I sat in the cramped corner of the café, staring down at my phone. My hands trembled as I scrolled through the list of expenses Linda had just sent me. I had been working two part-time jobs just to scrape by, and now, all of that hard-earned money was about to disappear into the virtual shopping cart of someone who didn't seem to care. I took a quick glance at Linda and could see her cold gaze fixed on me."Jase," Linda said, her voice sharp as she tossed her phone onto the table. "Pay for it. I added everything I need. You can handle that, right?" she asked nonchalantly.I hesitated, my heart thudding. It wasn't the first time I would have to empty my wallet, my savings just to please Linda, and at the end, I got nothing in return but her cold attitude.The total amount was suffocating—nearly my entire paycheck. I had just received my salary today, and most of it was already allocated for my tuition fee, which had been overdue for months. My university had given me an ultimatum: p

I lay on the ground, my chest heaving as I struggled to regain my breath. Every muscle in my body was in pain, but worse was the humiliation. The crowd still stood looking at the drama, though their murmurs had died down. I could feel their eyes on me, judging, mocking, pitying me. Ethan stood nearby, his face smug, confident in his victory.As I attempted to push myself off the ground, my arms trembled beneath me. I managed to get one knee up, but my body felt weak, too battered to move quickly. My head throbbed, and the weight of my failure pressed harder on me than Ethan's foot ever had.Before I could fully stand, the sharp sound of heels clicking against the pavement filled the air. The crowd parted once more, this time revealing a figure of power and authority: Mr. Reynolds, the director of the school. He was impeccably dressed in a crisp suit, his hair neatly combed back, and his expression severe. The professor who had come to my rescue straightened immediately, stepping back

My mind reeled from the stranger's words, the silence in the room stretching uncomfortably. "Your father?" The statement hung in the air like a dense fog, making it hard for me to breathe. I blinked twice trying to make sure what I had heard was correct.I had no idea who this man was or what kind of sick game he was playing, but the implication of his words gnawed at my insides. My father had always been a sore subject—an absentee parent, angry and distant, more of a ghost than a man in my life. But now, the old man in front of me acted as if he knew more about my family than I did.Before I could respond, the door behind me creaked open. A tall, elegant woman entered the room, her sharp features softened by a warm smile. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she approached, stopping beside the man."Father," she said softly, looking between me and the old man, "I think we should get the DNA test done first, just to be sure."My brow furrowed. DNA test? I wasn't sure

The two of them exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsettled by my newfound confidence. I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving them standing there in stunned silence.As I walked, my mind raced with possibilities. My life had changed in an instant—I now had resources beyond their wildest dreams. Ethan and Linda had no idea what was coming for them, but soon enough, they would.I smiled to myself, my heart filled with resolve. The power and wealth I now possessed would not only protect my family but would also ensure that no one ever dared to cross me again.And my enemies? They had no idea what kind of storm was about to descend on them.My smile faded as I crossed the courtyard, the cold wind whipping around me as I made my way toward the school's main building. My thoughts spiraled—I had done well to keep my newfound power hidden for now, but Linda and Ethan were like snakes, waiting for the right moment to strike. They had humiliated my grandmother, and no amount of apologies

The tension in the hallway thickened as Ethan's smug grin deepened, his words sending a ripple of excitement through the gathered students. I paused, my thumb hovering over the screen. I glanced at my grandmother, her fragile form trembling, her tear-filled eyes silently begging me to reconsider. But I had gone too far to back down now. My pride—and my grandmother's dignity—were at stake."More interesting, huh?" My voice was low, filled with barely contained fury. I straightened, turning my cold gaze toward Ethan. "Alright. What's your game, Matthews?"Ethan wiped the blood from his lips, his smile never faltering despite the pain. "Simple. If the transfer fails, you strip down and run around the school naked. And don't worry—Linda here will make sure it's all recorded for posterity." He gestured to Linda, who was grinning wickedly, her phone still recording every second of the encounter. She was ready to make me a laughing stock for the whole school.Gasps echoed through the crowd.