Chapter One “Hey.” A young man with curly locks snapped his fingers, the sound sharp in the quiet corridor. “You want easy money or not?” Adrian Vale did not flinch. He stood with his shoulders relaxed and eyes lowered, as if he had heard worse before. He had. He had been mocked by teachers, ignored by his peers, and discarded by the very city he called home. Words like these came easily to people who never worried about rent, tuition, or survival. Lukas Leonardo was the undisputed king of the campus—a young student defined by fast cars, loud parties, and a total lack of restraint. “I’m throwing a party tonight,” Lukas continued, his voice dripping with condescension. “And I need a dog to fetch the ice, pour the drinks, and stand in the corner and do exactly what he’s told.” Adrian didn't hesitate. Pride was a luxury for people with full stomachs. “How much, Lukas?” That amused them even more. “Look at him!” Lukas shouted, turning to the circle of his friends. “Did you hear

Chapter Three “Mr. Sterling,” Adrian said, his voice dropping to a dangerous chill. “I want to know exactly how much it costs to own the ground Lukas Leonardo walks on. I want to know the price of every brick in that University.” Mr. Sterling bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the desk. “Consider it done, Mr. Vale. I will personally pull the debt records, the land deeds, and the board members' private interests. I will have the full report for you shortly.” “Good,” Adrian said, tucking the black card into his pocket. As he walked out of the bank, the heavy glass doors held open by the manager himself, a call came in. For a moment, the city felt unfamiliar to Adrian. Not because anything had changed, but because he had. The black card rested in his pocket, heavier than its weight suggested. It was not the card itself that altered the air around him. It was what it represented. Access. Finality. A quiet end to certain conversations. His phone vibrated bringing him from his he

Chapter Five The manager turned to the salesgirl. “Especia,” he said evenly. “Bring the card validator.” Especia’s head snapped up, a smirk twitching on her lips. “Sir, why waste the energy? The transaction already went through and it was certain that it's a stolen card.” “I am aware of your opinion,” the manager replied. “I want internal verification.” A murmur rippled through the store. The wealthy clients moved closer, sensing the drama. “He stole it,” Jason said again, pointing openly at Adrian. “There is no way that card belongs to him. Look at him,” he spoke to Mira loud enough for everyone to hear. Mira folded her arms tightly, her eyes scanning Adrian with a look of profound nausea. “This is embarrassing. Honestly, Adrian, did you think a stolen card would make me come crawling back? All it’s doing is making you look like a low-life, a criminal, and a fool. Let’s just end this now.” “Bring me the card validator.” the manager looked at Especia who was impatient to get to

Chapter Seven The irritation on Lina's features was immediate as she shot Lukas a sharp look, her jaw tightening as his smirk widened, as if he had struck exactly where he intended. “What is the meaning of this, Lukas.” the dorm head finally spoke, his tone warning. “Do you have something against Adrian?” Lukas laughed, lifting his glass lazily. He was the kind of bully who found pleasure in the discomfort of others, who thrived on provoking reactions and pretending innocence afterward.“I’m just having fun,” he said, taking a slow sip of the wine.Wines were prohibited in high school since they were students that needed to study hard but exceptions were quietly made for events like birthdays for influential families and for people like Lukas rules bent around him easily since he was a bully and a disobedient student at that. After the heat dies down, Lina places the glass beside Adrian. And tapped him on the shoulder apologetically, Adrian cleared his throat, staying quiet, it was

Chapter Nine The taxi stopped in front of the Vista Hotel. Luxury supercars lined the entrance, their engines humming softly under the brilliant golden light. Adrian stepped out, his worn sneakers hitting the pristine pavement. He gripped his phone tightly as the $50 million notification was still burning in his mind like a hot coal. He hadn't walked five feet before a hand blocked his path. “Where do you think you're going? “The back entrance is for waste disposal and laundry deliveries, kid," the doorman said. His white-gloved hand remained held out like a wall. He didn't even look Adrian in the eye, he was too busy opening a door for a man in a tuxedo. "I'm not a delivery driver," Adrian said, his voice calmer than he expected. "I’m here to see Chase Goodman." The doorman finally looked at him and sneered. "The General Manager? You think a man who manages the portfolios of oil tycoons has time to meet a student in a thrift-store jacket? Move along before I have security sweep