Jackson managed to buy his way back into the group once again after he told them he had resigned from his job at Sky Tower and wanted to focus more on his studies. “I realized I was giving too much to this job, my academics were suffering, and I was losing the very people that mattered to me,” he had said.Those words melted the hearts of James, Andrew, and Nancy that they even asked him not to quit his job because of them, reminding him of how much he needed the money. But Jackson told them he already got another job, and that even if the payment wasn’t as much as the one from Sky Tower, he preferred it, as it would allow him to pay more attention to his studies and to the group.It was a moment of mixed feelings for the others, who felt guilty that Jackson was sacrificing so much for the group and they had been harsh on him, judging him that he was becoming a different person.Bella also apologized for later attending Claire’s birthday party with Mystery billionaire after she turne

Jackson sat up straight in his bed, his hand tightening around the phone as Mr. Jerry’s words echoed through his mind. Red Tails is threatening to take over the Harts Empire. He may not really know much about the mafia aspect of the Empire, especially with Red Echo and with Red Tails and how their activities were affecting the Harts Empire, but if Mr. Jerry was calling him to inform him about it, then it must be very serious.“Mr. Jerry,” Jackson said carefully, trying to steady his voice. “How is that even possible? You said Red Echo is bigger than Red Tails and Red Echo had total control of all the mafia activities of the Empire? So how come Red Tails is suddenly becoming a threat?”“Yes, Red Echo did,” Jerry said, his voice grim. “Until Don Lewis began quietly diverting resources and influence. I just got to find out now that the moment your father passed, he started positioning Red Tails as a separate force—recruiting loyalists from within Red Echo and cutting silent deals with e

Joanne Moore stood before her bedroom mirror, still wondering if tonight was real or she was just fantasizing. All her life, she had idolized Yvonne Tween—CEO of Tween’s Enterprise, the woman who turned fashion into a movement.Not once in her life has she imagined that a day would come when she'd be sitting with Yvonne Tween at dinner, much less being invited by her in person.It was like a dream come true for her to dine with the biggest name in the fashion industry—a step to achieving her dreams of being one of the most celebrated CEOs in the fashion industry after her graduation from the university when she finally takes over Moore's Couture.She tried to rehearse her speech over and over again, just so she wouldn’t make mistakes. She could imagine the impact this dinner with Yvonne Tween would have on her status when the news finally reaches her fellow students.Being the Senate President’s daughter already made her a figure in her school—but a dinner with Yvonne Tween would tear

As the students dispersed from the heated confrontation in class, James and Andrew pulled Jackson aside.They knew Jackson to act stupid at times, which was something common in the group. But that Jackson would venture into a bet that he already lost before entering was the dumbest thing anyone would ever do.“Bro,” James said, arms crossed, “what the hell was that about? You just made a bet with Joanne Moore. You do realize who she is, right?”Andrew added, “She’s got the media in her pocket. Her dad’s the Senate President for crying out loud. And now she’s all over Yvonne Tween’s official handles. And then, you were bold enough to stand in front of everyone and make that stupid bet? Trust me, you just earned yourself a free ticket to becoming an errand boy to Joanne.”Jackson smiled faintly, almost as if he were completely unaffected.He wished his friends knew what he was planning to turn the contest into. He would be shocking the whole world on the day of the contest and would beg

Joanne had never felt more radiant in her life than she felt that evening as she prepared for her date with Mystery billionaire.Dressed in a designer dress, Joanne kept her gaze fixed on the floor-to-ceiling mirror that stood in her room. She had checked her makeover over and over again, but she still wasn’t satisfied. This was a perfect night for her, and if things should go as planned, it might be the beginning of something remarkable with Mystery billionaire.She was still trying to get the perfectness of how she was looking while still in front of the mirror when the low rumble of a custom pearl-white Lamborghini drew her attention. “His driver is here to pick you up.” One of the stewards working for the Moore’s family came to announce it to her.“Alright, I’ll be down shortly.” Joanne replied, taking a final look at her reflection before stepping out of the room.“You look beautiful,” Senator Moore said, seeing how grown his daughter had become. “Have fun, okay?” he added, givi