The exam hall door slammed shut behind Richard as he rushed in all sweaty causing all the heads in the hall to turn and the condescending whispers started. "Look what crawled in.""Slum rat's back.""Did someone forget to fumigate?"Professor Hayes looked up from his papers, and his lips curled instantly into a sneer"Mr. Chen Richard!" The frown on his face deepened with each passing statement. "You're late again. "Richard kept his head down, walking to the back row. His uniform was clean but faded. The scholarship badge on his chest felt like a target."Rough night in the gutters?" Hayes continued, drawing laughter from the front rows. "Or did you have to walk here because the bus fare was too expensive?"More laughter slithered through their lips.Richard was popular in school but for the most unfavorable reasons.Richard pulled out his pen. The exam paper was already face-down on his desk. Three weeks of studying for this moment and it was almost blown up by his employer, Terry

an old man stepped into the cell like he owned every brick in the building.He wasn't flashy like Terry Simpson with his designer labels and gold watches. His dark suit was understated, perfectly tailored, in a way that glimmered under the light, the sleek material not shouting but still breathtaking.Silver hair combed back, sharp eyes that missed nothing, and a black cane he clearly didn't need for walking.Richard gripped the cell bars tighter. Something about the man's face nagged at him, familiar in a way that made his chest tighten. He'd seen those features before, carved in bronze or printed in newspapers, but his exhausted mind couldn't place them."Release this young man," the old man said to the duty officer.His voice wasn't loud but it carried an aura that was potent enough to snap breaths out of their lungs.Officer Park looked up from his paperwork, took in the old man's appearance, and burst out laughing."You hear this, Morrison?" Park called his partner. "Grandpa here

The Maybach's leather interior felt suffocating, it felt distinct from Richard's personality as he walked into it.Richard sat pressed against the door, staring at the city lights streaming past the tinted windows. His phone still glowed with the DNA evidence, the court documents, the undeniable proof that his entire life had been built on a lie."You're quiet," Mr. Simpson observed."I'm processing the fact that I spent three years swearing I'd destroy the Simpson family," Richard said without looking away from the window. "I promised myself I'd never bow my head to them again, never take another order, never give them another second of my life. And now you're telling me I am one of them.""You are not one of them. You are above them."Richard laughed harshly. "That's a convenient distinction.""It's also accurate.""Is it?" Richard turned to face him. "The DNA test. You're absolutely certain?""I had it conducted by three independent laboratories in three different countries," Mr. S

The intensive care corridor erupted in laughter.Terry threw his head back, his amusement echoing off the sterile walls with genuine delight. Bella doubled over beside him, one manicured hand pressed against the wall for support as she giggled uncontrollably."Did everyone hear that?" Terry wiped an imaginary tear from his eye, gesturing toward Richard with theatrical flair. "The slum rat thinks he can make demands. Tell me, Richard, who exactly did you just call? Your fairy godmother? The President? Or maybe one of your scholarship committee friends?"The nurses at the station exchanged nervous glances, a few unable to suppress their own chuckles. Dr. Aris, the attending physician, stepped forward with an eager smile, clearly sensing an opportunity to curry favor."Young Master Simpson is being incredibly generous by even allowing you to stand in this hallway," Dr. Aris said, looking at Richard with undisguised contempt. "A person of your... background... should be grateful for the c