The deafening roar of the crowd had finally faded. Most of the students were rushing away from the window, out into the campus courtyard to celebrate the massive funding announcement.The grand convocation hall, which had been vibrating with energy just moments ago, suddenly felt vast and hollow.Only a handful of people remained. A few tech scouts were quietly packing up their briefcases in the front rows. A couple of lingering students hid in the shadows near the back exits, holding up their phones to record whatever happened next.And standing right in the center of the brightly lit stage were the main players.Dr. Sage Walters did not ask anyone to step into a private back room. He did not care who was watching. He leaned heavily on his silver cane, his sharp eyes locked entirely on Principal Jeffery Epstein.Epstein was sweating right through his tailored suit. His knees were practically knocking together. He looked at Sage, then at the giant, Dwayne, who had stepped up onto the

Nathan let out a short, dry laugh. He actually found it funny.“A thief?” Nathan asked, shaking his head in amusement. “You know, Mark, in my version of the story, things look a little different. In my version, you are the thief. You stole my sanity and my dignity for two years, bullying me every single day in the hallways. Then, you literally stole my invention to show off to the world.”Nathan glanced at Amanda, then back to Mark.“And then you say I want to steal your girlfriend? Oh, wait,” Nathan corrected himself, tapping his chin mockingly. “You don't steal people. They come to you willingly when they have a reason to. Just like she came to you. She wanted the fancy cars and your daddy's money.”Nathan smiled, a cold, empty smile that made Mark’s stomach drop but his temperature rise.“But here is the real question, Mark. What happens when there is no longer a reason to stay? What happens when the billions disappear and you are just a regular guy with a failed project? Would she

The Uber ride from the campus to the city’s high-end district took nearly forty minutes, giving Nathan just enough time to process the absolute chaos of the last two days. The quiet buzz of the car engine was a stark contrast to the screaming, the threats, and the heavy thud of the sledgehammer in that abandoned warehouse where he was treated like a slave.He had made a quick, necessary pitstop before heading to the address Nina sent him. He could not show up to the Governor's mansion wearing his faded Braxton College clothes, smelling like sweat and stress. He had directed the driver to his penthouse.The brief visit to the penthouse was a jarring reminder of his actual reality. He had stood in the massive, marble-lined bathroom, letting the hot water wash away the grime of the stinking warehouse and the lingering tension of his confrontation with Epstein. He had stood in front of a closet filled with clothes that cost more than most people made in a year.He couldn't wear a bespoke s

"Enough!"The Governor's voice cracked like a whip, silencing the entire table instantly. He glared at his wife and his older children."That is absolutely no way to treat a guest in my house," Governor Delano scolded them harshly. "Have some class."He turned back to Nathan, his expression softening into one of deep reverence. He reached out and carefully picked up the bottle of Château Mouton, holding it like it was made of fragile glass."Come on now, let me have a closer look at that, Nathan," the Governor whispered. He turned the bottle, examining the cork and the seal."It's... it's impossible," the Governor muttered, mostly to himself. He looked up at Nathan, his eyes filled with a mix of suspicion and sheer awe. "How did you even get this? Do you have any idea how rare and expensive this is? There are only a handful of these left in the world. How?"Nathan’s heart skipped a beat. He had made a mistake. He had brought something too expensive. He was supposed to be a poor college

"It is truly remarkable what his father accomplished," the wife continued. Her voice was loud and clear, carrying across the silent dining room. "Serving as the Prime Minister for eight straight years. He basically shaped the entire economy of the country single-handedly. And the family's net worth... well, let's just say it makes even our own wealth look incredibly modest."It was not subtle. It was not subtle at all. She was drawing a massive comparison, and every single person sitting at the table knew exactly what she was doing. She wasn't directly saying it to Nathan, but she was using this speech as a heavy reference to put him in his place."Austin is just everything a young man should be," the wife said. Her voice dripped with praise and deep admiration. "He has perfect breeding. He has an undeniable pedigree. He knows how to carry himself in high society because he was born into it. He understands how the world really works. You simply cannot learn that kind of class at a dirt