I stood still, looking at the stunned reactions from the crowd after revealing my true identity as the lost son of the Carters. My transformation from a nobody to someone of immense wealth was written on every face around me. But while the revelation had shaken everyone, I knew I wasn't done proving myself. I could sense the silent challenge that still hung in the air—a challenge from Ethan, who wasn't ready to admit defeat just yet. "He can't be? Is he really the lost son of the Carters?" One of the students asked while the others immediately pressed their phones to look it up online. Linda, on the other hand, kept her gaze fixed on me and noticed there was something off about me. I was having this assurance, this backing, like I could do anything and everything I wanted to. She still didn't believe how a boy who had nothing yesterday could suddenly be able to transfer a huge amount of money into the school account, buying himself a spot in the elite world. She knew it was too lat

I kept my gaze on the student standing across the hallway, a flicker of recognition in my eyes. The boy seemed ordinary enough—tall, slender, wearing a faded school uniform—but there was something in the way he stared at me, an intensity that made me uneasy. Was he the one sending those cryptic messages? Before I could approach him, the boy turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowded hallway. I felt a surge of frustration. I was surrounded by people, yet I felt like I was being isolated in this game Ethan was playing. I knew I needed answers, and fast. As I stepped out of the school building, I received another message from the unknown number. [Unknown Number: Meet me at the old café on Elm Street. If you want to know what Ethan's really planning, come alone.] My jaw clenched. I couldn’t ignore this message; whoever this person was, they seemed to have insights into Ethan’s moves. I quickly flagged down a cab, my mind racing with questions. Could this be another trap? Was