Chapter Seventy-twoThe rain began to lash against the windshield of the luggage van as Adrian drove away from the restaurant. Beside him, Lina was silent, her hands trembling as she stared at the gold-stamped envelope in her lap. The weight of a ten-year-old debt was suddenly crushing the life out of her graduation joy."Five million dollars," Lina whispered, her voice cracking. "Adrian, my mother... she sold me before I even knew how to read a balance sheet. How can the Thornes claim a Marriage Protection over a loan?"Adrian kept his eyes on the road, his expression as unreadable as a stone wall. "In the Capital, Lina, the elite don't lend money. They buy futures. To the Thornes, you aren't a person. You’re an asset they’ve been waiting to mature."He pulled the van over to the curb near the Greenhigh dorms. "Stay here with Yara. Don't answer the door, and don't take any calls from your mother. I have to go to the Thorne Logistics Headquarters to check their books, we will find a w

Chapter Seventy-fourThe Grand Ballroom of the Azure Heights Hotel was a shimmering sea of silk, diamonds, and predatory ambition. This wasn't just a charity gala; it was the Elite Showcase, the final act of the Thorne Socialite Training Program. Martha moved through the crowd like a peacock in a cheap rented gown, clutching a glass of champagne she couldn't pronounce the name of. Beside her, Lina looked like a captured princess. She wore a stunning emerald dress that was provided by the Thorne branch but her eyes were constantly darting toward the entrance."Stop looking for that delivery boy, Lina!" Martha hissed, pinching her daughter’s arm. "He couldn't even get past the valet in that rusted tractor of his. Look at Master Young! He’s the star of the evening!"Master Young stood in the center of the room, surrounded by a sycophantic circle of minor heirs. He wore a white tuxedo with gold lapels, looking every bit the arrogant prince of a fading empire. He caught Lina’s eye and rai

Chapter Seventy-sixMartha woke up the following morning stretching her body in the dorm. She looked around angry that her plan to elevate in the society using her beautiful daughter was almost executed if not for the good for nothing Adrian. She twisted her face at the thought of him.She tapped Andrew awake after an idea clicked her head, at least, Lina had an interview to go for on Tuesday. She thought to herself.“Andrew, wake up, this is not the time to sleep, call Adrian and Lina we need to go to Elite prestige motors.”It was morning at Elite Prestige Motors, a second-hand luxury dealership that specialized in selling polished-up wrecks to people who had more ego than sense.Martha marched across the parking lot, her heels clicking on the asphalt. Lina walked behind her, with her head down, looking exhausted, and Adrian trailed at the back, wearing a faded grey hoodie and carrying a half-eaten bag of roasted peanuts."Look at this place, Lina!" Martha gestured wildly at a row o

Chapter Seventy-eightAt the lobby of Apex Logistics Director Chen stood by the reception desk, his suit pressed so sharply it looked like it could cut paper. He was checking his gold watch, and tapping his foot with the impatience of a man who thought his time was worth a thousand dollars a minute.Lina walked in, clutching her briefcase and looking nervous. Behind her, Adrian strolled in carrying a brown paper bag with two steam buns he’d bought from a street vendor."You’re three minutes early, Lina. In this business, if you’re not ten minutes early, you’re late," Chen barked, not even looking at her. Then his eyes drifted to Adrian and his lip curled in immediate disgust. "And you. I told you last night. This is a professional environment. No delivery boys, no loiterers, and certainly no street food in the lobby.""I'm just dropping off her lunch, Director," Adrian said, taking a bite of a bun. "Canteen food is usually overpriced and under-seasoned. I wouldn't want her to lose foc

Chapter-Eighty"Congratulations! You are our 1,000,000th customer! Scan your next receipt at the Fresh-Mart on 5th for a chance to win the Grand Prize!"Adrian smiled. "Lina, we need to pick up some breakfast for tomorrow. I have a feeling my luck is about to strike again."The Fresh-Mart on 5th was the kind of grocery store where the apples were polished to a mirror shine and the bottled water cost more than a gallon of gasoline. Adrian pushed a squeaky metal cart through the aisles, wearing his usual faded hoodie and a pair of beat-up sneakers and Lina walked beside him, looking through a small notebook of budget meal plans."We only need the essentials, Adrian," Lina whispered, eyeing a block of artisanal cheese that cost $40. "My first paycheck from Apex hasn't cleared yet, and my mother’s situation has drained our emergency fund.""Don't worry, Lina," Adrian said, tossing a bag of generic flour and a carton of eggs into the cart. "I have a few coupons. And I heard they’re doing