The debate began, and Dave started strong, at least on the surface. His voice was smooth, and his points well-rehearsed. He spoke about preserving elite traditions and maintaining the prestige of the institution. He often dropped a subtle dig at scholarship students between the lines, with statements like "Without a set of people, I believe the standard of this academy would be unmatched anywhere in the world." Whenever he talked about lowering standards, Dave's eyes flicked to Jace’s side of the room. At the same time, the elite audience nodded approvingly, almost every one of them agreed with his hinted discriminatory speech. As for the scholarship students, they shifted uncomfortably, because Dave spoke with so much confidence and Charisma that would make anyone agree with him. Even Tristan Coleman nodded his head at intervals.When Dave finished, he took a bow and stepped back from the podium, the elite audience erupted with cheers and applauses, and then finally it was Jace’s

Dave stormed down the corridor, his shoes striking the polished tiles in sharp, echoing steps. The echoes followed him like a drumbeat to his fury, each one pushing him faster until he reached the heavy oak door at the end of the hall. Mr. Coleman, the name on a golden plate hung firmly on the door, indicating that it was Tristan Coleman's office, the place where his father was also expected to be. Dave didn’t knock, he just pushed the door open so hard it slammed into the wall, his breath heavy like someone who had just run a marathon. Tears still cling to the corner of his eyes, and shame washes over his face. Inside, the room smelled faintly of leather and cologne, with the tall windows letting in shafts of sunlight that fell over the polished desk where Tristan Coleman lounged in a tailored navy suit. As the door flung open, his sharp eyes flickered toward Dave with mild irritation. Beside him, seated in the high-backed leather chair, was Washington, Dave’s father, his broa

Just after she had left the room, yet another knock was heard, and Jace grumbled, assuming that Grace never left. "What do you..." He flung open the door and his voice trailed off, seeing Max standing at the door. "Max, sorry I was expecting someone else," He apologised and quickly gestured for him to come in. "No, I actually have something for you, her father sent it to me to give you... "Her?" "Jane," Max nodded, deciding to step into the room briefly and closing the door behind him. "I had to invite Tristan Coleman myself, and he said his daughter talked about you to him, it's one of the few reasons he agreed to show up at the debate to see the famous boy that caught his daughter's attention." "I..." Jace stuttered, not knowing what to say. He took the box from Max, his mind reeling with curiosity about what might be underneath the expensive wrap. "Jane sent it, or was it Jane?" Jace asked, slowly unwrapping the box, "What could it be?" "I think you should see it for you

"Grace?" Jace tried to call her attention but she seemed to have completely vanished into the crowd without a trace. So much for not being bothered by all the attention he was getting. Even while he looked nervous, some pretty female students still waved lovingly at him while with their partners. Truly it felt strange and somewhat overwhelming."Oh my God," he muttered, and quickly turned around, returning to the balcony so that Jane wouldn't get too curious or worse, upset."Is everything okay?" Jane asked upon his return, she never left the spot where she had been standing."I... sort of," Jace babbled,"The truth is, I had a lot of people asking me to be their partner tonight, I couldn't say yes to all of them, and she's one of them.""Oh," Jane muttered,"I hope my father's gift didn't force you to..."No no," Jace cut her off briskly,"I chose to come with you, not just because of your father. Honestly, you've been really nice to me since I got here, and that's enough reason for

Jacs was stunned to silence, his hand glued to his now reddened cheek, while Grace stood right in front of him, fuming with anger, threatening to slap him a second time. Max jumped out of the car in a flash and grabbed Grace's hand before she could hit Jace again. Somehow, Jace managed to dodge, and the slap never landed. "Why did you do that?" Jace barked, "You sent the photo to everyone and made it seem like I brought you into the boys' dorm room just to get back at me! Wasn't that enough for you already?" "Me?" Grace asked, an expression of shock etched on her face, "What do you mean I sent the photo to everyone? Why would I even do that, knowing it would implicate me too? Don't you know what this is to me?" For a moment, there was silence between them, just the subtle sound of their heavy breathing. "So you didn't post the pictures," Jace asked, raising a brow. Somehow the situation is a lot more complicated than it seems. "If I posted it, then why would I slap you and bl