Chapter One Three million dollars. This amount kept repeating in Declan Hale’s mind like a bad dream. Where was he supposed to find that kind of money under a short while? He was just a poor orphan, barely surviving on a scholarship. Just thinking about it made his chest tighten. To make matters worse, he could not do anything at the moment because he had horses to ride and a championship game to win. The Polo field of Elite Howard University spread like a bright green carpet under the hot afternoon sun. Horses thundered across the grass as the crowd shouted and whistled. Declan gripped the reins tighter, trying to focus, but his thoughts kept drifting to Nana lying sick in the school clinic. If he doesn't play well today, Howard University could lose the match and he could lose the medical school scholarship promised him if he continued winning championships for them. Losing wasn’t an option. His whole future depended on it. “Declan! Put your head in the game, or you know

Chapter three Declan walked back across campus long after midnight, moving as if his body had forgotten how to feel. His heart still felt heavy from the breakup. No matter how many times he replayed it in his mind, he still couldn’t believe Tahlia had walked away so easily. He remembered how he had worked after classes, saved every dollar, skipped meals, and did extra jobs at the stables just to get her something special for her birthday earlier that year. A silver necklace , delicate, customized with her name. He had hidden it away because he wanted to give it to her when the time felt right. Now, it felt pointless. But since it was meant for her, he decided to give it anyway , maybe this one last gift would close the door for good. He placed the tiny box in his pocket and headed toward the student apartment buildings. The air felt unusually warm, and bass from loud music thumped around the corner. When he reached her building, he stopped. A red Ferrari was

Chapter Five Declan stared at the woman wearing a custom made white suit that made her look elegant and sophisticated for a long moment. He wasn’t sure if he was still half asleep or imagining things. She looked too perfect, too calm, too… powerful and too good to be true. Her hair was tied in a tight blonde bun, not a strand out of place. Her heels clicked softly as she stepped forward with a gentle smile. “You must be freezing,” she said. “Please follow me.” She said and led him to the car where another tall man in a black. He opened the back door of the sleek black limousine and waited. Declan didn’t move. He rubbed his eyes, wondering if his brain was playing tricks on him. “Pinch me.” He said, extending his hands to her, he needed to be sure he wasn’t sleeping or worse… dead. The woman saw through his troubles and decided to make it easy for him to comprehend. “My name is Ms. Sonia,” she said, placing her hand on her chest politely. “I will be your personal

Chapter 7 Stefan’s grip tightened around Declan’s sleeve like a metal vice, loud enough for everyone waiting outside the exam hall to hear him. “Why should an ex-convict be allowed to take medical exams?” he shouted. “That’s unethical!” A few students froze mid way. Heads turned. Some pretended not to care, but their phones came up anyway recording. Always recording. Declan pulled his arm free, jaw tight. “I’m here to write. Let l me in.” Stefan laughed loudly, clapping twice like he had heard a joke. “You think this place is for stray dogs like you?” The crowd snickered. Someone whispered, “Isn’t that the guy who barked at Stefan last week…?” Declan clenched his teeth. His chest felt tight, but he kept his voice calm. Before he could speak again, Asher and Ashton pushed through bodies and stood beside him. “He hasn’t been convicted,” Asher snapped. “He was bailed. Back off.” Stefan’s lips stretched into a mocking smile. “Awww… look. The dog brought backup.”

Chapter Nine The lobby felt like it was holding its breath. Stefan was still shouting, red in the face, spitting words like poison. The valet couldn’t even look at him anymore. His eyes kept going back to the black card in the guard’s hand. The security guard held it carefully now, with both hands, like it was something sacred. He turned to Declan. “S…. sir,” he said slowly, voice much softer now, “I’m… I’m sorry. We made a mistake.” The valet swallowed hard and stepped forward too. “I deeply apologize for my behavior earlier,” he said quickly. “I should never have spoken to you that way. I–I hope you can forgive my rudeness.” People watched in stunned silence as the same man who had told Declan to come back for leftovers was almost bowing to him. Stefan stared like he couldn’t believe it. “What are you doing?” he demanded. “Why are you apologizing to him?” The valet didn’t answer him. He turned his body slightly, facing Declan instead. “If you will allow it, s