hope Mr. Darwin can pay more attention to his study."

If it were any other parent hearing such a ranking in front of so many people, they would likely feel embarrassed or blush. Yet, he remained unfazed, elegant, and composed. "How many senior students are there in the entire school?"

Maya replied honestly, "Two thousand nine hundred."

He flicked his fingers against his sleeve, resting his chin thoughtfully. "But isn't there another one ranking behind him? Two thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine. That's quite a good ranking."

Caught off guard by such an answer, Maya blinked in surprise for a moment before regaining her composure, a hint of sarcasm creeping into her thoughts. Wealthy people's mindset is truly different from that of ordinary folks.

Even if they always come in last at school, they don't worry about the future.

"Mr. Darwin, your perspective is unique."

"Just average," Charles said, a slight smirk on his lips, though his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her. Their eyes locked, and Maya's heart raced. She quickly averted her gaze.

The parent-teacher meeting was soon coming to an end. As soon as it wrapped up, Charles pushed back his chair and strode out with long strides. Ethan had been waiting outside for a while. "Charles."

"Hmm" Charles nodded, then after a moment, he added, "Is this the best you can do in exams?"

Clearing his throat, Ethan grinned playfully. "Big brother, you know why prices in big malls often end in 9? It can boost the consumer's desire. Just listen to 'two thousand nine hundred' and then 'two thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine.' Which one feels better?"

"Do you think you're a product with a price tag in a store?" Charles shot him a cold glance and warned, "Next time, don't you ever rank 2899th again, or you'll regret it!"

"When did you start caring about my rankings? If I can't run 2,899th next time, how about aiming for 2,898th instead? That's still a pretty decent rank."

"If you don't make it into the top 1,000 next time, all your expenses will be cut off." Charles said coldly.

Hearing this, Ethan shrugged helplessly. "Alright, if that's the case, you have to agree to one condition!"

"What condition?"

*********

By the time all the parents had been sent off, it was already noon, time for lunch. Maya stretched and walked out of the school gate, ready to grab some spaghetti. But a sleek black Bentley suddenly blocked her path, coming to a stop right beside her.