The afternoon sun streamed through the windows of Café Luna, casting long shadows across the checkered floor where Alexander Rivera moved between tables with practiced efficiency. His faded black uniform, carefully patched at the elbow, bore the stains of countless shifts. The café buzzed with the usual crowd of Saint George Technical University students, their expensive laptops and designer bags scattered across marble tables.Alexander balanced three plates on his arm, navigating toward a corner booth when he froze. His heart stopped as he recognized the familiar laugh echoing from the secluded section near the window. Elena's laugh. But she wasn't alone.There, in the intimate corner booth, Elena Rodriguez sat pressed against Anthony Volpe, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Alexander's childhood friend wore his usual smirk of superiority, his designer watch catching the light as his hands roamed Elena's back.The plates slipped from Alexander's numb fingers, crashing to the f

Alexander slipped through the heavy doors of the lecture hall, his worn sneakers squeaking against the polished floor. Advanced Mathematics with Professor Foster was already in session, and every head turned as he made his entrance fifteen minutes late. His café uniform still clung to him, wrinkled and stained from the morning shift he'd barely escaped from.Professor Robert Foster, a stern man in his fifties with wire-rimmed glasses, stopped mid-sentence and fixed Alexander with a withering stare. "Mr. Rivera, how generous of you to grace us with your presence."The lecture hall fell silent. Alexander felt heat creep up his neck as one hundred and fifty pairs of eyes focused on him. "I'm sorry, Professor. I was working and—""Working?" Professor Foster's voice dripped with disdain. "And I suppose your job is more important than your education? Tell me, Mr. Rivera, where are your textbooks?"Alexander's stomach dropped. In his rush from the café, he'd forgotten his backpack in his dor

Alexander was still standing outside The Golden Terrace with Sophia when her phone rang. The screen showed Frank Collins's name, and she hesitated before answering."Sophia, thank God you picked up!" Frank's voice was high-pitched and panicked, loud enough for Alexander to hear every word. "We need your help. Right now. It's an emergency.""What's wrong?" Sophia asked, frowning."Vincent's card got declined. The whole bill got declined. His dad cut him off or something – we're stuck here and they won't let us leave!"Sophia's face went pale. "What do you mean they won't let you leave?""The manager has security guards at every exit!" Frank was nearly crying now. "The bill is $108,000, Sophia. They're saying they'll call the police if we can't pay."Alexander's eyes widened. $108,000 for dinner? He'd worked for months without making that much money."Frank, calm down," Sophia said, already walking toward the restaurant entrance. "How much do you need?""Vincent managed to scrape togeth

Alexander stood outside the library doors, his hands shaking with rage as the laughter from inside still echoed in his ears. The humiliation burned through him like acid, but this time it was different. This time, he didn't have to just take it. He pulled out his phone and scrolled to Samuel Romano's contact.Daniel Ross needs to be taught a lesson. Break his right hand. Make it clear this is what happens when people cross me.The response came within seconds: Yes, sir. Consider it done.Alexander stared at his phone, a strange mix of satisfaction and unease washing over him. A week ago, he would never have imagined having this kind of power. Now, with a simple text message, he could change someone's life forever."Hey, poverty boy!"Alexander looked up to see Daniel Ross strutting out of the library with a group of his law school friends, all of them grinning like they'd just witnessed the entertainment of the century."Leaving so soon?" Daniel called out mockingly. "I thought maybe

The black town car glided through the wrought-iron gates of Beacon Hill Manor, leaving the world of student protests and campus gossip behind. Alexander Rivera watched the world transform outside his window into one of silent, immense power. Manicured hedges stood at attention like sentinels guarding a fortress of old money.Samuel Romano, sitting beside him, broke the silence. "The regional leaders have all arrived, Mr. Rivera. They are… intensely curious about the young man Mr. Benedetti has chosen."Alexander, still in his simple jeans and shirt, said nothing. He could still feel the phantom sting of Sophia’s rejection, the vicious whispers of "pervert" echoing in his mind. That humiliation was a fresh wound, but this was a different kind of pressure entirely.The manor was a Georgian masterpiece of red brick and white pillars. The car stopped under a grand portico where eight men in tailored suits stood with a stillness more threatening than any aggressive posture. As Alexander st